INTRODUCTION
We are a leading global provider of satellite-based broadband communications. We design and manufacture ground-based satellite communications equipment and provide comprehensive solutions and end-to-end services powered by our innovative technology. Our portfolio includes a cloud-based satellite network platform, Very Small Aperture Terminals, or VSATs, amplifiers, high-speed modems, high-performance on-the-move antennas, and high efficiency, high power Solid State Power Amplifiers, or SSPAs, Block Upconverters, or BUCs, and Transceivers. Our comprehensive solutions support multiple applications with a full portfolio of products to address key applications, including broadband internet access, cellular backhaul over satellite, enterprise, social inclusion solutions, In-Flight-Connectivity, or IFC, maritime, trains, defense, and public safety, all while meeting the most stringent service level requirements. We have a large installed base, and currently have hundreds of active networks.
We provide managed network and services through satellite and terrestrial networks in addition to developing and marketing ground-based satellite communications equipment. We have proven experience in delivering complex projects and services worldwide. We offer complete turnkey integrated solutions, including:
| ◾ | Managed satellite network services solutions, including services over our own networks (which may include satellite capacity); |
| ◾ | Network planning and optimization; |
| ◾ | Remote network operation; |
| ◾ | Hub and field operations; and |
| ◾ | Construction and installation of communication networks, typically on a Build, Operate and Transfer, or BOT, or Build, Operate and Own, or BOO, contract basis. |
In these BOT and BOO projects, we build telecommunication infrastructure typically using fiber-optic and wireless technologies for broadband connectivity.
We have 15 sales and support offices worldwide, three Network Operation Centers, or NOCs, and five R&D centers. Our products are sold to communication service providers, satellite operators, Mobile Network Operators, or MNOs, and system integrators that use satellite communications to serve enterprise, social inclusion solutions, government and residential users, MNOs and system integrators that use our technology. Our solutions and services are also sold to defense and homeland security organizations. In addition, we provide services directly to end-users in various market segments, including in certain countries in Latin America.
From 2018 through 2021, we operated in three operating segments, comprised of our Fixed Networks, Mobility Solutions and Terrestrial Infrastructure Projects:
| • | Fixed Networks provides advanced fixed broadband satellite communication networks, satellite communication systems and associated professional services and comprehensive turnkey solutions (which may include in certain instances managed satellite network services). Our customers are service providers, satellite operators, MNOs, telecommunication companies, or Telcos, and large enterprises and governments worldwide. In addition, it includes our network operation and managed networks and services in Peru. We focus on high throughput satellites, or HTS, and very high throughput satellites, or VHTS, and Non GEO-Stationary Orbit satellite constellation networks, or NGSOs, opportunities worldwide. Principal applications include cellular backhaul, social inclusion solutions, government, defense and enterprise networks and drive meaningful partnerships with satellite operators to leverage our technology and breadth of services to deploy and operate the ground-based satellite communication networks. |
| • | Mobility Solutions provides advanced on-the-move satellite communications equipment, systems, and solutions, including airborne, maritime, gateways and ground-mobile satellite systems and solutions. This operating segment provides solutions for land, sea and air connectivity, focusing on the high-growth IFC market, with our unique leading technology as well as defense and homeland security activities. Our product portfolio includes a leading network platform with high-speed VSATs, high performance on-the-move antennas and high efficiency, high power SSPAs, BUCs and transceivers. Our customers are satellite operators, service providers, system integrators, defense and homeland security organizations, as well as other commercial entities worldwide. |
| • | Terrestrial Infrastructure Projects provides fiber and wireless network infrastructure construction of the Programa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (Pronatel), or PRONATEL, in Peru. |
Commencing in the first quarter of 2022, to reflect our new management’s approach to the management of our operations, organizational alignment, customer base and end markets, we operate in three operating segments, as follows:
| • | Satellite Networks is focused on developing and supplying networks that are used as the platform that enables the latest satellite constellations of HTS, VHTS and NGSO opportunities worldwide. We provide advanced broadband satellite communication networks and associated professional services and comprehensive turnkey solutions and managed satellite network services solutions. Our customers are service providers, satellite operators, MNOs, Telcos, large enterprises, system integrators, defense, homeland security organizations, and governments worldwide. Principal applications include In-Flight-Connectivity, cellular backhaul, maritime, social inclusion solutions, government, defense and enterprise networks and are driving meaningful partnerships with satellite operators to leverage our technology and breadth of services to deploy and operate the ground-based satellite communication networks. Our product portfolio includes a leading satellite network platform with high-speed VSATs, high-performance on-the-move antennas, BUCs, and transceivers. |
| • | Integrated Solutions is focused on developing, manufacturing, and supplying products and solutions for mission-critical defense and broadcast satellite communications systems, advanced on-the-move and on-the-pause satellite communications equipment, systems and solutions, including airborne, ground-mobile satellite systems and solutions. The integrated solutions product portfolio comprises of leading high-efficiency, high-power SSPAs, BUCs and transceivers with a field-proven, high-performance variety of frequency bands. Our customers are satellite operators, In-Flight Connectivity service providers, defense and homeland security system integrators, and NGSO gateway integrators. |
| • | Network Infrastructure and Services is focused on telecom operation and implementation of large-scale network projects in Peru. We provide terrestrial (fiber optic and wireless network) and satellite network construction and operation. We serve our customers through technology integration, managed networks and services, connectivity services, internet access and telephony over our own networks. We implement projects using various technologies (including our equipment), mainly based on BOT and BOO contracts. |
We concluded that the change in our reporting segments, as described above, does not require goodwill re-assignment.
Our ordinary shares are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “GILT” and on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, or the TASE. As used in this annual report, the terms “we”, “us”, “Gilat” and “our” mean Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated.
The marks “Gilat®”, “SkyEdge®”, “Wavestream®”, “AeroStream®”, “Raysat®”, “SatTrooperTM”, and “Spatial AdvantEdge™” and other marks appearing in this annual report on Form 20-F are trademarks of our company and its subsidiaries. Other trademarks appearing in this Annual Report on Form 20-F are owned by their respective holders.
This Annual Report on Form 20-F contains various “forward‑looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Such forward-looking statements reflect our current view with respect to future events and, financial results of operations. Forward-looking statements usually include the verbs, “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “understands” and other verbs suggesting uncertainty. We remind readers that forward-looking statements are merely predictions and therefore inherently subject to uncertainties and other factors and involve known and unknown risks that could cause the actual` results, performance, levels of activity, or our achievements, or industry results to be materially different from any future results, performance, levels of activity, or our achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward‑looking statements which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. We have attempted to identify additional significant uncertainties and other factors affecting forward-looking statements in the Risk Factors section which appears in Item 3D: “Key Information–Risk Factors”.
Our consolidated financial statements appearing in this annual report are prepared in U.S. dollars and in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP. All references in this annual report to “dollars” or “$” are to U.S. dollars and all references in this annual report to “NIS” are to New Israeli Shekels.
Statements made in this Annual Report concerning the contents of any contract, agreement or other document are summaries of such contracts, agreements or documents and are not complete descriptions of all of their terms. If we filed any of these documents as an exhibit to this Annual Report or to any registration statement or annual report that we previously filed, you may read the document itself for a complete description of its terms.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. | Reserved | 1 |
B. | Capitalization and Indebtedness | 1 |
C.
| Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds | 1 |
D.
| Risk Factors | 1 |
A.
| History and Development of the Company | 24 |
B. | Business Overview | 25 |
C. | Organizational Structure | 42 |
D. | Property, Plants and Equipment | 42 |
A.
| | 43 |
B. | Liquidity and Capital Resources | 51 |
C.
| | 53 |
D. | | 54 |
E.
| Critical Accounting Estimates | 56 |
| A. | Directors and Senior Management | 60 |
| B. | Compensation of Directors and Officers | 64 |
| C. | Board Practices | 67 |
| D. | Employees | 75 |
| E. | Share Ownership | 76 |
| A. | Major Shareholders | 77 |
| B. | Related Party Transactions | 79 |
| C. | Interests of Experts and Counsel | 79 |
| A. | Offer and Listing Details | 81 |
| B. | Plan of Distribution | 81 |
| C. | Markets | 81 |
| D. | Selling Shareholders | 81 |
| E. | Dilution | 81 |
F.
| Expense of the Issue | 81 |
| A. | Share Capital | 81 |
| B. | Memorandum and Articles of Association | 82
|
| C. | Material Contracts | 82
|
| D. | Exchange Controls | 83
|
| E. | Taxation | 83
|
| F. | Dividend and Paying Agents | 92
|
| G. | Statement by Experts | 92
|
| H. | Documents on Display | 92
|
I.
| Subsidiary Information | 93
|
PART I
| ITEM 1: | IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORS |
Not Applicable.
| ITEM 2: | OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE |
Not Applicable.
| B. | Capitalization and Indebtedness |
Not applicable.
| C. | Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds |
Not applicable
Investing in our ordinary shares involves a high degree of risk and uncertainty. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below before investing in our ordinary shares. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations could be materially harmed. In that case, the value of our ordinary shares could decline substantially, and you could lose all or part of your investment. These risks include, but are not limited to, the following:
Risks Relating to Our Business
| • | A significant portion of our revenue in 2022 was attributable to a limited number of customers. |
| • | A failure to deliver upon our large-scale projects in an economical and a timely manner, or a delay in collection of payments due to us in connection with any such large-scale project could have a significant adverse impact on our operating results. |
| • | The continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are highly unpredictable and could be significant, and the duration and extent to which this will impact our future results of operations and overall financial performance remains uncertain. |
| • | In the past, we incurred major losses and we may not be able to continue to operate profitably in the future. |
| • | Our available cash balance may decrease in the future if we cannot generate cash from operations. |
| • | If the satellite communications markets fail to grow, our business could be materially harmed. |
| • | Because we compete for largescale contracts in competitive bidding processes, losing a small number of bids or a decrease in the revenues generated from our large-scale projects could have a significant adverse impact on our operating results. |
| • | A large portion of our large-scale contracts are with governments or large governmental agencies in Latin America and any volatility in the political or economic climate or any unexpected unilateral termination, or suspension of payments could have a significant adverse impact on our business. |
| • | Actual results could materially differ from the estimates and assumptions that we use to prepare our financial statements. |
| • | Tax authorities may disagree with our provisions and payments related to income taxes, deduction of withholding taxes, intercompany charges, cross-jurisdictional transfer pricing or other matters which could result in our being assessed additional taxes. |
| • | Our insurance coverage may not be sufficient for every aspect or risk related to our business. |
| • | We operate in the highly competitive industry and may be unsuccessful in competing effectively in the future. |
| • | Our lengthy sales cycles could harm our results of operations if forecasted sales are delayed or do not occur. |
| • | We may enter into acquisition agreements, and such acquisitions, could be difficult to integrate, disrupt our business and dilute shareholder value. |
| • | If we are unable to competitively operate within the network communications market and respond to new technologies, our business could be adversely affected. |
| • | If we are unable to competitively operate within the GEO, HTS/VHTS, and NGSO satellite environments, our business could be adversely affected. |
| • | We are dependent upon a limited number of suppliers for key components that are incorporated in our products, and may be significantly harmed if we are unable to obtain such components on favorable terms or on a timely basis. We are also affected by global supply chain disruptions and price increases and may be affected by the military situation in Ukraine. |
| • | We are dependent upon a limited number of suppliers of space segment, or transponder capacity and may be significantly harmed if we are unable to obtain the space segment for the provision of services on favorable terms or on a timely basis. |
| • | Our failure to obtain or maintain authorizations under the U.S. export control and trade sanctions laws and export regulations and restrictions or Israel’s enhanced export control regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business. |
| • | We are dependent on our management team, especially managers of our large entities around the world, as well as on our key employees, and the loss of one or more of them could harm our business and prevent us from implementing our business plan in a timely manner. |
| • | We may be unable to adequately protect our proprietary rights, which may limit our ability to compete effectively. |
| • | Failure to protect against cyber-attacks, natural disasters or terrorist attacks, and failures of our information technology systems, infrastructure and data could have an adverse effect on our business. |
| • | Our international sales and business expose us to changes in foreign regulations and tariffs, tax exposures, inflation, political instability and other risks inherent to international business, any of which could adversely affect our operations. |
| • | Unfavorable global and regional economic, political and health conditions could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. |
| • | Increasing scrutiny and changing expectations from investors, lenders, customers and other market participants with respect to our Environmental, Social and Governance, or ESG, policies may impose additional costs on us or expose us to additional risks. |
| • | We may face difficulties in obtaining regulatory approvals for our telecommunication services and products, which could adversely affect our operations. |
| • | Currency exchange rates and fluctuations of currency exchange rates may adversely affect our results of operations, liabilities, and assets. |
| • | We may be subject to claims by third parties alleging that we infringe intellectual property owned by them. We may be required to commence litigation to protect our intellectual property rights. Any intellectual property litigation may continue for an extended period and may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results. |
| • | Potential liability claims relating to our products or services could have a material adverse effect on our business. |
| • | Environmental laws and regulations may subject us to significant liability. |
| • | We may suffer from a short-term decrease in our revenues due to customers shifting to our SkyEdge IV next generation system. |
Risks Related to Ownership of Our Ordinary Shares
| • | We identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, which we believe have been remediated in the year ended in December 31, 2022. If we experience material weaknesses or other deficiencies in the future or otherwise fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to accurately and timely report our financial results, which could cause shareholders to lose confidence in our financial and other public reporting, and adversely affect our share price. |
| • | If we are unable to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the reliability of our financial statements may be questioned and our share price may suffer. |
| • | Our share price has been highly volatile and may continue to be volatile and decline. |
| • | Our operating results may vary significantly from quarter to quarter and from year to year and these quarterly and yearly variations in operating results, as well as other factors, may contribute to the volatility of the market price of our shares. |
| • | We may in the future be classified as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, which would subject our U.S. investors to adverse tax rules. |
| • | Future sales of our ordinary shares and the future exercise of options may cause the market price of our ordinary shares to decline and may result in a substantial dilution. |
| • | Certain of our shareholders beneficially own a substantial percentage of our ordinary shares. |
| • | No assurance can be given that we will distribute dividends in the future. |
| • | Our ordinary shares are traded on more than one market and this may result in price variations. |
Risks Related to Our Location in Israel
| • | Political and economic conditions in Israel may limit our ability to produce and sell our products. This could have a material adverse effect on our operations and business condition, harm our results of operations and adversely affect our share price. |
| • | Your rights and responsibilities as a shareholder are governed by Israeli law and differ in some respects from those under Delaware law. |
| • | As a foreign private issuer whose shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, we follow certain home country corporate governance practices instead of certain NASDAQ requirements, which may not afford shareholders with the same protections that shareholders of domestic companies have. |
| • | Our results of operations may be negatively affected by the obligation of our personnel to perform military service. |
| • | You may not be able to enforce civil liabilities in the U.S. against our officers and directors. |
| • | Under current Israeli law, U.S. law and the laws of other jurisdictions, we may not be able to enforce covenants not to compete and therefore may be unable to prevent our competitors from benefiting from the expertise of some of our former employees. |
Risks Relating to Our Business
A significant portion of our revenue in 2022 was attributable to a limited number of customers.
We depend on several large-scale contracts for a significant percentage of our revenues. In 2022, a significant portion of our revenue was attributable to our contracts with a major U.S. satellite telecommunication company and with a Peruvian governmental authority, PRONATEL, mainly with respect to six regions in Peru, or the PRONATEL Regional Projects. Our sales to our U.S. major satellite telecommunication customer, accounted for approximately 13% of our revenue in the year ended December 31, 2022. Our sales to PRONATEL accounted for approximately 21% of our revenue in the year ended December 31, 2022.
The PRONATEL Regional Projects, which were awarded to us in 2015 and in 2018, are of contractual value of $395 million and $154 million, respectively. The expected duration of the PRONATEL Regional Projects was significantly prolonged from their scheduled delivery dates due to continued delays in the construction phase. In addition, due to preventative measures taken by Peruvian governmental authorities with respect to COVID-19, certain restrictions and lockdowns were imposed which resulted in additional delays in progress of the PRONATEL Regional Projects, which are expected to continue for approximately 14-16 years. Recently, political turmoil following the ouster and arrest of Peruvian President Pedro Castillo. Peru's new appointed president, Dina Boluarte, declared a nationwide state of emergency in December, suspending some civil liberties such as the right to assembly. While Lima, the capital, has seen some protests they have been centered in the rural Andes. If continued, it is likely that the political turmoil will adversely affect our operations in Peru, delaying even further existing projects and postpone PRONATEL decision to enter new ones. See Item 4.B. – “Information on the Company – Business Overview – Network Infrastructure and Services – Overview”. If we fail to deliver in a timely manner upon any of our large contracts or if any of these or other large customers were to terminate their existing contracts with us or substantially reduce the services or quantity of products they purchase from us, our revenues and operating results could be materially adversely affected. Additionally, a recession, depression, excessive inflation or other sustained adverse market events resulting from the spread of COVID-19 could materially and adversely affect our business and that of our customers or potential customers.
A failure to deliver upon our large-scale projects in an economical and a timely manner, or a delay in collection of payments due to us in connection with any such large-scale project could have a significant adverse impact on our operating results.
We have been awarded a number of large-scale projects by our customers, including foreign governments, such as the Peruvian PRONATEL Regional Projects in 2015 and in 2018 and contracts with a major U.S. satellite telecommunication company, and with a large U.S. system integrator and with a government owned Telco. While we have successfully implemented large-scale network infrastructure projects and operations in rural areas, the PRONATEL Regional Projects as well as other projects are complex and require cooperation of third parties. Additionally, the delivery of our large-scale projects requires us to invest significant funds in order to obtain bank guarantees and requires us to incur significant expenses before we receive full payment from our customers. Failure to execute these projects in an economical manner within the projects’ budgets and schedules could result in significant penalties, impact our ability to receive and recognize the expected revenues, reduce our cash balance, and cause us losses, which would significantly adversely impact our operating results. The overall expected duration of the 2015 and 2018 PRONATEL Regional Projects was significantly prolonged from their scheduled delivery dates as explained above The construction phase of the first four PRONATEL Regional Projects was accepted by PRONATEL during 2019 and 2021 and we have entered into the operation phase with respect to these projects. If we fail to complete the remaining two projects in a timely manner or are unable to reach such agreement with PRONATEL for the other projects, we could incur significant penalties which will have a significant adverse effect on our business and financial results.
The continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are highly unpredictable and could be significant, and the duration and extent to which this will impact our future results of operations and overall financial performance remains uncertain.
During the years 2020 and 2021 the COVID-19 pandemic had an adverse effect on our industry and the markets in which we operate. During that time, the COVID-19 outbreak significantly impacted the travel and aviation markets in which our significant IFC customers operate and resulted in a significant reduction of our business with some of these customers. We also experienced postponed and delayed orders in certain other areas of our businesses. Further, the guidance of social distancing, lockdowns, quarantines and the requirements to work from home in various key territories such as Israel, Peru, California, Australia, Bulgaria, China and other countries, in addition to greatly reduced travel globally, resulted in a substantial curtailment of business activities, which affected our ability to conduct fieldwork as well as deliver products and services in the areas where restrictions were implemented by the local governments. In addition, certain of our sales and support teams were unable to travel or meet with customers and the pandemic threat caused operating, manufacturing, supply chain and project development delays and disruptions, labor shortages, travel and shipping disruptions and shutdowns (including as a result of government regulation and prevention measures). As a result, we experienced a significant reduction in business in 2020. The regression of the pandemic during 2022, followed by lifting of travel restrictions and social distancing regulations, led to a recovery in our business. In the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, our revenue was $240 million, compared to $215 million in the comparable period of 2021, and $166 million in the comparable period of 2020.
The potential long-term impact and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy and our business continue to be difficult to assess or predict. Related public health and safety measures have resulted in significant social disruption and have had an adverse effect on economic conditions and spending, inflation, interest rates, and business investment, all of which have affected our business. In addition, the cessation of certain health and safety measures initiated in response to the pandemic has likely resulted in lower demand for our services. Moreover, we may also experience business disruption if the operations of our contractors, vendors or business partners are adversely affected.
In the past, we incurred major losses and we may not be able to continue to operate profitably in the future.
We achieved net income in the fiscal years 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, but incurred major losses in certain years prior to fiscal 2017. In 2020 we incurred an operating loss (excluding the payment received from Comtech as described below) and in 2021, we had a net loss of $3.03 million. In 2020, our net income was $35.1 million, which was attributable to our receipt of $53.6 million, net of related expenses, in connection with our settlement with Comtech Telecommunications Corp., or Comtech, in connection with the termination of the merger agreement we entered into with Comtech in 2020, or the Merger Agreement. Excluding the payment received from Comtech, net of related expenses, we would have incurred a net loss of $18.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2020. We have an accumulated deficit of $683.8 million. We cannot assure you that we can operate profitably in the future. If we do not continue to operate profitably, our share price will decline, and the viability of our company will be in question.
Our available cash balance may decrease in the future if we cannot generate cash from operations.
Our cash, cash equivalents including restricted cash as of December 31, 2022 were $87.1 million compared to $84.4 million as of December 31, 2021. Our positive cash flow (including restricted cash) from operating activities was approximately $10.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2022. In the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 we had positive cash flow from operating activities of $18.9 million and $43.2 million (including $53.6 million received from Comtech in connection with our settlement agreement), respectively. If we do not generate sufficient cash from operations in the future, including from our large-scale projects, our cash balance will decline, and the unavailability of cash could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
The delivery of our large-scale projects requires us to invest significant funds in order to obtain bank guarantees and may require us to incur significant expenses before we receive full payment from our customers. This applies mainly to the 2015 and 2018 PRONATEL Regional Projects, which has initial contractual values of $395 million and $154 million, respectively. The revenues from these projects are expected to be generated over a period of 14-16 years. We have used the advance payments received from PRONATEL as well as internal cash resources in order to finance the PRONATEL Regional Projects, and may need to significantly increase the internal cash resources used for further investment in the PRONATEL Regional Projects. We have used surety bonds and our internal resources in order to provide the required bank guarantees for the PRONATEL Regional Projects, which were approximately $58 million in the aggregate as of December 31, 2022. If we fail to obtain the necessary funding or if we fail to obtain such funds on favorable terms, we will not be able to meet our commitments and our cash flow and operational results may be adversely affected.
If the satellite communications markets fail to grow, our business could be materially harmed.
Movement towards NGSO satellite constellation networks may reduce the market size for geostationary satellite, or GEO, technology and services. It is difficult to predict the rate at which these emerging markets will grow or decline and there is no assurance that we will be able to further expand our penetration into the NGSO market. In addition, any significant improvement or increase in the amount of terrestrial capacity which are sought by many companies, particularly with respect to the existing fiber optic cable infrastructure and point-to-point microwave, may cause our fixed networks’ customers to shift their transmissions to terrestrial capacity or make it more difficult for us to obtain new customers. If fiber optic cable networks or other terrestrial-based high-capacity transmission systems are available to service a particular point, that capacity, when available, is generally less expensive than satellite capacity. As terrestrial-based telecommunications services expand, demand for some fixed satellite-based services may be reduced.
If the markets for commercial satellite communications products fail to grow, or if we fail to further expand our penetration into the NGSO market operating in low earth orbits, or LEO, and in medium earth orbits, or MEO, our business could be materially harmed. Conversely, growth in these markets could come at the expense of geostationary satellite capacity markets, which in turn could materially harm our business and impair the value of our shares. Specifically, we derive most of our revenues from sales of satellite-based communications networks and related equipment and provision of services related to these networks and products a significant decline in this market or the replacement of VSAT and other satellite-based technologies by an alternative technology could materially harm our business and impair the value of our shares.
Because we compete for large‑scale contracts in competitive bidding processes, losing a small number of bids or a decrease in the revenues generated from our large-scale projects could have a significant adverse impact on our operating results.
A significant portion of our revenues is derived from large-scale contracts that we are awarded from time to time in competitive bidding processes. The bidding process sometimes requires us to make significant investments upfront, while the final award is not assured. These large‑scale contracts sometimes involve the installation of thousands of VSATs or massive fiber-optic transport and access networks or production of customized products. The number of major bids for these large‑scale contracts for satellite-based networks and massive telecommunications infrastructure projects in any given year is limited and the competition is intense. Losing or defaulting on a relatively small number of bids each year could have a significant adverse impact on our operating results.
A large portion of our large-scale contracts are with governments or large governmental agencies in Latin America and any volatility in the political or economic climate or any unexpected unilateral termination, or suspension of payments could have a significant adverse impact on our business.
In March and December 2015, the Peruvian government awarded us the PRONATEL Regional Projects under four separate bids for the construction of networks, operation of the networks for a defined period and their transfer to the government. In 2018, we were awarded two additional PRONATEL Regional Projects with initial contractual values of $395 million and $154 million, respectively. The revenues from these projects are expected to be generated over a period of 14-16 years.
Recently, political turmoil followed the ouster and arrest of Peruvian President Pedro Castillo. Peru's newly appointed president, Dina Boluarte, declared a nationwide state of emergency in December, suspending some civil liberties such as the right to assembly. While Lima, the capital of Peru, has seen some protests they have been centered in the rural Andes. If continued, it is likely that the political turmoil will adversely affect our operations in Peru, delaying even further existing projects and postpone PRONATEL decision to enter new ones.
Agreements with the governments in these countries typically include unilateral early termination clauses and involve other risks such as the imposition of new government regulations and taxation that could pose additional financial burdens on us. Changes in the political or economic situation in these countries can result in the early termination of our business there, or materially adversely affect our ability to successfully complete our projects. Any termination of our business in any of the aforementioned countries or breach of contractual obligations by our customers could have a significant adverse impact on our business. See Item 4.B. – “Information on the Company – Business Overview – Network Infrastructure and Services – Overview”.
Actual results could materially differ from the estimates and assumptions that we use to prepare our financial statements.
In order to prepare our financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”), our management is required to make estimates and assumptions, as of the date of the financial statements, which affect the reported values of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Main areas that require significant estimates and assumptions by our management include contract costs, revenues (including variable consideration) and profits or losses, application of percentage-of-completion accounting, provisions for uncollectible receivables and customer claims, impairment of inventories, impairment of long-lived assets, useful life of long-lived assets, goodwill impairment, valuation allowance in respect of deferred tax assets, uncertain tax positions, valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with business combinations, accruals for estimated liabilities, including litigation and insurance reserves, and stock-based compensation. Our actual results could materially differ from, and could require adjustments to, those estimates.
In particular, we recognize revenues generated from some projects using the percentage-of-completion method. Under this method, estimated revenue is recognized by applying the percentage of completion of the contract for the period (based on the ratio of costs incurred to total estimated costs of the contract) to the total estimated revenue for the contract. As a result, revisions made to the estimates of revenues and profits are recorded in the period in which the conditions that require such revisions become known and can be estimated.
Although we believe that our financial statements are correct, that our profit margins are fairly stated and that adequate provisions for losses for fixed-price contracts are recorded in our financial statements, as required under U.S. GAAP, we cannot assure you that our contract profit margins will not decrease or that any loss provisions will not increase materially in the future.
Tax authorities may disagree with our provisions and payments related to income taxes, deduction of withholding taxes, intercompany charges, cross-jurisdictional transfer pricing or other matters which could result in our being assessed additional taxes.
We are subject to taxation in the United States, Israel, Latin America (mainly Peru, Brazil and Colombia) and numerous other jurisdictions, including with respect to income taxes, obligations to withhold taxes and other tax matters. Determining our provision for the various taxes requires significant management judgment. In addition, our provision for income taxes could be adversely affected by many factors, including, among other things, changes to our operating structure, changes in the amounts of earnings in jurisdictions with different statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities and changes in tax laws. We are subject to ongoing tax examinations in various jurisdictions Tax authorities may disagree with our intercompany charges, claimed credits, cross-jurisdictional transfer pricing, deduction of withholding taxes or other matters and assess additional taxes. While we regularly evaluate the likely outcomes of these examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes, there can be no assurance that the outcomes of such examinations will not have a material impact on our results of operations and cash flows. Among other factors, an ambiguity could exist in cases where services are provided across countries, such as satellite capacity which is provided from a satellite operated by a company incorporated in a certain country and is received in a different country by another company which may be required to withhold taxes on the provided capacity services. While we follow the guidelines of the relevant tax authority, where available, there is no assurance that such guidelines will ultimately be determined to be binding by the relevant authorities or acceptable in the local courts of law. In addition, we may be audited in various jurisdictions, and such jurisdictions may assess additional taxes against us. Although we believe our tax estimates are reasonable, the final determination of any tax audit or litigation could be materially different from our historical tax provisions and accruals, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or cash flows in the period or periods for which a determination is made. Further, subsequent legislations, guidance, court rulings or regulations that differ from our prior assumptions and interpretations, or other factors which were not anticipated at the time we estimated our tax provision, payments and deduction of withholdings could have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flow, results of operations or financial condition.
Our insurance coverage may not be sufficient for every aspect or risk related to our business.
Our business includes risks, only some of which are covered by our insurance. For example, in our satellite capacity agreements, we do not have a backup for satellite capacity, and we do not have indemnification or insurance in the event that our supplier’s satellite malfunctions or data is lost. Satellites utilize highly complex technology and operate in the harsh environment of space and therefore are subject to significant operational risks while in orbit. The risks include in-orbit equipment failures, malfunctions and other kinds of problems commonly referred to as anomalies. Satellite anomalies include, for example, circuit failures, transponder failures, solar array failures, telemetry transmitter failures, battery cell and other power system failures, satellite control system failures and propulsion system failures. Liabilities in connection with our products, services, managed networks services, premises, construction and deployment projects, or in connection with risks associated with potential cyber-attacks may not be covered by insurance or may be covered only to a limited extent. Our third-party suppliers do not always have back-to-back liability or insurance coverage to the same extent guaranteed by us towards our customers. In addition, our insurance does not provide coverage for acts of fraud or theft. Our business, financial condition and operating results could be materially adversely affected if we incur significant costs resulting from these exposures.
We operate in the highly competitive industry and may be unsuccessful in competing effectively in the future.
We operate in a highly competitive industry of network communications, both in the sales of our products and our services. As a result of the rapid technological changes that characterize our industry, we face intense worldwide competition to capitalize on new opportunities, to introduce new products and to obtain proprietary and standard technologies perceived by the market as superior to those of our competitors.
The network communication market is dominated by larger corporations. As part of the consolidation trend in the market, we are in competition with greater consolidated corporations. Some of our competitors have greater financial resources, providing them with greater research and development and marketing capabilities. Our competitors may also be more experienced in obtaining regulatory approvals for their products and services and marketing them. Our relative position in the network communications industry may place us at a disadvantage in responding to our competitors’ pricing strategies, technological advances and other initiatives. Our principal competitors in the supply of VSAT networks are Hughes Network Systems, LLC (owned by EchoStar Corporation), or HNS, ViaSat Inc., or ViaSat, Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd., or ST Engineering iDirect, Comtech Telecommunications Corp and UHP Networks Inc. (being acquired by Comtech), or UHP. Speedcast Communications Inc., or Speedcast, SES S.A., or SES, Oneweb Communication Limited, or Oneweb, Eutelsat S.A., or Eutelsat, and Intelsat are our principal competitors in the provision of managed satellite network services solutions. Most of our competitors have developed or adopted different technology standards for their VSAT products. Our primary competitors with respect to our BUCs and other Wavestream products are Communications & Power Industries LLC, or CPI, General Dynamics Satcom Technologies, Paradise Datacom, Comtech Xicom Technology Inc., or Xicom, and Mission Microwave Technologies.
Our low-profile in-motion ground, aero and maritime antennas target a competitive market with multiple players such as Honeywell, Astronics AeroSat Corporation, or AeroSat, Qest Quantum Electronic Systems GmbH or Qest, Tecom Industries, Inc., or Tecom, GetSAT Communication Ltd., or GetSat, and Thinkom Solutions or Thinkom. Competitors in the defense sector include General Dynamics Satcom Technologies, Orbit Communication Systems, or Orbit, Elbit Systems Ltd., or Elbit, and L3Harris Technologies, Inc. or L3Harris. Multiple additional competitors are entering the low-profile in-motion arena and specifically electronically steered antenna market, some with new and advanced technologies (for example Satixfy; Stellar Blue; JNS). If these new entrants and/or new technologies are able to significantly penetrate the market our business could be negatively affected.
In addition, ViaSat, HNS, and Oneweb have launched their own satellites, which enable them to offer vertically integrated solutions to their customers, which may further change the competitive environment in which we operate and could have an adverse effect on our business.
In areas where we operate public rural telecom services (voice, data and internet) and are engaged in construction of fiber-optic transport and access networks based on wireless systems, we typically encounter competition on government subsidized bids from various service providers, system integrators and consortiums. Some of these competitors offer solutions based on VSAT technology and some on terrestrial technologies (typically, fiber-optic and wireless technologies). In addition, as competing technologies such as cellular network and fiber-optic become available in rural areas where not previously available, our business could be adversely affected. We may not be able to compete successfully against current or future competitors. Such competition may adversely affect our future revenues and, consequently, our business, operating results and financial condition.
Our lengthy sales cycles could harm our results of operations if forecasted sales are delayed or do not occur.
The length of time between the date of initial contact with a potential customer or sponsor and the execution of a contract with the potential customer or sponsor may be lengthy and vary significantly depending on the nature of the arrangement. During any given sales cycle, we may expend substantial funds and management resources and not obtain significant revenue, resulting in a negative impact on our operating results. In some cases, we have seen longer sales cycles in all of the regions in which we do business. In addition, we have seen projects delayed or even canceled, which would also have an adverse impact on our sales cycles. As a result, it may be difficult for us to accurately forecast sales due to the uncertainty around these projects and their award and starting periods.
We may enter into acquisition agreements, and such acquisitions could be difficult to integrate, disrupt our business and dilute shareholder value.
We may from time to time seek to acquire businesses that enhance our capabilities and add new technologies, products, services and customers to our existing businesses. We may not be able to identify acquisition candidates on commercially reasonable terms or at all. If we make additional business acquisitions or enter into a merger agreement, we may not be able to successfully consummate and close the merger agreement, or integrate the business acquired or we might not realize the benefits anticipated from these acquisitions or sales, including sales growth, cost synergies and improving margins. Furthermore, we might not be able to obtain additional financing for business acquisitions, since such additional financing could be restricted or limited by the terms of our debt agreements or due to unfavorable capital market conditions. Once integrated, acquisitions may not achieve comparable levels of revenues, profitability or productivity as our existing business or otherwise perform as expected. The occurrence of any of these events could harm our business, financial condition or results of operations.
On January 29, 2020 we entered into a merger agreement with Comtech and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Comtech, for the merger of its subsidiary with and into our Company. Following a dispute between the parties, including litigation in the Chancery Court of Delaware, the parties agreed to terminate the merger agreement in October 2020 and Comtech paid us $70 million in settlement of the dispute. If we determine to seek other opportunities for business consolidation, we may not be able to negotiate and consummate a transaction on terms comparable to, or better than, the terms of that agreement.
The risks associated with mergers or acquisitions by us include the following, any of which could seriously harm our results of operations or the price of our shares:
| • | issuance of equity securities as consideration for acquisitions that would dilute our current shareholders’ percentages of ownership; |
| • | significant acquisition costs; |
| • | decrease of our cash balance; |
| • | the incurrence of debt and contingent liabilities; |
| • | difficulties in the assimilation and integration of operations, personnel, technologies, products and information systems of the acquired companies; |
| • | diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns; |
| • | risks of entering geographic and business markets in which we have no or only limited prior experience; |
| • | potential loss of key employees of acquired organizations or loss of customers; |
| • | the possibility that business cultures will not be compatible; |
| • | the difficulty of incorporating acquired technology and rights into our products and services; |
| • | unanticipated expenses related to integration of the acquired companies; and |
| • | difficulties in implementing and maintaining uniform standards, controls and policies. |
Any of these events would likely result in a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows and financial position.
If we are unable to competitively operate within the network communications market and respond to new technologies, our business could be adversely affected.
The network communications market, which our products and services target, is characterized by rapid technological changes, new product introductions and evolving industry standards. For example, cloud-based technologies, and new 5G Non Terrestrial Networks standards. If we fail to stay abreast of significant technological changes, our existing products and technology could be rendered obsolete. Historically, we have endeavored to enhance the applications of our existing products to meet the technological changes and industry standards. Our success is dependent upon our ability to continue to develop new innovative products, applications and services and meet developing market needs.
To remain competitive in the network communications market, we must continue to be able to anticipate changes in technology, market demands and industry standards and to develop and introduce new products, applications and services, as well as enhancements to our existing products, applications and services. Competitors in satellite ground equipment market, low-profile antenna market and high-power transceivers market are introducing new and improved products and our ability to remain competitive in this field will depend in part on our ability to advance our own technology. New communications networks that integrate satellites operating in low or medium earth orbits may compete significantly with current networks and may reduce the market prices and success of our current products until such time as we adapt our technology to support NGSO satellites. If we are unable to respond to technological advances on a cost-effective and timely basis, or if our new products or applications are not accepted by the market, our business, financial condition and operating results could be adversely affected.
If we are unable to competitively operate within the GEO, HTS/VHTS, and NGSO satellite environments, our business could be adversely affected.
Due to the current nature of the HTS solution where the initial investment in ground-based satellite communication gateway equipment is relatively high, ground-based satellite communication equipment effectively becomes tightly coupled to the specific satellite technology. As such, there may be circumstances where it is difficult for competitors to compete with the incumbent VSAT vendor using the particular HTS satellite. If this occurs, the market dynamics may change to favor a VSAT vendor partnering with the satellite service provider, which may decrease the number of vendors who may be able to succeed. We believe that this trend will intensify as the market moves toward VHTS and NGSO constellation networks. If we are unable to forge such a partnership our business could be adversely affected.
Although we have entered the HTS market with what we believe to be leading HTS VSAT technology, we expect that our penetration into that market will be gradual and our success is not assured. In addition, our competitors, who are producing large numbers of VSATs, may benefit from cost advantages. If we are unable to reduce our VSAT costs sufficiently, we may not be competitive in the international market. We also expect that competition in this industry will continue to increase.
We are dependent upon a limited number of suppliers for key components that are incorporated in our products, and may be significantly harmed if we are unable to obtain such components on favorable terms or on a timely basis. We are also affected by global supply chain disruptions and price increases and may be affected by the military situation in Ukraine.
Several of the components required to build our products are manufactured by a limited number of suppliers. Although we have managed to solve the difficulties we experienced in the past with our suppliers with respect to availability of components, we cannot assure the continued availability of key components or our ability to forecast our component requirements sufficiently in advance. Although we are working with our suppliers to obtain components for our products on favorable terms there is no assurance that our efforts will be successful. The COVID-19 outbreak has caused certain delays and world-wide disruptions in manufacturing, supply chain, labor shortages, travel and shipping disruption and shutdowns, as well as cost increase of raw material and electronic components, which continue to adversely affect our operations. We have also witnessed an increase in components’ prices and labor costs, while we may not be able to increase our products’ prices to cover these increased costs. Although the disruption in components supply was not material to the overall activity of our Company, it may adversely affect our ability to procure the necessary volume of materials in the future. If we are unable to obtain the necessary volume of components at sufficiently favorable terms or prices, we may be unable to produce our products at competitive prices. As a result, these supply chain issues may increase our costs, disrupt or reduce production and sales of our products may be lower than expected, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results. In addition, our suppliers are not always able to meet our requested lead times. If we are unable to satisfy customers’ needs on time, we could lose their business.
Certain of the significant components required to build almost all of our VSAT units, our hub systems as well as our other products are manufactured by external suppliers, sometimes by a sole manufacturer. Some of our suppliers have terminated the line of products that we use as components in our products as a result of COVID-19 or for other reasons, and may do so in the future as well. Such dependency exposes us to certain risks in connection with the availability of the respective component, which could include failure in meeting timetables and production requirements and may expose us to material price increases which may affect our ability to provide competitive prices or require us to re-design some of our products. We estimate that the replacement of a manufacturer would, if required, take a substantial period of time.
We receive manufacturing services from a global manufacturer’s facility in Ukraine. While the manufacturer assured us that the operations of the plant have not been interrupted by the military situation in Ukraine and has a recovery plan in place, there is no assurance that negative developments in the area in the future will not disrupt our business and materially adversely affect our business.
We are dependent upon a limited number of suppliers of space segment, or transponder capacity and may be significantly harmed if we are unable to obtain the space segment for the provision of services on favorable terms or on a timely basis.
There are a limited number of suppliers of satellite transponder capacity and a limited amount of space segments available (although space segment availability is expected to gradually increase over the next few years and prices are expected to decrease as a result). We are dependent on these suppliers for our provision of services mainly in Peru, the Philippines, Mexico and North America. While we do secure long-term agreements with our satellite transponder providers, we cannot assure the continuous availability of space segments, the pricing upon renewals of space segments and the continuous availability and coverage in the regions where we supply services. If we are unable to secure contracts with satellite transponder providers with reliable service at competitive prices, or if such satellite capacity becomes unavailable due to a satellite anomaly or other reason, our services business could be adversely affected. We rely on satellite capacity providers, who commit to certain key performance indicators, or KPIs, in connection with the operation of our managed networks and services. Such KPIs are limited and do not always reflect the same level of KPIs guaranteed by us towards our customers.
Our failure to obtain or maintain authorizations under the U.S. export control and trade sanctions laws and export regulations and restrictions could have a material adverse effect on our business.
The export of some of our satellite communication products, related technical information and services may be subject to U.S. State Department, Commerce Department and Treasury Department regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, or ITAR, and the Export Administration Regulations, or EAR. Under these laws and regulations, our non-U.S. employees, including employees of our headquarters in Israel, might be barred from accessing certain information of our U.S. subsidiaries unless appropriate licenses are obtained. In addition to the U.S. export control laws and regulations applicable to us, some of our subcontractors and vendors may also be subject to U.S. export control laws and regulations and required to flow down requirements and restrictions imposed on products and services we purchase from them. If we do not maintain our existing authorizations or obtain necessary future authorizations under the export control laws and regulations of the U.S., including potential requirements related to entering into technical assistance agreements to disclose technical data or provide services to non-U.S. persons, we may be unable to export technical information or equipment to non-U.S. persons and companies, including to our own non-U.S. employees, as may be required to fulfill contracts we may enter into. We may also be subjected to export control compliance audits in the future that may uncover improper or illegal activities that would subject us to material remediation costs, civil and criminal fines, penalties or an injunction.
In addition, to participate in classified U.S. government programs, we may have to obtain security clearances from the U.S. Department of Defense for one or more of our subsidiaries that want to participate. Such clearance may require us to enter into a proxy agreement or another similar arrangement with the U.S. government, which would limit our ability to control the operations of the subsidiary and which may impose substantial administrative requirements in order for us to comply. Further, if we materially violate the terms of any proxy agreement, the subsidiary holding the security clearance may be suspended or debarred from performing any government contracts, whether classified or unclassified. If we fail to maintain or obtain the necessary authorizations under the U.S. export control and national security laws and regulations, we may not be able to realize our market focus and our business could be materially adversely affected.
The United States has adopted economic sanctions against certain persons and entities, including certain Russian entities operating in the financial, energy and defense sectors and Chinese entities. These sanctions restrict, among other things, exports and transfer of technologies to these entities. The recent Russian-Ukraine crisis have led to additional expanded sanctions on Russia. In addition, recent events, including policies introduced by the current and past U.S. administrations, have resulted in substantial regulatory uncertainty regarding international trade and trade policy. For example, substantial changes to trade agreements has increased tariffs on certain goods imported into the United States and could lead to further imposition of significant tariff increases. The announcement of unilateral tariffs on imported products has triggered retaliatory actions from certain foreign governments, including China and Russia, and may trigger retaliatory actions by other foreign governments, resulting in what is largely referred to as a “trade war.” While we do not believe that the tariff increases or actions of foreign governments have had an adverse effect on our business to date, we cannot predict the extent to which the United States or other countries will impose quotas, duties, tariffs, taxes or other similar restrictions upon the import or export of our products in the future, a “trade war” of this nature or other similar governmental actions and economic sanctions could have an adverse impact on demand for our services, sales and customers and affect the economies of the United States and various countries, having an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Against the backdrop of the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the rising tensions between the U.S. and other countries, on the one hand, and Russia, on the other hand, major economic sanctions and export controls restrictions on Russia and various Russian entities were imposed by the U.S., European Union and the United Kingdom commencing February 2022, and additional sanctions and restrictions may be imposed in the future. Theses sanctions and restrictions restrict our business in Russia which mainly includes exports to Russia and may delay or prevent us from collecting funds and perform money transfers from Russia. While our business in Russia is of limited in scope, these restrictions may cause a reduction of our sales and financial results.
Furthermore, our export of military products and “dual use” products (items that are typically sold in the commercial market but that may also be used in the defense market) and related technical information is also subject to enhanced Israeli export laws and regulation by the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Economy. Some of our products may include features, such as encryption, that require an export license. Some of our commercial products are exempted from Israeli Ministry of Defense export control. The Israeli Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Economy may change the classification of our existing commercial products or may determine that new products we develop are not exempt from Israeli Ministry of Defense or Ministry of Economy export control. This would place such products subject to the Israeli Ministry of Defense or Ministry of Economy export control regulations as military products or “dual use” items, which would impose on our sales process stringent constraints in relation to each sale transaction and limit our markets. If we do not maintain our existing authorizations and exemptions or obtain necessary future authorizations and exemptions under the export control laws and regulations of Israel, including export licenses for the sale of our equipment and the transfer of technical information, we may be unable to export technical information or equipment outside of Israel, we may not be able to realize our market projections and our business could be materially adversely affected. We may also be subjected to export control compliance audits or actions in the future that may uncover improper or illegal activities that would subject us to material remediation costs, civil and criminal fines, penalties or an injunction.
We depend on our main facility in Israel and are susceptible to any event that could adversely affect its condition or the condition of our other facilities.
A material portion of our laboratory capacity, our principal offices and principal research and development facilities for the principal part of our business are concentrated in a single location in Israel. We also have significant facilities for research and development and manufacturing of components for our low-profile antennas at a single location in Bulgaria as well as a research and development center in Moldova and Singapore and research and development, engineering and manufacturing facilities in California. Fire, natural disaster, lockdowns, or any other cause of material disruption in our operations in any of these locations could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
We are dependent on our management team, especially managers of our large entities around the world, as well as on our key employees, and the loss of one or more of them could harm our business and prevent us from implementing our business plan in a timely manner.
Our success depends in part upon the continued services of our executive officers and other key members of management, and especially managers of our large entities around the world. From time to time, there may be changes in our executive management team resulting from the hiring or departure of executives. Such changes in our executive management team may be disruptive to our business.
Our success also depends in part on sales, marketing and development personnel and our continuing ability to attract and retain highly qualified personnel, including with respect to our acquired companies. There is an increasing competition for the services of such personnel in Israel and elsewhere. The loss of the services of senior or mid-level management and qualified personnel, and the failure to attract highly qualified personnel in the future, may have a negative impact on our business. Moreover, our competitors may hire and gain access to the expertise of our former employees or our former employees may compete with us. There is no assurance that former employees will not compete with us or that we will be able to find replacements for departing key employees in the future.
We may be unable to adequately protect our proprietary rights, which may limit our ability to compete effectively.
Our business is based mainly on our proprietary technology and related products and services. We establish and protect proprietary rights and technology used in our products by the use of patents, trade secrets, copyrights and trademarks. We also utilize non-disclosure and intellectual property assignment agreements. Because of the rapid technological changes and innovation that characterize the network communications industry, our success will depend in large part on our ability to protect and defend our intellectual property rights. Our actions to protect our proprietary rights in our VSATs, hubs, SSPAs and antennas technology as well as other products may be insufficient to protect our intellectual property rights and prevent others from developing products similar to our products. In addition, the laws of many foreign countries do not protect our intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the U.S., or we may have failed to enter into non-disclosure and intellectual property assignment agreements with certain persons, or the agreements we entered into may be found inadequate or we may encounter difficulties in enforcing our legal or contractual rights. If we are unable to protect our intellectual property, our ability to operate our business and generate expected revenues may be harmed.
Failure to protect against cyber-attacks, natural disasters or terrorist attacks, and failures of our information technology systems, infrastructure and data could have an adverse effect on our business.
Failure to protect against cyber-attacks, unauthorized access or network security breaches, inclement weather, natural or man-made disasters, earthquakes, explosions, terrorist attacks, acts of war, floods, fires, computer viruses, power loss, telecommunications or equipment failures, transportation interruptions, accidents or other disruptive events or attempts to harm our systems may cause equipment failures or disrupt our systems, products, networks and operations. Actual and threatened security breaches or disruption, particularly through cyber-attack or cyber intrusion, including by computer hackers, foreign governments and cyber terrorists, have increased in recent years and have become more complex. Criminal hackers may develop and deploy viruses, worms and other malicious software programs, some of which may be specifically designed to attack our products, systems, computers or networks. Additionally, external parties may induce our employees or users of our products to disclose sensitive information in order to gain access to our data or our customers' data. We have been subject, and will likely continue to be subject, to attempts to breach the security of our networks and Information Technology, or IT, infrastructure, and our products and services, through cyber-attack, malware, computer viruses, social engineering, email phishing attacks and other means of unauthorized access. Techniques used in such attempted or actual breaches and cyber-attacks are constantly evolving and generally are not recognized until launched against a target, and in some cases are designed not to be detected and, in fact, may not be detected until a substantial period has elapsed thereafter, or not at all. Accordingly, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate security barriers or other preventative measures, and thus it is virtually impossible for us to entirely mitigate this risk. Since we provide products and services to communications companies, we may face an added risk of a security breach or other significant disruption to certain of our products used by some of our customers and related customer systems relating to wireless carriers as well as government functions. While none of these actual or attempted attacks has had a material impact on our operations or financial condition, we cannot provide any assurance that our business operations will not be negatively materially affected by such attacks in the future.
Any disruption, disabling, or attack affecting our equipment and systems, products and the hardware, software and infrastructure on which we rely could result in a security or privacy breach. Whether such event is physical human error or malfeasance (whether accidental, fraudulent or intentional) or electronic in nature (such as malware, virus, or other malicious code) such an event could result in our inability to operate our facilities or continually operate our networks, which, even if the event is for a limited period of time, may result in significant expenses and/or loss of market share to other competitors in the market. While we maintain insurance coverage for some of these events, which could offset some of the losses, the potential liabilities associated with these events could exceed the insurance coverage we maintain. Any of the events described above could result in litigation and potential liability or fines for us, a material impact to our operations or financial condition, damage our brand and reputation or otherwise harm our business.
Regulators globally have adopted privacy regulations and regulations imposing greater obligations and monetary fines for privacy violations. For example, the General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, adopted by the European Union and became effective in 2018. The GDPR establish requirements regarding the handling of personal data, and non-compliance with the GDPR may result in monetary penalties of up to 4% of worldwide revenue. Other examples are the California Consumer Privacy Act, or CCPA, followed by the California Privacy Rights Act, or CPRA, which provides California residents new rights restricting collection, use, and sharing of their “Personal Information” and the Brazilian General Data Protection Law, or LGPD, which provides Brazilian residents new data protection rights, and the Australian Privacy Act and the Australian Privacy Principles.The Israeli Privacy Protection Regulations of 2017 also impose high penalties and sanctions on violations. In addition, violation of applicable local privacy laws may entail criminal consequences. The GDPR, CCPA, CPRA and other changes in laws or regulations associated with the enhanced protection of certain types of sensitive data, such as healthcare data or other personal information, could greatly increase our cost of providing our products and services or even prevent us from offering certain services in jurisdictions that we operate. Further, if we fail to comply with the GDPR, CCPA and other privacy regulations applicable to us we may incur high monetary and other penalties, which may have significant adverse effect on our business.
Our international sales and business expose us to changes in foreign regulations and tariffs, tax exposures, inflation, political instability and other risks inherent to international business, any of which could adversely affect our operations.
We sell and distribute our products and provide our services internationally, particularly in the United States, Latin America, Asia, Asia Pacific and Europe. We also operate our business and manufacture our products internationally. A component of our strategy is to continue and expand in international markets. Our operations can be limited or disrupted by various factors known to affect international trade. These factors include the following:
| • | imposition of governmental controls, regulations and taxation which might include a government’s decision to raise import tariffs or license fees in countries in which we do business; |
| • | government regulations that may prevent us from choosing our business partners or restrict our activities; |
| • | the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or the FCPA, and applicable anti-corruption laws in other jurisdictions, which include anti-bribery provisions. Our policies mandate compliance with these laws. Nevertheless, we may not always be protected in cases of violation of the FCPA or other applicable anti-corruption laws by our employees or third-parties acting on our behalf. A violation of anti-corruption laws by our employees or third-parties during the performance of their obligations for us may have a material adverse effect on our reputation, operating results and financial condition; |
| • | tax exposures in various jurisdictions relating to our activities throughout the world; |
| • | political and/or economic instability in countries in which we do or desire to do business or where we operate or manufacture our products. Such unexpected changes could have an adverse effect on the gross margin of some of our projects. This includes similar risks from potential or current political and economic instability as well as volatility of foreign currencies in countries such as Peru, Colombia, Brazil, Russia, Ukraine, certain countries in Eastern Europe and East Asia and other countries in which we will conduct business in the future; |
| • | difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations that might mandate employing staff in various countries to manage foreign operations. This requirement could have an adverse effect on the profitability of certain projects; |
| • | adverse economic conditions and general uncertainty about economic recovery or growth, including recession, depression and inflation concerns; |
| • | longer payment cycles and difficulties in collecting accounts receivable; |
| • | foreign exchange risks due to fluctuations in local currencies relative to the dollar; and |
| • | relevant zoning ordinances that may restrict the installation of satellite antennas and might also reduce market demand for our service. Additionally, authorities may increase regulation regarding the potential radiation hazard posed by transmitting earth station satellite antennas’ emissions of radio frequency energy that may negatively impact our business plan and revenues. |
| • | rising inflation may put upward pressure on interest rates, increase our exposure to currency exchange risks and cause an increase in our expenses, mainly related to costs of supplies and human resources, which could in turn adversely affect our business. |
Any decline in commercial business in any country may have an adverse effect on our business as these trends often lead to a decline in technology purchases or upgrades by private companies. We expect that in difficult economic periods, countries in which we do business will find it more difficult to raise financing from investors for the further development of the telecommunications industry and private companies will find it more difficult to finance the purchase or upgrade of our technology. Any such changes could adversely affect our business in these and other countries.
Unfavorable global and regional economic, political and health conditions could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Our results of operations could be adversely affected by global or regional economic, political and health conditions. A global financial crisis or global or regional political and economic instability (including changes in inflation, interest rates and overall economic conditions and uncertainties), wars, terrorism, civil unrest, outbreaks of disease (for example, COVID-19), and other unexpected events, such as supply chain constraints or disruptions, could cause extreme volatility, increase our costs and disrupt our business. Business disruptions could include, among others, disruptions to our commercial activities, including due to supply chain or distribution constraints or challenges, as well as temporary closures of our facilities and the facilities of suppliers or contract manufacturers in our supply chain. For example, these macroeconomic factors could affect the ability of our current or potential future manufacturers, sole source or single source suppliers, licensors or licensees to remain in business, or otherwise manufacture or supply components, materials or services relevant to our products. Any failure by any of them to remain in business could affect our ability to manufacture products or meet demand for our products. In addition, if inflation or other factors were to significantly increase our business costs, we may be unable to pass through price increases to our customers. Interest rates and the ability to access credit markets could also adversely affect the ability of our customers to purchase our products.
Also, as a result of the current geopolitical tensions and conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the recent invasion by Russia of Ukraine, the governments of the United States, EU, Japan and other jurisdictions have recently announced the imposition of sanctions on certain industry sectors and parties in Russia and certain impacted regions, as well as enhanced export controls on certain products and industries. These and any additional sanctions and export controls, as well as any counter responses by the governments of Russia or other jurisdictions, could adversely affect, directly or indirectly, the global supply chain, with negative implications on the availability and prices of raw materials and components, as well as the on global financial markets and financial services industry.
We are impacted by inflationary increases in wages, benefits and other costs. In all countries in which we operate, wage and benefit inflation, whether driven by competition for talent, or ordinary course pay increases and other inflationary pressure, may increase our cost of providing services and reduce our profitability. Furthermore, as a result of our global operations, wage increases in emerging markets may increase at a faster rate than wages in developed markets, which increases our exposure to inflation risks. If we are not able to pass increased wage and other costs resulting from inflation onto our clients our profitability may decline.
Increasing scrutiny and changing expectations from investors, lenders, customers and other market participants with respect to our Environmental, Social and Governance, or ESG, policies may impose additional costs on us or expose us to additional risks.
Companies across all industries are facing increasing scrutiny relating to their ESG policies. Investors, lenders and other market participants are increasingly focused on ESG practices and in recent years have placed increasing importance on the implications and social cost of their investments. The increased focus and activism related to ESG may hinder our access to capital, as investors and lenders may reconsider their capital investment allocation as a result of their assessment of our ESG practices. If we do not adapt to or comply with investor, lender or other industry shareholder expectations and standards, which are evolving, or which are perceived to have not responded appropriately to the growing concern for ESG issues, regardless of whether there is a legal requirement to do so, may suffer from reputational damage and the business, financial condition and price our company’s shares could be materially and adversely affected.
We may face difficulties in obtaining regulatory approvals for our telecommunication services and products, which could adversely affect our operations.
Certain of our telecommunication operations require licenses and approvals by the Israeli Ministry of Communication, the Federal Communications Commission in the U.S., or FCC, and by regulatory bodies in other countries. In Israel, the U.S. and other countries, the operation of satellite earth station facilities and VSAT systems such as ours are prohibited except under licenses issued by the Israeli Ministry of Communication and the FCC in the U.S. Our airborne products require licenses and approvals by the Federal Aviation Agency, or FAA, which are obtained by our customers or Wavestream, our subsidiary. We must also obtain approval of the regulatory authority in each country in which we propose to provide network services or operate VSATs. The approval process in Latin America and elsewhere can often take a substantial amount of time and require substantial resources.
In addition, any licenses and approvals that are granted may be subject to conditions that may restrict our activities or otherwise adversely affect our operations. Also, after obtaining the required licenses and approvals, the regulating agencies may, at any time, impose additional requirements on our operations. Failure to obtain the required license where such license is required may result in high monetary and other penalties. We cannot assure you that we will be able to comply with any new requirements or conditions imposed by such regulating agencies on a timely or economically efficient basis.
Our products are also subject to requirements to obtain certification of compliance with local regulatory standards. Delays in receiving such certification could also adversely affect our operations.
Currency exchange rates and fluctuations of currency exchange rates may adversely affect our results of operations, liabilities, and assets.
Since we operate in several countries, we are impacted by currency exchange rates and fluctuations of various currencies. Although partially mitigated by our hedging activities, we are impacted by currency exchange rates and fluctuations thereof in a number of ways, including the following:
| • | A significant portion of our expenses, principally salaries and related personnel expenses, are incurred in NIS, and to a lesser extent, other non-U.S. dollar currencies, whereas the currency we use to report our financial results is the U.S. dollar and a significant portion of our revenue is generated in U.S. dollars. During 2022 and 2021, we witnessed a general trend of revaluation of the U.S. dollar against the NIS. However, during 2019 and 2020, we witnessed an opposite trend, of significant devaluation of the U.S. dollar against the NIS. The strengthening of the NIS against the U.S. dollar can considerably increase the U.S. dollar value of our expenses in Israel and our results of operations may be adversely affected. |
| • | A portion of our international sales is denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, including but not limited to the Euro, Australian Dollar, Brazilian Real, Israeli Shekel, Peruvian Sol, Russian Ruble, Indian Rupee and the Mexican Peso, therefore we are exposed to the risk of devaluation of such currencies relative to the dollar which could have a negative impact on our revenues. |
| • | We have assets and liabilities that are denominated in non-U.S. dollar currencies. Therefore, significant fluctuation in these other currencies could have significant effect on our results.
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| • | A portion of our U.S. dollar revenues are derived from customers operating in local currencies which are different from the U.S. dollar. Therefore, devaluation in the local currencies of our customers relative to the U.S. dollar could cause our customers to cancel or decrease orders or delay payment. |
We are also subject to other foreign currency risks including repatriation restrictions in certain countries, particularly in Latin America. As noted above, from time to time, we enter hedging transactions to attempt to limit the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. However, the protection provided by such hedging transactions may be partial and leave certain exchange rate-related losses and risks uncovered. Therefore, our business and profitability may be harmed by such exchange rate fluctuations.
We may not be compliant, currently or in the future, with the requirements for Benefited Enterprise status and may be denied benefits. Israeli government programs and tax benefits may be terminated or reduced in the future.
We participate in programs of the Israel Innovation Authority and the Israel Authority for Investments and Development of the Industry and Economy, for which we receive tax and other benefits as well as funding for the development of technologies and products. Our company chose 2011 as the year of election in order to receive tax benefits as a “Benefited Enterprise”. Our period of benefits as a Benefitted Enterprise under the 2011 election will expire in 2023. If we fail to comply with the conditions applicable to this status under the Investment Law, we may be required to pay additional taxes and penalties or make refunds and may be denied future benefits. From time to time, the government of Israel has discussed reducing or eliminating the benefits available under such programs, and therefore these benefits may not be available in the future at current levels or at all.
We may be subject to claims by third parties alleging that we infringe intellectual property owned by them. We may be required to commence litigation to protect our intellectual property rights. Any intellectual property litigation may continue for an extended period and may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.
There are numerous patents, both pending and issued, in the network communications industry. We may unknowingly infringe on a patent. We may from time to time be notified of claims that we are infringing on patents, copyrights or other intellectual property rights owned by third parties. While we do not believe that we have infringed in the past or are infringing at present on any intellectual property rights of third parties, we cannot assure you that we will not be subject to such claims or that damages for any such claim will not be awarded against us by a court.
In addition, we may be required to commence litigation to protect our intellectual property rights and trade secrets, to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others or to defend against third‑party claims of invalidity or infringement. An adverse result of any litigation could force us to pay substantial damages, stop designing, manufacturing, using or selling related products, spend significant resources to develop alternative technologies, discontinue using certain processes, obtain licenses or compensate our customers. We may also not be able to develop alternative technology, and we may not be able to find appropriate licenses on reasonably satisfactory terms. Any such litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
Potential liability claims relating to our products or services could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We may be subject to liability claims relating to the products we sell or services we provide. Potential liability claims could include, among others, claims for exposure to electromagnetic radiation from the antennas we provide or use. We endeavor to include in our agreements with our business customers provisions designed to limit our exposure to potential claims. We also maintain a product liability insurance policy. However, we may fail to include limitations of our liability in our contracts, or our contractual limitations of liability may be rejected or limited in certain jurisdictions. Additionally, our insurance does not cover all relevant claims, such as claims for exposure to electromagnetic radiation, and does not provide sufficient coverage. To date, we have not been subject to any material product liability claim. Our business, financial condition and operating results could be materially adversely affected if costs resulting from future claims are not covered by our insurance or exceed our coverage.
Environmental laws and regulations may subject us to significant liability.
Our operations are subject to various Israeli, U.S. federal, state and local as well as certain other foreign environmental laws and regulations within the countries in which we operate relating to the discharge, storage, treatment, handling, disposal and remediation of certain materials, substances and wastes used in our operations.
New laws and regulations, stricter enforcement of existing laws and regulations, the discovery of previously unknown contamination or the imposition of new clean-up requirements may require us to incur a significant amount of additional costs in the future and could decrease the amount of cash flow available to us for other purposes, including capital expenditures, research and development and other investments and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and future prospects. We may identify deficiencies in our compliance with local legislation within countries in which we operate. Failure to comply with such legislation could result in sanctions by regulatory authorities and could adversely affect our operating results. Examples of these laws and regulations include the E.U. Restriction on the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive, and the E.U. Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive.
We may suffer from a short-term decrease in our revenues due to customers shifting to our SkyEdge IV next generation system.
In early 2022, we launched SkyEdge IV, our next generation system for VHTSs and NGSOs as part of our SkyEdge product family. We plan to provide our current and potential customers with both SkyEdge II-c and SkyEdge IV in parallel in the near future. Some of our customers may wish to postpone their purchases in order to receive our advanced platform SkyEdge IV and refrain from ordering our currently available SkyEdge II-c. Accordingly, we may suffer from a short-term decrease in our revenues.
Risks Related to Ownership of Our Ordinary Shares
We identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, which we believe have been remediated. If we experience material weaknesses or other deficiencies in the future or otherwise fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to accurately and timely report our financial results, which could cause shareholders to lose confidence in our financial and other public reporting, and adversely affect our share price.
In the course of preparing our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021, we identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. A “material weakness” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The material weaknesses identified were with respect to revenue recognition relating to our regional projects in Peru.
We developed a remediation plan to remediate our identified material weaknesses and believe that such weaknesses have been successfully remediated as of December 31, 2022. There is no assurance that we will not have material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in the future. Our failure to maintain effective internal controls and procedures, could prevent us from meeting our financial reporting obligations on a timely basis. If other undetected material weaknesses in our internal controls exist, it could result in material misstatements in our financial statements requiring us to restate previously issued financial statements, which could cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information and could subject us to regulatory scrutiny and to litigation from shareholders, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and the price of our shares.
If we are unable to maintain effective internal control over our financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the reliability of our financial statements may be questioned, and our share price may suffer.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 imposes certain duties on us and on our executives and directors. To comply with this statute, we are required to document and test our internal control over financial reporting, and our independent registered public accounting firm must issue an attestation report on our internal control procedures, and our management is required to assess and issue a report concerning our internal control over financial reporting. We incur general and administrative expenses due to our efforts to comply with these requirements as well as diversion of management time and attention, and we expect these efforts to require the continued commitment of significant resources. We identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, with respect to revenue recognition relating to our regional projects in Peru. While we implemented a remediation plan to improve our internal controls and procedures, we may in the future identify material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our assessments of our internal controls over financial reporting. Failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could result in investigation or sanctions by regulatory authorities, and could adversely affect our operating results, investor confidence in our reported financial information and the market price of our ordinary shares.
Our share price has been highly volatile and may continue to be volatile and decline.
The trading price of our shares as well as the market generally has fluctuated widely in the past and may continue to do so in the future as a result of a number of factors, many of which are outside our control. During the period from January 3, 2022 to March 6, 2023, our ordinary shares traded in a range from $4.97 to a high of $9.11 and the daily trade volume on NASDAQ ranged from 51,400 shares to 3,015,500 shares. In addition, the stock market has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected the market prices of many technology companies, particularly telecommunication and internet related companies, and that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of these companies or stimulated by market rumors. These broad market fluctuations could adversely affect the market price of our shares. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a particular company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been brought against that company. Securities class action litigation against us could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources.
Our operating results may vary significantly from quarter to quarter and from year to year and these quarterly and yearly variations in operating results, as well as other factors, may contribute to the volatility of the market price of our shares.
Our operating results have and may continue to vary significantly from quarter to quarter. The causes of fluctuations include, among other things:
| • | the timing, size and composition of requests for proposals or orders from customers; |
| • | the timing of introducing new products and product enhancements by us and the level of their market acceptance; |
| • | the mix of products and services we offer; |
| • | the level of our expenses; |
| • | the changes in the competitive environment in which we operate; and |
| • | Our ability to supply the goods ordered within the quarter. |
The quarterly variation of our operating results, may, in turn, create volatility in the market price for our shares. Other factors that may contribute to wide fluctuations in our market price, many of which are beyond our control, include, but are not limited to:
| • | announcements of technological innovations; |
| • | customer orders or new products or contracts; |
| • | competitors’ positions in the market; |
| • | changes in financial estimates by securities analysts; |
| • | conditions and trends in the VSAT and other technology industries relevant to our businesses; |
| • | our earnings releases and the earnings releases of our competitors; and |
| • | the general state of the securities markets (with particular emphasis on the technology and Israeli sectors thereof). |
In addition to the volatility of the market price of our shares, the stock market in general and the market for technology companies in particular has been highly volatile and at times thinly traded. Investors may not be able to resell their shares during and following periods of volatility.
We may in the future be classified as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, which would subject our U.S. investors to adverse tax rules.
U.S. holders of our ordinary shares may face income tax risks. There is a risk that we will be treated as a “passive foreign investment company”. Our treatment as a PFIC could result in a reduction in the after-tax return to the holders of our ordinary shares and would likely cause a reduction in the value of such shares. A foreign corporation will be treated as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes if either (1) at least 75% of its gross income for any taxable year consists of certain types of “passive income,” or (2) at least 50% of the average value of the corporation’s gross assets produce, or are held for the production of, such types of “passive income.” For purposes of these tests, “passive income” includes dividends, interest, gains from the sale or exchange of investment property and rents and royalties other than rents and royalties that are received from unrelated parties in connection with the active conduct of a trade or business. For purposes of these tests, income derived from the performance of services does not constitute “passive income”. If we are treated as a PFIC, U.S. Holders of shares (or rights) would be subject to a special adverse U.S. federal income tax regime with respect to the income derived by us, the distributions they receive from us, and the gain, if any, they derive from the sale or other disposition of their ordinary shares (or rights). In particular, any dividends paid by us, if any, would not be treated as “qualified dividend income” eligible for preferential tax rates in the hands of non-corporate U.S. shareholders. We believe that we were not a PFIC for the 2022 taxable year. However, since PFIC status depends upon the composition of our income and the market value of our assets from time to time, there can be no assurance that we will not become a PFIC in any future taxable year. U.S. Holders should carefully read Item 10E. “Additional Information – Taxation” for a more complete discussion of the U.S. federal income tax risks related to owning and disposing of our ordinary shares (or rights).
Future sales of our ordinary shares and the future exercise of options may cause the market price of our ordinary shares to decline and may result in a substantial dilution.
During 2021 and through the date of this filing, our largest shareholder, FIMI Opportunity Funds, or the FIMI Funds, sold approximately 24.0% of our outstanding ordinary shares and granted an option to Phoenix Holdings Ltd., or Phoenix, to acquire its remaining ordinary shares (approximately 9.8% of our outstanding ordinary shares) through the end of 2022. We cannot predict what effect, if any, future sales of our ordinary shares by our significant shareholders, or the availability for future sale of our ordinary shares, including shares issuable upon the exercise of our options, will have on the market price of our ordinary shares.
In July 2022, we filed a shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission allowing for our issuance and sale of up to $150 million of ordinary shares and other securities.
Sales of substantial amounts of our ordinary shares in the public market by our company or our significant shareholders, or the perception that such sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our ordinary shares and may make it more difficult for you to sell your ordinary shares at a time and price you deem appropriate.
Certain of our shareholders beneficially own a substantial percentage of our ordinary shares.
The Phoenix Holdings Ltd., or Phoenix, our largest shareholder, holds approximately 19.13% of our outstanding ordinary shares, and Meitav Investments Ltd. or Meitav and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans or Thrivent, our second and third largest shareholders hold approximately 8.45% and 5% of our outstanding ordinary shares, respectively. This concentration of ownership of our ordinary shares could delay or prevent mergers, tender offers, or other purchases of our ordinary shares that might otherwise give our shareholders the opportunity to realize a premium over the then-prevailing market price for our ordinary shares. This concentration could also accelerate these same transactions in lieu of others depriving shareholders of opportunities. This concentration of ownership may also cause a decrease in the volume of trading or otherwise adversely affect our share price.
No assurance can be given that we will distribute dividends in the future.
In April 2019 we distributed a cash dividend in the amount of $0.45 per share (approximately $24.9 million in the aggregate). Following receipt of the settlement amount from Comtech in December 2020, we distributed a cash dividend of $0.36 per share and in January 2021 (following the receipt of court approval) we distributed a cash dividend of $0.63 per share (approximately $20 million and $35 million, respectively). We have not adopted a general policy regarding the distribution of dividends and make no statements as to the distribution of dividends in the foreseeable future. The terms of some of our financing arrangements require us to meet certain financial covenants regarding minimum cash balance and the distribution of dividends requires prior approval of certain banks which provide us with credit facilities and guarantees. Any future dividend distributions are subject to the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on various factors, including our operating results, future earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, and tax implications of dividend distributions on our income, future prospects and any other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. The distribution of dividends is also limited by Israeli law, which permits the distribution of dividends by an Israeli corporation only out of its retained earnings as defined in Israel’s Companies Law, 5759-1999, or the Companies Law, provided that there is no reasonable concern that such payment will cause us to fail to meet our current and expected liabilities as they become due, or otherwise with the court’s approval (as we obtained for the January 2021 dividend). You should not invest in our company if you seek a secured dividend income from your investment. For information regarding taxation of dividend, see ITEM 10.E – “Additional Information - Taxation - Israeli Tax Consequences of Holding Our Stock - Dividends”.
Our ordinary shares are traded on more than one market and this may result in price variations.
Our ordinary shares are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and on the TASE. Trading in our ordinary shares on these markets is made in different currencies (U.S. dollars on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, and NIS on the TASE), and at different times (resulting from different time zones, different trading days and different public holidays in the U.S. and Israel). Consequently, the trading prices of our ordinary shares on these two markets often differ. Any decrease in the trading price of our ordinary shares on one of these markets could cause a decrease in the trading price of our ordinary shares on the other market.
Risks Related to Our Location in Israel
Political and economic conditions in Israel may limit our ability to produce and sell our products. This could have a material adverse effect on our operations and business condition, harm our results of operations and adversely affect our share price.
We are incorporated under the laws of the State of Israel, where we also maintain our headquarters and most of our manufacturing and research and development facilities. As a result, political, economic and military conditions affecting Israel directly influence us. Any major hostilities involving Israel, a full or partial mobilization of the reserve forces of the Israeli army, the interruption or curtailment of trade or air traffic between Israel and its trading partners, or a significant downturn in the economic or financial condition of Israel could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Conflicts in North Africa and the Middle East, including in Syria which borders Israel, have resulted in continued political uncertainty and violence in the region. Efforts to improve Israel’s relationship with the Palestinian Authority have failed to result in a permanent solution, and there have been numerous periods of hostility in recent years. In addition, relations between Israel and Iran continue to be seriously strained, especially with regard to Iran’s nuclear program. Such instability may affect the economy, could negatively affect business conditions and, therefore, could adversely affect our operations. To date, these matters have not had any material effect on our business and results of operations; however, the regional security situation and worldwide perceptions of it are outside our control and there can be no assurance that these matters will not negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations in the future.
While Israel and the United Arab Emirates signed a normalization agreement in 2020, there are a number of countries, primarily in the Middle East, as well as Malaysia and Indonesia that restrict business with Israel or Israeli companies, and we are precluded from marketing our products to these countries directly from Israel. Restrictive laws or policies directed towards Israel or Israeli businesses may have an adverse impact on our operations, our financial results or the expansion of our business. In addition, there have been increased efforts by activists to cause companies and consumers to boycott Israeli goods. Such actions, particularly if they become more widespread, may adversely impact our ability to sell our products.
Furthermore, the Israeli government is currently pursuing extensive changes to Israel’s judicial system. Actual or perceived instability with respect to the current public dispute over changes to the Israeli legal systems or the impact thereof, may individually or in the aggregate adversely affect the Israeli economy and our ability to do business, financial condition, results of operations, growth prospects, and share price.
Your rights and responsibilities as a shareholder are governed by Israeli law and differ in some respects from those under Delaware law.
Because we are an Israeli company, the rights and responsibilities of our shareholders are governed by our Articles of Association and by Israeli law. These rights and responsibilities differ in some respects from the rights and responsibilities of shareholders in a Delaware corporation. In particular, a shareholder of an Israeli company has a duty to act in good faith towards the company and other shareholders and to refrain from abusing his, her or its power in the company, including, among other things, in voting at the general meeting of shareholders on certain matters. Israeli law provides that these duties are applicable to shareholder votes on, among other things, amendments to a company’s articles of association, increases in a company’s authorized share capital, mergers and interested party transactions requiring shareholder approval. In addition, a shareholder who knows that it possesses the power to determine the outcome of a shareholders’ vote or to appoint or prevent the appointment of a director or executive officer in the company has a duty of fairness towards the company. However, Israeli law does not define the substance of this duty of fairness. There is little case law available to assist in understanding the implications of these provisions that govern shareholder behavior.
As a foreign private issuer whose shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, we follow certain home country corporate governance practices instead of certain NASDAQ requirements, which may not afford shareholders with the same protections that shareholders of domestic companies have.
As a foreign private issuer whose shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, we are permitted to follow certain home country corporate governance practices instead of certain requirements of The NASDAQ Marketplace Rules. We follow Israeli law and practice instead of The NASDAQ Marketplace Rules with respect to the director nominations process and the requirement to obtain shareholder approval for the establishment or material amendment of certain equity-based compensation plans and arrangements. As a foreign private issuer listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, we may also follow home country practice with regard to, among other things, the requirement to obtain shareholder approval for certain dilutive events (such as for an issuance that will result in a change of control of the company, certain transactions other than a public offering involving issuances of a 20% or more interest in the company and certain acquisitions of the stock or assets of another company). A foreign private issuer that elects to follow a home country practice instead of NASDAQ requirements must submit to NASDAQ in advance a written statement from an independent counsel in such issuer’s home country certifying that the issuer’s practices are not prohibited by the home country’s laws. In addition, a foreign private issuer must disclose in its annual reports filed with the SEC each such requirement that it does not follow and describe the home country practice followed by the issuer instead of any such requirement. Accordingly, our shareholders may not be afforded the same protection as provided under NASDAQ’s corporate governance rules.
Our results of operations may be negatively affected by the obligation of our personnel to perform military service.
A significant number of our employees in Israel are obligated to perform annual reserve duty in the Israeli Defense Forces and may be called for active duty under emergency circumstances at any time. If a military conflict or war arises, these individuals could be required to serve in the military for extended periods of time. Our operations could be disrupted by a significant absence of one or more of our key employees or a significant number of other employees due to military service. Any disruption in our operations could adversely affect our business.
You may not be able to enforce civil liabilities in the U.S. against our officers and directors.
We are incorporated in Israel. All of our directors and executive officers reside outside the U.S., and a significant portion of our assets and the personal assets of most of our directors and executive officers are located outside the U.S. Therefore, it may be difficult to effect service of process upon any of these persons within the U.S. In addition, a judgment obtained in the U.S. against us, or against such individuals, including but not limited to judgments based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws, may not be collectible within the U.S.
Additionally, it may be difficult for an investor or any other person or entity, to assert U.S. securities law claims in original actions instituted in Israel. Israeli courts may refuse to hear a claim based on a violation of U.S. securities laws on the ground that Israel is not the most appropriate forum in which to bring such a claim. Even if an Israeli court agrees to hear a claim, it may determine that Israeli law is applicable to the claim. Certain matters of procedures will also be governed by Israeli law.
Under current Israeli law, U.S. law and the laws of other jurisdictions, we may not be able to enforce covenants not to compete and therefore may be unable to prevent our competitors from benefiting from the expertise of some of our former employees.
We currently generally include non-competition clauses in the employment agreements of our employees in certain regions. The provisions of such clauses prohibit our employees, if they cease working for us, from directly competing with us or working for our competitors for a certain period of time. Israeli labor courts have required employers, seeking to enforce non-compete undertakings against former employees, to demonstrate that the competitive activities of the former employee will cause harm to one of a limited number of material interests of the employer recognized by the courts (for example, the confidentiality of certain commercial information or a company’s intellectual property). In the event that any of our employees chooses to leave and work for one of our competitors, we may be unable to prevent our competitors from benefiting from the expertise of our former employee obtained from us, if we cannot demonstrate to the court that our interests as defined by case law would be harmed. Non-competition clauses may be unenforceable or enforceable only to a limited extent in other jurisdictions as well.
ITEM 4: INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
| A. | History and Development of the Company |
We were incorporated in Israel in 1987 and are subject to the laws of the State of Israel. We are a public limited liability company under Israel’s Companies Law and operate under that law and associated legislation. Our corporate headquarters, executive offices and main research and development and engineering facilities, as well as facilities for product assembly are located at Gilat House, 21 Yegia Kapayim Street, Kiryat Arye, Petah Tikva 4913020, Israel. Our telephone number is (972) 3-925-2000. Our address in the U.S. is c/o Wavestream Corporation at 545 West Terrace Drive, San Dimas, California 91773. Our website address is www.gilat.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this annual report.
We are a leading global provider of satellite-based broadband communications. We design and manufacture ground-based satellite communications equipment and provide comprehensive solutions and end-to-end services powered by our innovative technology. Our portfolio includes a cloud-based satellite network platform, VSAT terminals, amplifiers, high-speed modems, high-performance on-the-move antennas, high efficiency, high power SSPA amplifiers, BUCs and transceivers. Our comprehensive solutions support multiple applications with a full portfolio of products to address key applications including broadband internet access, cellular backhaul, enterprise, social inclusion solutions, In-Flight Connectivity, maritime, trains, defense, and public safety, all while meeting stringent service level requirements. We also provide connectivity services, internet access and telephony to enterprise, government and residential customers over networks built using our own equipment and over other networks that we install, mainly based on BOT and BOO contracts. We build telecommunication infrastructure in these projects typically using fiber-optic and wireless technologies for broadband connectivity.
Our products are primarily sold to satellite operators, communication service providers, MNOs and system integrators that use satellite communications for their customers and to government organizations and system integrators that use our technology. We are particularly active in the following market sectors: enterprise and government broadband applications; consumer broadband access; cellular connectivity; national telecommunication connectivity; defense and homeland security and mobility applications for air, land and sea. We provide services directly to end-users in various market sectors including in certain countries in Latin America and provide managed network services in certain countries, such as Australia, Peru, Mexico, Philippines and the U.S., over a satellite network owned by a third party. We have 15 sales and support offices worldwide, three network operations centers and five R&D centers.
We shipped our first generation VSAT in 1989 and since then, we have been among the technological leaders in the satellite ground equipment industry. Our continuous investment in research and development has resulted in the development of new and industry leading products and our intellectual property portfolio includes 73 issued patents (57 U.S. and 16 foreign) relating to our VSAT and other systems as well as 11 issued patents in the U.S. relating to our satellite communication on the move antenna solutions and 13 issued patents (3 U.S. and 10 foreign) for our high power SSPAs.
In 2022, 2021 and 2020, our property and equipment purchases amounted to approximately $12.8 million, $8.9 million and $4.7 million, respectively. These amounts do not include the reclassification of inventory to property and equipment and other non-cash purchases made during 2022, 2021 and 2020 in the approximate amounts of $2.5 million, $2.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively.
We are a leading provider of ground-based satellite communications and other network communications solutions and services. We believe in the right of all people to be connected. Our mission is to create and deliver deep technology solutions for satellite, ground and new space connectivity.
We design and manufacture ground-based satellite networking communications equipment, which we sell to our customers either as network components (modems, BUCs, antennas) or as complete network solutions (which include hubs and related terminals and services) or turnkey projects. We develop the equipment that includes commercial VSAT systems, defense and homeland security satellite communications systems, SSPAs, BUCs, transceivers, low-profile antennas, on-the-Move and on-the-Pause terminals and modems. Our equipment is used by satellite operators, service providers, telecommunications operators, MNOs, system integrators, government and defense organizations, large corporations and enterprises. We sell and distribute our products and provide our services internationally, in Latin America, Asia, Asia Pacific, North America, Africa and Europe. In particular, we provide connectivity services, internet access and telephony, to enterprise, government and residential customers over our own networks, built using both our equipment and equipment purchased from other manufacturers in various technologies and over other networks that we install, mainly based on BOT and BOO contracts. We build telecommunication infrastructure in these projects typically using fiber-optic and wireless technologies for broadband connectivity. We also provide NOC services and hub services.
From 2018 through 2021, we operated in three operating segments - Fixed Networks, Mobility Solutions and Terrestrial Infrastructure Projects. Commencing in the first quarter of 2022, in order to reflect our new management’s approach to the management of our operations, organizational alignment, customer base and end markets, we now operate in three operating segments, as follows:
| • | Satellite Networks is focused on the development and supply of networks that are used as the platform that enables the latest satellite constellations of HTS, VHTS and NGSO opportunities worldwide. We provide advanced broadband satellite communication networks and associated professional services and comprehensive turnkey solutions and managed satellite network services solutions. Our customers are service providers, satellite operators, MNOs, Telcos, large enterprises, system integrators, defense, homeland security organizations and governments worldwide. Principal applications include In-Flight-Connectivity, cellular backhaul, maritime, social inclusion solutions, government, defense and enterprise networks and are driving meaningful partnerships with satellite operators to leverage our technology and breadth of services to deploy and operate the ground-based satellite communication networks. Our product portfolio includes a leading satellite network platform with high-speed VSATs, high performance on-the-move antennas, BUCs and transceivers. |
| • | Integrated Solutions is focused on the development, manufacturing and supply of products and solutions for mission-critical defense and broadcast satellite communications systems, advanced on-the-move and on-the-pause satellite communications equipment, systems and solutions, including airborne, ground-mobile satellite systems and solutions. The integrated solutions product portfolio comprises of leading high-efficiency, high-power SSPAs, BUCs and transceivers with a field-proven, high-performance variety of frequency bands. Our customers are satellite operators, In-Flight Connectivity service providers, defense and homeland security system integrators and NGSO gateway integrators. |
| • | Network Infrastructure and Services is focused on telecom operation and implementation of large-scale networks projects in Peru. We provide terrestrial (fiber optic and wireless network) and satellite network construction and operation. We serve our customers through technology integration, managed networks and services, connectivity services, internet access and telephony over our own networks. We implement projects using various technologies (including our equipment), mainly based on BOT and BOO contracts. |
We concluded that the change in our reporting segments, as described above, does not require goodwill re-assignment.
In the year ended December 31, 2022, we derived approximately 50%, 26% and 24% of our revenues from our Satellite Networks, Integrated Solutions and Network Infrastructure and Services segments, respectively.
We have diversified revenue streams that result from both sales of products, which include construction of networks, and services. In the year ended December 31, 2022, approximately 62% of our revenues were derived from sales of products and 38% from services. During the same period, we derived 40%, 24% and 1% of our revenues from U.S., Peru and Israel, respectively.
Industry Overview
There is a global demand for satellite-based communications solutions for several reasons. Primarily, satellite-based communication is still the only truly ubiquitous networking solution. Secondly, satellite communications are more readily available as compared to alternative terrestrial communications networks. Lastly, satellite communications solutions offer rapidly deployed secure broadband connectivity and broadband communications on the move.
A two-way broadband satellite communications solution is comprised of the following elements:
| • | Communications satellite – Typically a satellite in geostationary orbit (synchronized with the earth’s orbit) or NGSO. |
| • | Satellite communications ground station equipment – These are devices that have a combination of data communications and Radio Frequency, or RF elements designed to deliver data via communication satellites. Examples of ground station equipment are remote site terminals, such as VSATs, central hub station systems, amplifiers, BUCs and antennas. |
| • | A VSAT is comprised of the following elements: |
| o | Modem – This is the device that modulates the digital data into an analog RF signal for delivery to the upconverter and demodulates the analog signals from the downconverter back into digital data. The modem, which is typically located indoors, performs data processing functions such as traffic management and prioritization and provides the digital interfaces (Ethernet port/s) for connecting to the user’s equipment (PC, switch, etc.). |
| o | Amplifiers and BUCs – These are the components that connect the ground station equipment with the antenna. The purpose of the amplifiers and BUCs is to amplify the power and convert the frequency of the transmitted RF signal. |
| o | Antenna – Antennas can vary quite significantly in size, power and complexity depending on the ground equipment they are connected to, and their application. For example, antennas connected to remote sites generally are in the range of one meter in diameter while those connected to the central hub system can be in the range of ten meters in diameter. Antennas used on moving platforms need to be compact and have a mechanically or electronically auto-pointing mechanism so that they can remain locked onto the satellite during motion. |
Broadband satellite networks are comprised of ground stations at multiple locations that communicate through a satellite, providing continent-wide wireless connectivity. Satellite broadband networks are used to provide a variety of traffic types such as broadband data, video and voice. The value chain of satellite network services consists of the following four main elements:
Satellite operators provide satellite capacity (a portion of the satellite’s bandwidth and power which is used to establish one or more communication channels). A typical GEO satellite can cover a geographic area the size of the continental U.S. or larger. NGSO satellite constellations are global and can cover most of the earth area. The satellite receives information from the ground station equipment, amplifies it and transmits it back to earth on a different frequency. Satellite operators sell the capacity in a variety of leasing agreements to their customers. Our technology is compatible with GEO and NGSO satellites, C‑band, Ku‑band and Ka‑band satellites including, special extended C‑band and extended Ku‑band satellites. Some of the leading satellite operators are Intelsat, SES, Telesat, Hispasat and Eutelsat. New potential large NGSO satellite constellation operators include SES (O3b mPOWER) SpaceX (Starlink), Amazon (Kuiper), Telesat (Lightspeed) and OneWeb.
Ground equipment providers manufacture network equipment for both satellite communications networks and broadcast markets. Satellite communications systems connect a large central earth station, called a hub, with multiple remote sites equipment, called VSATs (ranging from tens to thousands of sites), which communicate via satellite. We are a leading ground equipment provider for hubs, VSATs, high-power amplifiers and low-profile antennas for satellite communications on-the-move.
Communication service providers buy equipment from ground equipment providers, install and maintain such equipment, lease capacity from satellite operators and sell a full package of communication services to the end user.
End users are customers that use satellite communications equipment and services. Examples of end users range from enterprises to government ministries and defense organizations, to residential consumers.
System integrators are companies that provide customized solutions to end users by integrating the necessary equipment and services. For example, defense organizations often work with specialized system integrators that integrate various components, such as power amplifiers and low-profile antennas, into a satellite terminal.
Satellite broadband networks are typically systems deployed in a hub-and-spoke configuration, with remote locations connecting via satellite to a central hub station. Satellite communications networks have a diverse range of uses and applications, and provide communication services as a stand‑alone, alternative, or complementary service to terrestrial networks.
We believe that the advantages of satellite communications networks include:
| • | Universal availability – Satellite communications provide service to any location within a satellite footprint. |
| • | Timely implementation – Large satellite communications networks with thousands of remote sites can be deployed within a few weeks. |
| • | Broadcast and multicast capabilities – Satellite is an optimal solution for broadcast and multicast transmission as the satellite signal is simultaneously received by any group of users in the satellite footprint. |
| • | Reliability and service availability – Satellite communications network availability is high due to the satellite and ground equipment reliability, the small number of components in the network and terrestrial infrastructure independence. |
| • | Scalability – Satellite communications networks scale easily from a single site to thousands of locations. |
| • | Cost-effectiveness – The cost of satellite communications networks is independent of distance and therefore it is a cost-effective solution for networks comprised of multiple sites in remote locations. |
| • | Applications delivery – Satellite communications networks offer a wide variety of customer applications such as e‑mail, virtual private networks, video, voice, internet access, distance learning, cellular backhaul and financial transactions. |
| • | Portability and Mobility – Satellite communications solutions can be mounted on moving platforms for communications on the move, or deployed rapidly for communications in fixed locations and then relocated or moved as required. |
Given the technological and implementation benefits afforded by satellite communications networks, we believe that the market for satellite communications products and services will continue to grow. According to a 2022 report from Northern Sky Research, or NSR, a leading international telecom market research and consulting firm, the revenue growth for broadband equipment (VSAT, Antennas and RF Chains), is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate, or CAGR, of 18% through 2029.
Further, according to a 2022 NSR report, aggregated satellite capacity has grown significantly in recent years and is forecasted to grow further in the coming years. According to the report, the growing availability of satellite capacity has resulted in significant reduction in the cost of satellite capacity.
In addition, satellite communication is an effective solution for mobility, especially for maritime applications and for international flights.
New communications networks that integrate satellites operating in low or medium earth orbits (LEO, MEO or NGSO) have been launched and additional ones are scheduled to be launched in the coming years and are forecasted to account for a significant portion of the aggregated satellite capacity and of the equipment unit shipments to broadband satellite sites, platforms and subscribers.
The availability of auto-pointing satellite antennas designed for in-motion two-way communications has created market demand from both commercial and government/defense segments. These antennas are usually mounted on a moving platform (airplane, boat, train, unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs) and connected to a satellite terminal within or on the platform. An important requirement for these applications is that they have light-weight and low-profile antennas, to minimize air drag and fuel consumption. We believe that the demand for light-weight, low-profile antenna systems will increase as well.
Another important requirement emerging is for next generation SSPA’s able to provide high output power, greater efficiency and field-proven reliability in smaller, lighter weight product packages suitable for fixed, mobile, and airborne antenna systems. These amplifiers designed and thoroughly tested for use in extreme environments, help provide uninterrupted connectivity to support mission-critical defense operations, as well as demanding inflight connectivity and consumer broadband applications.
There are six primary market categories that require broadband satellite products and services:
Enterprise and Business. End-users include large companies and organizations, Small-Medium Enterprises, or SMEs, and Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) users. For enterprises, satellite communications networks offer network connectivity and deliver voice, data and video within corporations (known as corporate intranets), internet access, transaction‑based connectivity that enables on‑line data delivery such as point‑of‑sale (credit and debit card authorization), inventory control and real time stock exchange trading.
Cellular Backhaul. Cellular networks comprised of backhaul connections to connect the cellular base stations that serve multiple customers. Cellular backhaul connectivity requires more demanding network performance. These requirements usually include a high level of quality of service, or QoS, high speed connectivity, and more control over the network. Satellite backhaul applications include both primary and backup connectivity.
Rural Telecommunications. The rural telecommunications market is comprised of communities throughout the world that require telephone, and internet access in areas that are unserved or underserved by existing telecommunications services. These communication services are usually provided to the rural population via government‑subsidized initiatives. This market sector is comprised of “Build‑Operate” projects, in which governments subsidize the establishment and the operation of a rural network to be served by a satellite, wireless or cellular service provider that is usually selected in a bid process. In other instances, local communications operators have universal service obligations, or USOs, which require them to serve rural areas lacking terrestrial infrastructure. Some local communications operators elect to fulfill this obligation by hiring third parties in a model known as BOT. In these instances, the network is established and made operational by a third-party service provider, which operates it for a certain period of time and then it is transferred to the operator.
Consumer. The consumer market consists of residential users. These users require a high‑speed internet connection similar to a digital subscriber line, or DSL, or cable modem service. Internet connectivity in all reaches of the world is a means to provide equal opportunity to all and digital inclusion, which is part of our vision and mission.
Government. The government sector consists of homeland security and military users. The versatility, reliability, and resiliency of satellite broadband networks, the in-motion low profile antennas and the lightweight SSPAs are a perfect fit for security and armed forces. For example, low power lightweight satellite communications systems can be quickly deployed in disaster areas, as a replacement for destroyed wireless or wire line networks, providing communication services to emergency personnel and law enforcement units. Another growing government-related market is the social inclusion market, characterized by government initiatives providing internet connectivity to un-connected communities.
Mobility. The mobility market is comprised of on the move platforms, on land at sea and in the air, such as aircraft, ships, trains and vehicles, that require broadband connectivity. Satellite-based solutions for these platforms include ground network platform, modems, on-the-move antennas and transceivers.
Our Competitive Strengths
We are a leading provider of satellite communication and networking products and services. Our competitive strengths include:
Market leadership in large and growing markets. Since our inception, we have sold more than 1.6 million satellite terminals (VSATs) and over 40,000 BUCs, SSPAs and Transceivers and many other products, to customers in approximately 100 countries. Our customer base includes a large number of satellite‑based communications service providers, system integrators and operators worldwide. In addition, we are one of the largest satellite communications service providers to rural communities in Latin America.
Technology leadership. We have been at the forefront of satellite communications technology and services for over 30 years and continue to be an innovator and developer of new satellite technologies. Our customizable satellite communications technology enables us to provide a wide range of broadband, internet, voice, data and video solutions to our customers. We offer hubs and optimized satellite terminals (VSATs) which can attain a rate of up to 400 Mbps and plan to supply speeds over 1 Gbps. Our product and operations infrastructure are capable of running hubs with greater than 99.8% availability while rolling out thousands of new VSAT site locations each month. In 2022, we launched SkyEdge IV – our next generation system for VHTS and NGSO that will join our successful proven SkyEdge product family. SkyEdge IV is targeted as a solution for the latest state-of-the art VHTS Software Defined Satellites (SDS) that will be launched in the coming decade. SkyEdge IV provides extreme high performance and space segment efficiency. Our product lines are known for their durability and resilience. We provide advanced on-the- move terminals, including all components such as antennas, BUCs and modems. Our low-profile, satellite communications on-the-move solutions antennas provide reliable broadband communications for commercial and defense applications. Our SSPAs provide high performance, even at the extreme end of temperature and environmental performance specifications. X-Architecture, our cloud-based distributed architecture, and our Electronically-Steered Array/Phased Array Antenna (ESA/PAA) are our leading innovations that, we believe, have positioned us as a leader in providing satellite communications technology. With SkyEdge IV we introduced our next generation Elastix-Architecture that provides substantial improvements in scalability and performance. Our research, development and engineering teams, located in several locations worldwide, enable us to rapidly develop new features and applications. Moreover, by directly serving end-users through our service organizations, we are able to quickly respond to changing market conditions and maintain our position in the market.
Global presence and local support. We have sold our products in approximately 100 countries on six continents. Our products and services are used by a large and diverse group of customers including some of the largest enterprises in the world, several government agencies and many rural communities. We have 15 sales and service offices worldwide. Through our network of offices, we are able to maintain a two-tier customer support program offering local support offices and a centralized supply facility.
Complementary business lines for turnkey solutions. Our operating segments are able to provide a full turnkey solution to our customers by integrating a diverse range of value‑added products and services. Our product and service offerings - satellite communications network equipment, small cell solutions, power amplifiers, low-profile satellite communications on-the-move terminals, antennas, installation, operation and maintenance – provide communication services ranging from broadband, internet, voice, data and video to managed solutions that can be customized and are flexible. Our business model enables us to be attuned to our customers’ needs and to adapt to changing market trends. Our satellite communications-based networks sometimes serve as platforms for the delivery of complete systems, providing versatile solutions for enterprises, government agencies, SMEs, rural communities, SOHOs and consumers.
Diversified revenue streams and customer base. In the year ended December 31, 2022, approximately 62% of our revenues were generated from equipment sales and 38% of our revenues were generated from services. Our equipment sales are generally independent equipment orders which often generate maintenance contracts and additional opportunities for future equipment sales and also include the revenues from the construction phase of large-scale projects. Our service sales are characterized by long-term contracts that provide a recurring revenue base. In the year ended December 31, 2022, our three operating segments, Satellite Networks, Integrated Solutions and Network Infrastructure and Services, accounted for 50%, 26% and 24% of our revenues, respectively.
Delivery Capabilities. Over the years we have demonstrated our ability to deploy communication networks in the most remote areas, which are difficult both to reach and service. This experience enhances both our ability to plan and implement sophisticated communication networks in remote areas, as well as in challenging terrain, and our ability to meet technological challenges like a lack of electrical power infrastructure or a lack of any physical infrastructure. Our teams are proficient in delivering solutions in these areas.
Experienced management team. Our management is comprised of an experienced executive team. Our Company’s leadership is comprised of highly skilled senior managers who have an extensive experience each in her or his field of expertise, including high expertise in cutting-edge technology and field proven success in development of our business and organization.
Our Growth Strategy
Our objective is to leverage our technology and services capabilities in order to:
Continue to serve as a key partner of VHTS, HTS and NGSO satellite operators – We intend to continue to serve as a prime partner of VHTS/HTS operators, leveraging our new SE IV system which is a leading technology in this market (Elastix- Architecture for multi orbit and Software Defined satellites) and our breadth of services to deploy and operate both GEO and NGSO ground-based satellite communication networks.
Expand our presence in the IFC market – We continue to develop our hub and modem technology and our Ka and Ku airborne BUCs, Transceivers, and Power supplies to serve the connectivity needs of aviation service providers. We are also placing a focus on developing a flat Electronically Steered antenna leveraging our unique in-house developed ally technology. These solutions are designed to serve the high growth of IFC services in commercial aviation and business aviation markets.
Fortify our leadership position in the 4G/LTE and 5G cellular backhaul market - We intend to continue to leverage our technology, as well as our experience, to serve mobile network operators’ 4G/LTE and 5G connectivity needs in rural, metro-edge and metro areas with long term projects.
Expand our presence in the defense and on-the-move satcom market - We are increasing our focus on this growing market segment both in the United States and globally. We are also focusing efforts on the emerging opportunities both with products applicable for commercial and defense applications. We increased our investment in this market as we believe its global growth will contribute to our business. We believe that the SkyEdge IV system provides our satellite operator customers an attractive offering for defense and government agencies.
Provide internet broadband to rural areas – We intend to build on our experience in bringing broadband internet to rural areas in Latin America and Asia and identify additional markets in which to expand.
Our Businesses in 2022
Satellite Networks Segment
Overview
Our Satellite Networks operating segment provides satellite communications network systems and associated professional and in certain instances, managed satellite network services, to satellite operators, governments, Telcos and service providers worldwide. Our operational experience in deploying large networks together with our global network of local offices enable us to work closely and directly with those providers. We provide equipment, solutions and services to the commercial, mobile, government, enterprise, social inclusion solutions and consumer markets. We provide solutions tailored to the requirements of individual industries. Based on our open SkyEdge platform, our solutions provide added value to operators through better performance and integration as well as simpler deployment.
Our SkyEdge product family, including our SkyEdge II-c and SkyEdge IV products, allow us to deliver efficient, reliable and affordable broadband connectivity such as internet, voice, data and video. Both platforms support multiple applications such as Broadband Access, Enterprise connectivity; Cellular Backhaul and Mobility applications.
We also support satellite networking through professional services, training and a full range of turnkey solutions and outsourced network operations.
Products and Solutions
Broadband Satellite Network Systems
SkyEdge II-c and SkyEdge IV systems support large-scale broadband services for enterprise, cellular backhaul, IFC, maritime and consumer, applications, including fast web browsing, high-speed trunking, video streaming, internet Protocol Television, or IPTV, Voice Over internet Protocol, or VoIP, and other bandwidth-intensive services. Our SkyEdge II-c system and SkyEdge IV system (when fully developed) also support cellular backhauling of 2G, 3G, 4G/ LTE and 5G technologies. The SkyEdge II-c system designed with highest scalability supporting multi satellite - multi beam networks, with any number of gateways and user terminals. The SkyEdge II-c platform supports four VSAT types: Scorpio, Gemini, Capricorn, and Taurus. It includes a unified, centralized network management system, or Total NMS which manages all hub elements at all gateways from a central NOC location and enables the definition of different types of virtual network operators to support different types of business models and services in multiple regions. Enhanced FCAPS functions, or fault-management, configuration, accounting, performance, and security, a network management framework created by the International Organization for Standardization and the electronic machine to machine interface, enable full visibility, control and seamless integration with the operator’s operations support system/ business support system, or OSS/BSS, environment. As part of our road map to support multi-service capabilities and very high speed (up to 1.5 Gbps) services we recently launched SkyEdge IV which uses a new VSAT platform – Aquarius. Our plan is to gradually support all the segments that are currently supported by SkyEdge II-c, including mobility, enterprise, cellular backhaul and consumer.
Our VSATs provide operational simplicity and reduced operational expenditures. They provide simple VSAT installation that expedites deployment and reduces costs. The VSAT customer premises equipment, or CPE, includes an intuitive graphical user interface that guide the installer step by step through the installation and service activation process.
SkyEdge II-c Gemini is a family of compact high-throughput routers, designed to enable high speed broadband services while meeting cost efficiencies required by residential customers and businesses. Gemini enables fast web browsing, video streaming, IPTV, VoIP, and other bandwidth intensive services. This solution comes in variations for enterprise applications such as retail, banking, automatic teller machines, or ATMs, lotteries and USO/USF government-funded programs aimed to expand broadband connectivity to underserved regions.
SkyEdge II-c Capricorn, including our SkyEdge II-c Capricorn PLUS, is a family of ultra-high-performance satellite routers that are used for corporate services, 2G/3G/4G/5G cellular backhauling, IP trunks and mobility services. For IP trunks and mobility, Capricorn delivers acceleration and packet-per-second performance that support hundreds of users per VSAT. For LTE cellular backhauling, Capricorn includes our patented (granted in Japan, U.S. and patent-pending in other countries) cellular data acceleration technology that enables full LTE speeds of up to 150Mbps for cellular handheld devices. To reach these high return speeds, Capricorn supports both Time Division Multiple Access, or TDMA, and Single Channel Per Carrier, or SCPC, transmission. Some of the Capricorn VSATs are planned to also operate on SkyEdge IV.
SkyEdge II-c Taurus used for in-flight satellite communication connectivity with simultaneous support for broadband IFC and internet Protocol Television, or IPTV and is a key component of our Ku and Ka aeronautical satellite communication solution, as our ultra-high-performance aero-modem manager (MODMAN) for in-flight connectivity. Taurus is planned to be supported by SkyEdge IV and will allow continuous operations of IFC between the systems.
SkyEdge IV Aquarius is a new family of VSATs that we plan to introduce which will support higher speeds of up to 1.5 Gbps. The Aquarius VSAT family is based on a next generation technology that will support the demands of 5G, and very high speeds for mobility and maritime. It will feature a new capability that will allow roaming between NGSO and GEO networks (for example SES mPOWER and GEO). Our plan is to release over the next few years a range of VSATs - Aquarius-Pro (enterprise, mobility and cellular backhaul indoor use), Aquarius-Outdoor (enterprise, mobility, cellular backhaul outdoor use), Aquarius-S (SCPC symmetric applications) and Aquarius-E (lower cost enterprise application) that will support Mobile Edge Computing, TDMA and SCPC applications, operations with Very Low Signal to Noise Ratio for mobility and defense applications.
Satellite Networks Solutions
Vertical Solutions
We target specific vertical markets where our products and solutions are most suitable and in which we have multiple references and credibility. These vertical markets include the mobility, cellular backhaul, enterprise, oil and gas, banking and finance and rural and e-government markets, among others.
System Integration and Turnkey Implementation
We have expanded our business beyond core VSAT networks to deliver complete and comprehensive solutions to meet our customers’ needs even where VSATs are not the main part of the solution. We see a growth in market demand for vendors capable of fully delivering integrated solutions for interdisciplinary, communication based projects.
In certain other situations, we are required to provide our VSAT solutions in a turnkey mode where we are responsible for the complete end-to-end solution. In the case of turnkey solutions, and occasionally in projects requiring system integrations, we provide our customers with a full and comprehensive solution including:
| • | Project management – accompanying the customer through all stages of a project and ensuring that the project objectives are within the predefined scope, time and budget; |
| • | Satellite network design – translating the customer’s requirements into a system to be deployed, performing the sizing and dimensioning of the system and evaluating the available solutions; |
| • | Deployment logistics – transportation and rapid installation of equipment in all of the network sites; |
| • | Implementation and integration – combining our equipment with third party equipment such as solar panel systems and surveillance systems as well as developing tools to allow the customer to monitor and control the system; |
| • | Operational services – providing professional services, program management, network operations and field services; and |
| • | Maintenance and support – providing 24/7 helpdesk services, on-site technician support and equipment repairs and updates. |
| • | Space segment - where applicable, providing space capacity with back to back agreements with the satellite operators. |
Manufacturing, Customer Support and Warranty
Our products are designed and tested at our facilities in Israel as well as our four other R&D facilities around the world. We outsource a significant portion of the VSAT and hub products manufacturing to third parties. We also work with third‑party vendors for the development and manufacture of components integrated into our products, as well as for assembly of components for our products.
We offer a customer care program for our products, which we refer to as SatCare, and professional services programs that improve customer network availability through ongoing support and maintenance cycles.
As part of our professional services, we provide:
| • | Outsourced operations such as VSAT installation, service commissioning and hub operations; |
| • | Proactive troubleshooting, such as periodic network analysis, to identify symptoms in advance; and |
| • | Training and certification to ensure customers and local installers are proficient in VSAT operation. |
We typically provide a one-year warranty to our customers as part of our standard contract.
Marketing and Sales
We use both direct and indirect sales channels to market our products, solutions and services. Our Fixed Networks segment has organized its sales activities by geographic areas, with groups or subsidiaries covering most regions of the world. Our sales teams are comprised of account managers and sales engineers who establish account relationships and determine technical and business requirements for the customer’s network. These teams also support the other distribution channels with advanced technical capabilities and application experience. Sales cycles in the VSAT network market vary significantly, with some sales requiring 18 months and even more, from an initial lead through signing of the contract, while sales stemming from an immediate need for product delivery can be completed within two to three months. The sales process includes gaining an understanding of customer needs, several network design iterations and network demonstrations.
Customers and Markets
We provide our Satellite Communication solutions to satellite operators, governments, system integrators, telecommunication companies and MNOs, satellite communication providers, ISPs, and homeland security and defense agencies. Our customers benefit from:
| • | a single accountable partner for all of their satellite communication network needs; |
| • | high credibility and experience; |
| • | local presence and partnerships; |
| • | industry-leading technology and system integration; |
| • | flexibility and customization; and |
| • | proven ability to deliver innovative end-to-end solutions. |
We sell and distribute our products and provide services internationally, particularly in Latin America, Asia, Asia Pacific, the U.S., Africa and Europe.
We sell VSAT communications networks and solutions primarily to service providers that mostly serve the enterprise consumer, cellular backhauling, and mobility market. We have hundreds of such customers worldwide.
Enterprise and service provider customers use our networks for internet access, broadband data, voice and video connectivity and for applications such as credit card authorizations, online banking, corporate intranet, interactive distance learning, lottery transactions, retail point‑of‑sale, inventory control and supervisory control and data acquisition, or SCADA, services.
Service providers serving the rural communications market are typically public telephony and internet operators providing telephony and internet services through public call offices, telecenters, internet cafes or pay phones. Some of the rural communication projects are for government customers. Examples of our rural telecom customers include Telefonica in Peru, Cable & Wireless in Panama and SCT in Mexico.
Service providers for the consumer market are typically Telcos planning to expand internet service to the consumer markets.
Our VSAT networks also provide underserved areas with a high-speed internet connection similar to DSL service provided to residential users. Among such customers are Optus in Australia, Hispasat in Latin America, and SBBS in several countries in Europe.
Public Rural Telecom Services:
In a large number of remote and rural areas, primarily in developing countries, there is limited or no telephone or internet service, due to inadequate terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure. In these areas, VSAT networks utilize existing satellites to rapidly provide high-quality, cost-effective telecommunications solutions. In contrast to terrestrial networks, VSAT networks are simple to reconfigure or expand, relatively immune to difficulties of topography and can be situated almost anywhere. Additionally, VSATs can be installed and connected to a network quickly without the need to rely on local infrastructure. For example, some of our VSATs are powered by solar energy where there is no existing power infrastructure. Our VSATs provide reliable service, seldom require maintenance and, when necessary, repair is relatively simple.
As a result of the above advantages, there is a demand for government‑sponsored, VSAT-based bundled services of fixed telephony and internet access. Many of these government‑funded projects have been expanded to provide not only telephony services and internet access, but to also provide tele-centers that can serve the local population. These tele-centers include computers, printers, fax machines, photocopiers and TVs for educational programs. Additional revenue may be received, both in the form of subsidies and direct revenues from the users, when these additional services are provided.
Enterprise and Government Agencies
We provide network equipment and related services to selected enterprises and government agencies. In some markets, existing telecom operators are mandated by the government to provide universal services. Providing these services in remote areas is a challenge to these operators, and they sometimes outsource these services to rural telecom service providers. These customers contract with Gilat Peru for VSAT equipment and associated network services to be deployed at customer locations, typically for a contract term of three to five years. We also resell managed terrestrial connectivity equipment and services from facilities‑based Local Exchange Carrier partners.
Mobility Solutions
We provide satellite communication on the move systems with solutions for land, sea and air, while placing major focus on IFC. Our portfolio includes a cloud based VSAT network platform, high-speed modems, high performance on-the-move antennas and high efficiency, high power SSPAs and BUCs.
SkyEdge family of Network Systems
We utilize our SkyEdge II-c and SkyEdge IV systems to deliver efficient, reliable and affordable broadband connectivity such as internet, voice, data and video in travelling environments. The systems supports bandwidth-intensive services with a network management system that can manage all hub elements at all gateways from a central NOC location.
SkyEdge II-c Taurus
SkyEdge II-c Taurus is used for in-flight satellite communication connectivity with simultaneous support for broadband IFC and internet Protocol Television, or IPTV and is a key component of our Ku and Ka aeronautical satellite communication solution, as our ultra-high-performance aero-modem manager (MODMAN) for in-flight connectivity. All SkyEdge II-c VSATs are full-featured IP routers, supporting enhanced IP routing features such as DHCP, NAT/PAT and IGMP. Advanced application-based QoS, guarantees the performance of real-time applications such as VoIP and video streaming, while also supporting other data applications. SkyEdge II-c VSATs also support next generation IPv6 networking. Taurus will also be supported on SkyEdge IV.
SkyEdge IV
The SkyEdge IV system is our next generation system for mobility. In addition to providing backward compatibility to the Taurus VSAT it is planned to support new mobility speeds of up to 1.5Gbps for IFC and Maritime with the Aquarius family. SkyEdge IV will also allow smooth operation between GEO and MEO on the same VSATs.
BlackRay
Our BlackRay Satellite Communication terminals are specially designed for UAV and USV applications. These terminals have been used worldwide in commercial and military applications which require high-throughput communications and minimal size, weight, and power. The system’s miniscule dimensions allow Beyond-Line-of-Sight (BLoS) operations for even the smallest platforms, in harsh weather conditions, while supporting video and data downlink and uplink applications. These highly integrated terminals feature best-of-breed antenna, modem and BUC technologies developed and manufactured by us. Customized solutions of the BlackRay platform are also available for specific customer platforms and needs.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles - Our BlackRay panel and parabolic systems serve the critical need to exploit the full capabilities of an aircraft’s operational range. As one of the industry’s smallest and most compact aerial solutions in its category, our integrated approach can dramatically increase mission effectiveness.
Raysat Low-Profile Satellite Communication on the Move Antenna Systems
Our RaySat series consists of low-profile, in-motion, two-way antennas for satellite communication on the move. Compact, aerodynamic and vehicle-mounted, RaySat antennas deliver mission-critical data, voice and video in real-time. Our RaySat products operate in Ku and Ka bands and are intended for both civilian and military satellite communication on the move applications such as:
| • | In-Flight Connectivity and UAS – Single and Dual Band solutions for commercial, business and military aviation including panel based high efficiency antennas. In early 2022, we successfully demonstrated with Airbus a flat ESA antenna with no moving parts. |
| • | Train Data Connectivity – Reliable and wide band alternative to cellular based data connectivity for trains over satellite supporting high-speed trains. Provides access in remote and rural places with smooth coverage and cross-country access with no roaming limitation; |
| • | Military - strategic military advantage by supporting the transfer of real-time intelligence while on-the-move with a small, low profile, hard to track antenna; |
| • | Digital satellite news gathering – always on, no set up time, real-time streaming video;
First responders - supports vehicles’ mobility, agility and stability required for teams to be the first to reach the scene; and |
| • | Search and exploration teams, close-to-shore vessels etc. |
A full suite of two-way, low-profile antennas is available with multiple onboard tracking sensors, enabling accurate tracking, short initial acquisition and instantaneous reacquisition. RaySat antenna products are designed, manufactured and assembled at our facilities in Bulgaria.
RaySat Antenna Products
| • | RaySat ER7000 maximizes throughput using high-efficiency waveguide panel technology and the antenna’s light weight ensures easy and safe vehicle mounting. It has been widely deployed on trains and large vehicles worldwide. |
| • | Electronically-Steered-Array, Phased-Array Antenna (ESA/PAA) (Ka, Ku) is an ultra-slim (low-profile) antenna with no moving parts that electronically steers the transmission and reception beams towards the satellite, allowing operation even around the equator. The antenna design is highly scalable, with array dimensions that can be changed to optimally match specific gain requirements, making it suitable for a wide range of mobile platforms (aerial, land and maritime) and various throughput performance needs. Owing to its scalability and ultra-low profile, the antenna is particularly suited to supporting mobile connectivity for platforms that are constrained by size and weight. |
| • | Other Antennas that are currently supported are RaySat’s SR300; BRP 60; BR 71/72 and ER5000. SR 300 and ER 5000 are COTM antennas that are used for commercial defense and government applications. BRP 60 and BR71/72 are used for UAS applications. |
Integrated Solutions Segment
Our Integrated solution operating segment designs and manufactures next generation SSPA’s for mission-critical defense and broadcast satellite communications systems. Our innovative, patented Spatial AdvantEdge™ technology provides higher output power, greater reliability and lower energy usage in more compact packages than traditional amplifier solutions. Integrated Solutions product line meets the growing demand for greater efficiency and significant lifecycle cost reductions for satellite communications systems worldwide.
Integrated Solutions headquarters, research and development, engineering and manufacturing facilities are located in San Dimas, California, with an additional research and development centers in Israel, Singapore and Bulgaria. Integrated Solutions product line is manufactured in the San Dimas facility.
The Integrated Solutions product line addresses the following applications and markets:
| • | Defense Communications - satellite-based airborne and highly secured point-to-point. This market is typically categorized by customers requiring high quality products – at times for mission critical communications in extreme environmental conditions. The satellite terminals (e.g., VSAT, Single Channel Per Carrier, or SCPC) are usually provided to the defense agencies via system integrators and not directly from the power amplifier suppliers. |
| • | Government - public safety, emergency response and disaster recovery. Similar to the market for defense agencies, though usually less demanding in terms of environmental conditions, these terminals are provided to various local, state and federal agencies that need to manage. emergency communications. The satellite terminals (e.g., VSAT, SCPC) are usually provided via system integrators or service providers and not directly from the power amplifier suppliers. |
| • | Commercial terminals - A high power amplifier is used with high-end VSAT terminals for various applications where there is the requirement to transmit large amounts of data. Examples include airborne IFC terminals/antennas in commercial and business airplanes, high speed for internet access, NGSO satellite constellations and gateway opportunities. The satellite terminals/antennas are usually provided via system integrators, service providers or airframe manufacturers and not directly from the power amplifier suppliers. |
Integrated Solutions customers include the US Army, Tampa Microwave, DataPath, General Dynamics Satcom Mission Systems, Honeywell International Inc., L-3 Harris, Anuvu, and Hughes Networks System LLC.
RF amplifiers, BUCs and transceivers
The Integrated Solutions product line consists of RF amplifiers, BUCs and transceivers that use solid-state sources to produce high power at microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies. Our patented Spatial AdvantEdge™ technology allows us to create more compact product packages that provide higher power, greater reliability and improved efficiency for any mission-critical applications. The spatially power combined amplifier employs a different technique for combining the transistor outputs than traditional Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit, or MMIC, based amplifiers. Rather than combining in multiple steps, increasing loss and size with each combining stage, all transistor outputs are combined in a single step. Many amplifying elements synchronously amplify the input signal, and their outputs are combined in free space for very high combining efficiency.
Our Integrated Solutions patented technology allows us to create amplifiers and BUCs with high output power in more compact product packages that generate less heat, use less energy, and reduce lifecycle costs. Our Integrated Solutions products help customers meet the stringent power requirements for mission-critical communications system. We perform full factory acceptance testing on every unit we manufacture and deliver, ensuring each product has guaranteed performance over the full temperature range and over extended frequency bands.
We believe that we have established a leadership position with our compact, highly efficient SSPAs with a field-proven family of high to medium powered Ka, Ku, and X band products. Our Integrated Solutions line of products are designed and tested to meet strenuous requirements for temperature, shock and vibration, over the full range of frequency and at the extremes of environmental performance specifications. Our Integrated Solutions field-proven technology and reputation for innovation and quality drive solutions for multiple applications targeting military, aerospace, commercial and broadcast satellite systems.
AeroStream™
The Integrated Solutions AeroStream™ is a state-of-the-art transceiver for challenging inflight satellite communications environments. AeroStream products meet RTCA/DO-160G, Boeing, Airbus and ARINC specifications for commercial aircraft as well as MIL-STD requirements for military aircraft. The AeroStream™ transceiver is in certification process with the FAA. AeroStream incorporates Integrated Solutions next generation Spatial AdvantEdge™ technology to provide high power output with greater efficiency and reliability for airborne satellite communications applications. The AeroStream transceiver offers all necessary interfaces to work seamlessly with leading modems and Antenna Control Units, or ACUs, to provide a convenient turnkey solution. We offer fully integrated solutions based on our own technology and components. Our integrated solutions feature the highest standards of reliability and efficiency combining our own VSAT/modems, antennas and BUCs. We leverage our innovative and industry-leading technological capabilities from R&D centers around the world.
Network Infrastructure and Services Segment
Overview
We provide network infrastructure construction of the fiber and wireless network of PRONATEL in Peru mainly through BOT and BOO contracts subsidized by the government. Accordingly, we build the infrastructure, act as a licensed telecommunications operator for a defined period and in some of the cases, then transfer the network to the customer (a governmental entity).
We have been awarded large-scale government contracts to build and operate, and in certain cases, to, transfer fiber and wireless networks of PRONATEL in Peru, namely the Peru Regionals Projects. We expect to continue to generate additional revenues from the PRONATEL Regional Projects to be operated by us by enabling cellular carriers and other service providers to acquire capacity over these networks to address the growing needs for voice, data, and internet in these regions, as well as the development of platforms for e-learning, e-health and similar applications. These additional revenues together with the revenue from the operation of the networks are part of our Fixed Networks segment revenues, while the construction of the PRONATEL Regional Projects is accounted under our Terrestrial Infrastructure Projects segment (see in this Item below).
In March and December 2015, we were awarded four PRONATEL Regional Projects by the Peruvian government with expected revenues of $395 million over approximately 14-16 years, for the construction of fiber-optic transport network and access networks based on wireless technologies, operation of the networks for a defined period and their transfer to the government. We have completed the construction phase of the four PRONATEL Regional Projects awarded to us in 2015 and are in the operation phase of the access network. We will operate the access networks for 10 years, prior to transferring them to the Peruvian government.
In 2018, we were awarded two additional PRONATEL Regional Projects for the construction and operation of networks with contractual value of approximately $154 million. The construction phase was prolonged due to continued delays and due to preventative measures taken by Peruvian governmental authorities with respect to COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the expected total duration of these projects is expected to be 16 years. Under these PRONATEL Regional Projects we will deliver transport networks and operate them for up to eighteen months before transferring them to the Peruvian government. The access networks, which we will operate for 10 years, will be owned by us.
In September 2021, PRONATEL awarded us a two-year contract for the operation and maintenance of the transport networks that are part of the projects awarded to us in March 2015 and a three-year contract for the operation and maintenance of the transport networks that are part of the project awarded to us in December 2015.
Our Peruvian subsidiary has offices in Lima, Peru as well as in the principal cities in the regions awarded.
Sales and Marketing
We use direct and indirect sales channels to market our equipment and related services. Our sales team of account managers and sales engineers are the primary account interfaces and work to establish account relationships and determine technical and business demands.
Competition
The telecommunications industry operates in a competitive, rapidly changing market. In some cases, our competitors can also be our customers or partners. Accordingly, maintaining an open and cooperative relationship is essential.
In the equipment market, we face competition from providers of satellite communications systems, products and services, such as HNS, ViaSat, ST Engineering iDirect, Comtech and a few other smaller providers.
We compete in some HTS and VHTS markets with competitors such as HNS that have launched high throughput satellites. Although we have entered the HTS and VHTS market with competitive technology, we expect competition in this market will continue to increase.
Due to the nature of the satellite solution, the VSAT technology is, at times, commercially tied to the satellite technology itself, and, consequently, there may be circumstances where it is difficult for competitors to compete with an incumbent VSAT vendor using the particular satellite.
Our low-profile on the move antennas compete with products from competitors such as Cobham, Panasonic Corporation, Orbit, GetSat, Thinkom, C-Com Satellite Systems Inc., Wiworld Co Ltd., L-3 Harris, SATPRO M&C Tech Co., Ltd. and Tecom. This market is nascent, and not as mature as the satellite communications or satellite services markets.
Our primary competitors with respect to our BUCs and other Integrates Solutions products are CPI, General Dynamics Satcom Technologies, Paradise Datacom, Xicom, and Mission Microwave Technologies.
Where we primarily operate public rural telecom services (voice, data and internet) and are engaged in construction of fiber-optic transport and access networks based on wireless systems, we typically encounter competition on government subsidized bids from various service providers, system integrators and consortiums. Some of these competitors offer solutions based on VSAT technology and some on terrestrial technologies (typically, fiber-optic and wireless technologies). In addition, as competing technologies such as cellular network and fiber-optic become available in rural areas where not previously available, our business could be adversely affected. We may not be able to compete successfully against current or future competitors. Such competition may adversely affect our future revenues and, consequently, our business, operating results and financial condition.
Certain consolidations and acquisitions have occurred during the last few years among key players in the market, such as Intelsat and Gogo, Viasat, and RigNet, Viasat and Inmarsat (which is pending closing), Eutelsat and OneWeb (which is pending closing), Hispasat and Axess. These market changes affect the competitive landscape and position Gilat in rivalry with more significant consolidated corporations with comprehensive resources. On the other hand, such changes may lead to new opportunities for our business.
Geographic Distribution of Our Business
The following table sets forth our revenues from operations by geographic area for the periods indicated below as a percent of our total sales:
| | | Years Ended December 31, | |
| | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
| | | | | | | |
U.S.
| | | 40 | % | | | 34 | % | | | 36 | % |
| Peru | | | 24 | % | | | 23 | % | | | 27 | % |
| Israel | | | 1 | % | | | 3 | % | | | 2 | % |
| Other | | | 35 | % | | | 40 | % | | | 35 | % |
| Total | | | 100 | % | | | 100 | % | | | 100 | % |
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Practices
For over 30 years, we have worked to fulfil our vision to make connectivity accessible and available to individuals, corporations and community institutions in the unserved and underserved regions of the globe, thus bridging the digital divide via satellite communication. As a global company, we are committed to fulfil our vision alongside our commitment to act responsibly considering our community and the world we live in. As part of this commitment we set our guidelines and policies on various subjects, and we are continuously learning and looking at ways to improve our ESG strategy.
Social Investment and Volunteer Statement. As part of our standards for corporate responsibility, we acknowledge the importance of social contribution, and therefore participate and encourage our employees to participate in different volunteering and donation activities in the communities in which our employees reside on a regular basis.
Human rights and labor policy. We are committed to protect human rights and conduct our businesses without infringing human rights. We are further committed to conduct fair labor standard, and to create a safe working environment that contributes to our employees’ well-being, where they can feel empowered, challenged, and have the tools to thrive. We also acknowledge the importance of our employees’ health, and have adopted a health, safety and environment policy.
Workforce Diversity and Equality Statement. We are a global company, operating in multiple countries around the world. The scope and nature of our projects and business activities often require the involvement and collaboration of employees with various backgrounds, from different jurisdictions. We find this multicultural diversity approach as a way to help the company and our employees to develop and succeed.
Training policy. We implement organizational learning processes and invest in the professional knowledge and development of our employees, in order to improve their work skills and achievements, and encourage their desire for success. Such approach is aligned with our values, and we believe that it will contribute to our businesses as well.
Anti-Slavery Policy. We firmly condemn any kind of modern slavery or any human trafficking.
Environmental Standards
We recognize the increasing importance of protecting the environment and fighting climate change, and therefore we have taken actions and are working on additional actions that may help ensuring the sustainability of the world’s resources and environment.
Environmental Policy. We have adopted a Conflict Minerals Policy and encourage our suppliers and sub-contractors to comply with the foregoing as well.
Corporate Governance
Corporate governance guidelines. We have adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines to assist the Board and its committees in the exercise of their duties and responsibilities and to serve the best interests of our company, in a manner consistent with applicable laws and stock exchange rules and the company’s articles of association.
Committee Charters. We have adopted written charters specifying the duties and responsibilities of each of our Audit Committee and Compensation Committee to assist the committee members in carrying out their responsibilities.
Ethics
Code of ethics. As a worldwide leader in satellite networking technology, solutions and services, we are committed to conduct our business ethically, and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. We expect such behavior and conduct from all of our directors, officers and employees (including those of our subsidiaries). Our written public policy sets our standards and expectations.
Privacy Policy
We respect and value the privacy of data subjects whose personal information we may process. Our privacy policies inter alia describe how we (including our subsidiaries) collect, use, process and share personal information of data subjects in our premises, website and during our business activities, and also explain the rights data subject may have in relation to their personal information.
Whistleblower Procedure
In order to support and ensure compliance with our standards, practices and policies, we have in placed a mechanism that allows our employees to anonymously report actual or suspected misconduct through designated channels. We find this mechanism important in order to maintain higher standard of ethical conduct.
Insider Trading Policy
Our insider trading policy applies to our personnel and personnel of our subsidiaries worldwide, and provides guidelines relating to of improper conduct by anyone that is employed by the company or otherwise associated with our company, with respect to transactions in the securities of, and non-disclosure of information regarding our company and its business.
Anti-Corruption and anti-Bribery Policy.
Our policy prohibiting briary and corruption applies to our directors, officers and employees, and also to our business partners worldwide. We have also adopted anti-corruption guidelines that apply to all our commercial transactions and commitments, including our subsidiaries and officers worldwide.
| C. | Organizational Structure |
| Significant Subsidiaries | Country/State
of Incorporation | % Ownership |
| | | |
| 1. Gilat Satellite Networks (Holland) B.V. | Netherlands
| 100%
|
| 2. Wavestream Corporation | Delaware (U.S.) | 100%
|
| 3. Gilat Networks Peru S.A | Peru | 100%
|
| 4. Gilat to Home Peru S.A | Peru | 100%
|
| 5. Gilat Satellite Networks (Mexico) S.A. de C.V. | Mexico
| 100%
|
| 6. Wavestream Corporation (Asia) Pte. Ltd. | Singapore
| 100%
|
| 7. Gilat do Brazil Ltda. | Brazil
| 100%
|
| 8. Gilat Satellite Networks Australia Pty Ltd. | Australia
| 100%
|
| 9. Gilat Satellite Networks (Eurasia) Limited | Russia
| 100%
|
| 10. Gilat Satellite Networks MDC (Moldova) | Moldova
| 100%
|
| 11. Raysat Bulgaria EOOD | Bulgaria
| 100%
|
| 12. Gilat Satellite Communication Technology (Beijing) Ltd. | China
| 100%
|
| 13. Gilat Satellite Networks (Philippines) Inc. | Philippines
| 100%
|
| D. | Property, Plants and Equipment |
Our headquarters are located in a modern office park which we own in Petah Tikva, Israel. This facility consists of approximately 380,000 square feet, a substantial part of which are currently used by us and the remainder is subleased or offered for sublease to third parties.
We have local Global NOCs coverage in Australia, Moldova and Peru from which we perform network services and customer support functions.
We own approximately 13,500 square feet of research and development facilities and rent approximately 12,600 square feet of manufacturing facilities in Sofia, Bulgaria, which lease will expire on May 31, 2023, and rent approximately 10,000 square feet in Moldova for research and development, global service and global NOC activities. Our Wavestream subsidiary currently leases approximately 44,972 square feet of office space, research and development and manufacturing facilities in San Dimas. The lease agreement will expire on October 31, 2024. Our subsidiaries in Peru currently occupy approximately 29,000 square feet of office space, and NOC facilities in Lima, which leases will expire between 2023 and 2025.
We sold our 55,700 square feet facilities in Backnang, Germany.
We also maintain facilities in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, China, Peru, Australia, Thailand, India, Singapore and Russia along with representative offices in Texas, Kazakhstan, Philippines and Indonesia.
We believe that our current office space, research and development and manufacturing facilities are sufficient to meet our anticipated needs for the foreseeable future and suitable for the conduct of our business.
| ITEM 4A: | UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS |
There are no unresolved staff comments.
| ITEM 5: | OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS |
The following discussion of our results of operations should be read together with our audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes, which appear elsewhere in this annual report. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current plans, estimates and beliefs and involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include those discussed below and elsewhere in this annual report.
Description of Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd.
We are a leading global provider of satellite-based broadband communications. We believe in the right of all people to be connected. Our mission is to create and deliver deep technology solutions for satellite, ground and new space connectivity. We design and manufacture ground-based satellite communications equipment, and provide comprehensive solutions and end-to-end services, powered by our technology. Our portfolio comprises a cloud-based satellite network platform, VSATs, amplifiers, high-speed modems, high performance on-the-move antennas and high efficiency, high power SSPAs, BUCs and Transceivers. Our comprehensive solutions support multiple applications with a full portfolio of products to address key applications including broadband internet access, cellular backhaul over satellite, enterprise, social inclusion solutions, IFC, maritime, trains, defense and public safety, all while meeting the most stringent service level requirements. We also provide connectivity services, internet access and telephony, to enterprise, government and residential customers utilizing both our own networks, and other networks that we install, mainly based on BOT and BOO contracts. We also provide managed network services over VSAT networks owned by others.
We have a large installed base and have shipped more than 1.6 million satellite terminals spanning approximately 100 countries since 1989 and currently have hundreds of active networks. We have 15 sales and support offices worldwide, three NOCs which provide Global NOC services and five R&D centers.
Our products are sold to communication service providers, satellite operators, MNOs and system integrators that use satellite communications to serve enterprise, social inclusion solutions, government and residential users, MNOs and system integrators that use our technology. Our solutions and services are also sold to defense and homeland security organizations. In addition, we provide services directly to end-users in various market segments, including in certain countries in Latin America.
Commencing in the first quarter of 2022, in order to reflect our new management’s approach to the management of our operations, organizational alignment, customer base and end markets, we operate in three operating segments:
Satellite Networks
Integrated Solutions
Network Infrastructure and Services
We concluded that the change in our reporting segments, as described above, does not require goodwill re-assignment.
Recent Events
On March 8, 2023, we signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of DataPath, Inc. a US based expert systems integrator with a strong focus on the US Department of Defense (DoD) and the US government sectors. The closing of the transaction is subject to certain regulatory approvals, including the receipt of clearance of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), and other customary closing conditions. The acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter of 2023.
During the years 2020 and 2021 the COVID-19 pandemic had an adverse effect on our industry and the markets in which we operate. During that time, the COVID-19 outbreak had significantly impacted the travel and aviation markets in which our significant Inflight Connectivity, or IFC, customers operate and had resulted in a significant reduction of our business with some of these customers. We had also experienced postponed and delayed orders in certain other areas of our businesses. Further, the guidance of social distancing, lockdowns, quarantines and the requirements to work from home in various key territories such as Israel, Peru, California, Australia, Bulgaria, China and other countries, in addition to greatly reduced travel globally, had resulted in a substantial curtailment of business activities, which had affected our ability to conduct fieldwork as well as deliver products and services in the areas where restrictions are implemented by the local government. In addition, certain of our sales and support teams were unable to travel or meet with customers and the pandemic threat has caused operating, manufacturing, supply chain and project development delays and disruptions, labor shortages, travel and shipping disruptions and shutdowns (including as a result of government regulation and prevention measures). As a result, we experienced a significant reduction in business in 2020. The regression of the pandemic during 2022, followed by lifting of travel restrictions and social distancing regulations, led to a recovery in our business in 2021and 2022. In the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, our revenues were $240 million, compared to $215 million in the comparable period of 2021, and $166 million in the comparable period of 2020. We expect that the adverse effect of this public health threat will continue to ease as a result of global vaccinations and testing and reduced restrictions on travelling.
Against the backdrop of the military conflict of Russia and Ukraine and the rising tensions between the U.S. and other countries, on the one hand, and Russia, on the other hand, major economic sanctions and export controls restrictions on Russia and various Russian entities were imposed by the U.S., European Union and the United Kingdom commencing February 2022, and additional sanctions and restrictions may be imposed in the future. Theses sanctions and restrictions restrict our business in Russia which mainly includes exports to Russia and may delay or prevent us from collecting funds and perform money transfers from Russia. While our business in Russia is of limited in scope, these restrictions may cause a reduction of our sales and financial results.
We receive manufacturing services from a global manufacturer’s facility in Ukraine. While the manufacturer assured us that the operations of the plant have not been interrupted by the military situation in Ukraine and has a recovery plan in place, there is no assurance that negative developments in the area in the future will not disrupt our business and materially adversely affect our business.
On January 29, 2020, we entered into a merger agreement with Comtech. Following a dispute between the parties, including litigation in the Chancery Court of Delaware, the parties agreed to terminate the merger agreement in October 2020 and Comtech paid us $70 million in settlement of the dispute. In 2020, we recorded net income of $53.6 million, net of litigation and merger related expenses.
Financial Statements in U.S. Dollars
The currency of the primary economic environment in which most of our operations are conducted is the U.S. dollar and therefore, we use the U.S. dollar as our functional and reporting currency. Transactions and balances originally denominated in U.S. dollars are presented at their original amounts. Gains and losses arising from non-U.S. dollar transactions and balances are included in the consolidated statements of income (loss). The financial statements of one of our foreign subsidiaries, whose functional currency has been determined to be its local currency, have been translated into U.S. dollars. The assets and liabilities of this subsidiary have been translated using the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Statements of income amounts have been translated using specific rates. The resulting translation adjustments are reported as a component of shareholders’ equity in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Explanation of Key Income Statement Items
Revenues
We generate revenues mainly from the sale of products (including construction of networks), satellite-based communications networks services and from providing connectivity, internet access and telephony services. We sell our products and services to enterprise, government and residential customers under large-scale contracts that utilize both our own networks and also other networks that we install, mainly based on BOT and BOO contracts. These large‑scale contracts sometimes involve the installation of thousands of VSATs or construction of massive fiber-optic and wireless networks. Sale of products includes mainly the sale of VSATs, hubs, SSPAs, low-profile antennas and on-the-move / on-the-pause terminals, and construction and installation of large-scale networks based on BOT and BOO contracts. Sale of services includes access to and communication via satellites (“space segment”), installation of equipment, telephone services, internet services, consulting, online network monitoring, network maintenance and repair services. We sell our products primarily through our direct sales force and indirectly through resellers or system integrators.
In 2022, 2021 and 2020, PRONATEL, a customer of our Network Infrastructure and Services operating segment, accounted for 21%, 19%, and 20% of our revenues, respectively. In 2022 and 2021, a major U.S. satellite telecommunication company, a customer of our Integrated Solutions operating segment, accounted for 13% and 12% (in 2020 it accounted for less than 10% of our revenues). In 2020, a U.S. based system integrator customer of our Integrated Solutions operating segment accounted for 11% of our revenues, (in 2022 and 2021 it accounted for less than 10% of our revenues).
Costs and Operating Expenses
Cost of revenues, for both products and services, includes the cost of system design, equipment, including inventory write-off costs, satellite capacity, salaries, and related costs, allocated overhead costs, depreciation and amortization, customer service, interconnection charges and third-party maintenance and installation.
Our research and development expenses, net of grants received, consist of salaries and related costs, raw materials, subcontractor expenses, related depreciation costs and overhead allocated to research and development activities.
Our selling and marketing expenses consist primarily of salaries and related costs, commissions earned by sales and marketing personnel, commissions to agents, trade show expenses, promotional expenses and overhead costs allocated to selling and marketing activities, as well as depreciation expenses and travel costs.
Our general and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and related costs, allocated overhead costs, office supplies and administrative costs, bad debts, fees and expenses of our directors, depreciation, and professional service fees, including legal, insurance and audit fees, net of rental income.
Our operating results are significantly affected by, among other things, the timing of contract awards and the performance of agreements. As a result, our revenues and income (loss) may fluctuate substantially from quarter to quarter, and we believe that comparisons over longer periods of time may be more meaningful. The nature of certain of our expenses is mainly fixed or partially fixed, and any fluctuation in revenues will generate a significant variation in gross profit and net income (loss).
Year Ended December 31, 2022 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2021
Revenues. Revenues for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 for our three operating segments were as follows:
| | | Year Ended | | | | | | Year Ended | |
| | | December 31, | | | | | | December 31, | |
| | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | U.S. dollars in thousands | | | Percentage change | | | Percentage of revenues | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Satellite Networks | | | 120,381 | | | | 115,408 | | | | 4 | % | | | 50 | % | | | 54 | % |
| Integrated Solutions | | | 61,376 | | | | 50,054 | | | | 23 | % | | | 26 | % | | | 23 | % |
| Network Infrastructure & Services | | | 58,083 | | | | 49,508 | | | | 17 | % | | | 24 | % | | | 23 | % |
| Total | | | 239,840 | | | | 214,970 | | | | 12 | % | | | 100 | % | | | 100 | % |
Our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 were $240 million and $215 million, respectively. The increase is attributable to increases in all of our operating segments. $5 million in Satellite Networks revenues, $11.3 million in Integrated Solutions revenues and $8.6 million in Network Infrastructure and Services revenues.
The increase in Satellite Networks revenues in 2022 is primarily attributable to the continued recovery in IFC market which was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in prior years.
The increase in Integrated Solutions revenues in 2022 is primarily attributable to the continued recovery in the IFC market which was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020 and 2021 and increased revenues from NGSO solutions.
The increase in Network Infrastructure and Services revenues in 2022 is primarily attributable to higher volume of operations revenues, partially offset by lower construction revenues.
Gross profit. The gross profits and the gross margins of our three operating segments for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:
| | | Year Ended | | | Year Ended | |
| | | December 31, | | | December 31, | |
| | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | U.S. dollars in thousands | | | Percentage of revenues | |
| Satellite Networks | | | 56,918 | | | | 50,800 | | | | 47 | % | | | 44 | % |
| Integrated Solutions | | | 17,634 | | | | 16,625 | | | | 29 | % | | | 33 | % |
| Network Infrastructure & Services | | | 12,356 | | | | 3,842 | | | | 21 | % | | | 8 | % |
| Total | | | 86,908 | | | | 71,267 | | | | 36 | % | | | 33 | % |
Our gross profit and gross margin are affected year-to-year by the mix of our products sold, the mix of revenues between products and services, the regions in which we operate, the size of our transactions and the timing of when such transactions are consummated. Moreover, from time to time we may have large-scale projects which can cause material fluctuations in our gross profit. We recognize revenue from the construction performance obligations related to the PRONATEL Regional Projects and other projects using the percentage-of-completion method, and as such any changes to our estimated profits in these projects may cause material fluctuations in our gross profit and gross margin. As such, we are subject to significant year-to-year fluctuations in our gross profit.
Our gross margin increased from 33% in 2021 to 36% in 2022. The increase in our gross margin in the year ended December 31, 2022 is mainly as a result of the following:
| • | The increase in the Satellite Network operating segment is attributable to a favorable deal mix as well as increase in revenue volume especially from IFC market customers. |
| • | The decrease in the Integrated Solutions operating segment is attributable to a less favorable deal mix and the non-recurrence of Covid-19 grants received in 2021, partially offset by higher revenue volume. |
| • | The increase in the Network Infrastructure and Services operating segment is primarily attributable to higher portion of operation revenues. |
Operating expenses:
| | | Year Ended | | | | |
| | | December 31, | | | | |
| | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | | |
| | | U.S. dollars in thousands | | | Percentage change | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Research and development, net | | | 35,640 | | | | 31,336 | | | | 14 | % |
| Selling and marketing | | | 21,694 | | | | 21,512 | | | | 1 | % |
| General and administrative | | | 18,850 | | | | 15,587 | | | | 21 | % |
| Impairment of held for sale asset | | | 771 | | | | 651 | | | | 18 | % |
| Total operating expenses | | | 76,955 | | | | 69,086 | | | | 11 | % |
Research and development expenses, net were incurred by our Satellite Networks and Integrated Solutions operating segments. Research and development expenses, net increased by approximately $4.3 million in 2022 compared to 2021. The increase in 2022 is mainly related to higher investments in R&D to support our current and future development roadmap and growth, mostly in the Satellite Networks operating segment.
Selling and marketing expenses increased by approximately $200 thousands in the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021.
General and administrative expenses increased by approximately $3.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase in 2022 is mainly related to employee benefits related expenses and is aligned with the growth in our business.
Financial expenses, net. In the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, we had financial expenses, net of $2.8 million and $1.7 million, respectively. The increase in 2022 is mainly related to exchange rate differences, partially offset by an increase of interest income.
Taxes on income. Taxes on income are dependent upon where our profits are generated, such as the location and taxation of our subsidiaries as well as changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities and changes in valuation allowance attributable to changes in our profit estimates in different regions. In the year ended December 31, 2022, we had taxes expenses of approximately $13.1 million compared to approximately $3.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase in 2022 is mainly due to a one-time tax expense of $12.9 million that was recorded with respect to historical trapped earnings, after we elected to take advantage of the temporary Israeli tax relief in 2022 and paid a reduced tax rate to allow distribution of dividends or acquisitions without additional corporate tax liability in the future (see also note 12 to the consolidated financial statements).
Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2020
Revenues. Revenues for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 for our three operating segments were as follows:
| | | Year Ended | | | | | | Year Ended | |
| | | December 31, | | | | | | December 31, | |
| | | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
| | | U.S. dollars in thousands | | | Percentage change | | | Percentage of revenues | |
| Satellite Networks | | | 115,408 | | | | 82,050 | | | | 41 | % | | | 54 | % | | | 49 | % |
| Integrated Solutions | | | 50,054 | | | | 39,120 | | | | 28 | % | | | 23 | % | | | 24 | % |
| Network Infrastructure & Services | | | 49,508 | | | | 44,965 | | | | 10 | % | | | 23 | % | | | 27 | % |
| Total | | | 214,970 | | | | 166,135 | | | | 29 | % | | | 100.0 | % | | | 100.0 | % |
Our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were $215 million and $166.1 million, respectively. The increase in 2021 is attributable to an increase in all of our operating segments: $33.4 million in Satellite Networks revenues, $11 million in Integrated Solutions revenues and $4.5 million in Network Infrastructure and Services revenues.
The increase in Satellite Networks revenues is attributable mainly to the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, including high volume sales in cellular backhaul, as well as to completion of a network expansion into a large customer in APAC region.
The increase in Integrated Solutions revenues is primarily attributable to the continuing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, which contributed to a significant increase in our revenues from the IFC market, and due to our major achievements in the NGSO market.
The increase in Network Infrastructure and Services revenues is primarily attributable to higher volume of operations revenues and improved progress in the PRONATEL Regional Projects, which were disrupted in 2020 due to quarantines in Peru during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gross profit. The gross profits and the gross margins of our three operating segments for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:
| | | Year Ended | | | Year Ended | |
| | | December 31, | | | December 31, | |
| | | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
| | | U.S. dollars in thousands | | | Percentage of revenues | |
| Satellite Networks | | | 50,800 | | | | 32,281 | | | | 44 | % | | | 39 | % |
| Integrated Solutions | | | 16,625 | | | | 8,861 | | | | 33 | % | | | 23 | % |
| Network Infrastructure & Services | | | 3,842 | | | | 238 | | | | 8 | % | | | 1 | % |
| Total | | | 71,267 | | | | 41,380 | | | | 33 | % | | | 25 | % |
Our gross profit and gross margin are affected year-to-year by the mix of our products sold, the mix of revenues between products and services, the regions in which we operate, the size of our transactions and the timing of when such transactions are consummated. Moreover, from time to time we may have large-scale projects which can cause material fluctuations in our gross profit. We recognize revenue from the construction performance obligations related to the PRONATEL Regional Projects and other projects using the percentage-of-completion method, and as such any changes to our estimated profits in these projects may cause material fluctuations in our gross profit and gross margin. As such, we are subject to significant year-to-year fluctuations in our gross profit.
Our gross margin increased from 25% in 2020 to 33% in 2021. The increase in our gross margin in the year ended December 31, 2021 was mainly as a result of the following:
| • | The increase in the Satellite Networks operating segment was mainly attributable to a higher revenue and a favorable deal mix. |
| • | The increase in the Integrated Solutions operating segment is mainly due to a higher revenue and a favorable deal mix. |
| • | The increase in the Network Infrastructure and Services operating segment was mainly attributable to a favorable deal mix. |
Operating expenses:
| | | Year Ended | | | | |
| | | December 31, | | | | |
| | | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | | |
| | | U.S. dollars in thousands | | | Percentage change | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Research and development, net | | | 31,336 | | | | 26,303 | | | | 19.1 | % |
| Selling and marketing | | | 21,512 | | | | 16,871 | | | | 27.5 | % |
| General and administrative | | | 15,587 | | | | 14,063 | | | | 10.8 | % |
| Merger, acquisition and related litigation expenses (income), net | | | - | | | | (53,633 | ) | | | | |
Impairment of held for sale asset | | | 651 | | | | - | | | | | |
| Total operating expenses | | | 69,086 | | | | 3,604 | | | | | |
Research and development expenses, net were incurred by our Satellite Networks and Integrated Solutions operating segments. Research and development expenses, net increased by approximately $5 million in 2021 compared to 2020. The increase in expenses in 2021 is mainly related to the resumption of our employees' scope of work following the reduction in activity for most of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Selling and marketing expenses increased by approximately $4.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in expenses in 2021 is mainly related to the reduction in our work force and employees' scope of work for most of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as an increase in agent commission in 2021.
General and administrative expenses increased by approximately $1.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in expenses in 2021 is mainly related to the reduction in work force and employees' scope of work for most of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as increase in insurance expenses in 2021.
Merger, acquisition and related litigation expenses (income), net. In the year ended December 31, 2020 we recorded $53.6 million net income, from the settlement with Comtech in the amount of $70 million, net of litigation and merger related expenses.
Financial expenses, net. In the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, we recorded financial expenses of $1.7 million and $1.9 million, respectively.
Taxes on income. Taxes on income are dependent upon where our profits are generated, such as the location and taxation of our subsidiaries as well as changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities and changes in valuation allowance attributable to changes in our profit estimates in different regions. In the year ended December 31, 2021 we had taxes on income of approximately $3.5 million compared to approximately $800,000 in the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase is mainly due to an income tax assessment settlement for the years 2016 through 2019 with the Israeli tax authorities and an increase in valuation allowance related to a held for sale asset during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Variability of Quarterly Operating Results
Our revenues and profitability may vary from quarter to quarter and in any given year, depending primarily on the sales mix of our family of products and the mix of the various components of the products, sale prices, and production costs, as well as on entering into new service contracts, the termination of existing service contracts, or different profitability levels between different service contracts. Sales of our products to a customer typically consist of numerous VSATs and related hub equipment, SSPAs, BUCs, and low-profile antennas, which carry varying sales prices and margins.
Annual and quarterly fluctuations in our results of operations may be caused by the timing and composition of orders by our customers and the timing of our ability to recognize revenues. Our future results may also be affected by a number of factors, including our ability to continue to develop, introduce and deliver new and enhanced products on a timely basis and expand into new product offerings at competitive prices, to integrate our recent acquisitions, to anticipate effectively customer demands and to manage future inventory levels in line with anticipated demand. Our results may also be affected by currency exchange rate fluctuations and economic conditions in the geographical areas in which we operate. In addition, our revenues may vary significantly from quarter to quarter as a result of, among other factors, the timing of new product announcements and releases by our competitors and us. We cannot be certain that revenues, gross profit and net income (or loss) in any particular quarter will not vary from the preceding or comparable quarters. Our expense levels are based, in part, on expectations as to future revenues. If revenues are below expectations, operating results are likely to be adversely affected. In addition, a substantial portion of our expenses are fixed (e.g. lease payments) and adjusting expenses in the event revenues drop unexpectedly often takes considerable time. As a result, we believe that period-to-period comparisons of our results of operations are not necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon as indications of future performance. Due to all of the foregoing factors, it is possible that in some future quarters our revenues or operating results will be below the expectations of public market analysts or investors. In such event, the market price of our shares would likely be materially adversely affected.
Conditions in Israel
We are organized under the laws of the State of Israel, where we also maintain our headquarters and a material portion of our laboratory capacity and principal research and development facilities. See Item 3.D. “Key Information – Risk Factors – Risks Relating to Our Location in Israel” for a description of governmental, economic, fiscal, monetary or political factors that have materially affected or could materially affect our operations.
Impact of Inflation and Currency Fluctuations
While most of our sales and service contracts are in U.S. dollars or are linked to the U.S. dollar and most of our expenses are in U.S. dollars and NIS, portions of our projects in Latin America as well as our operations in Australia, Asia and Europe are linked to their respective local currencies. The foreign exchange risks are often significant due to fluctuations in local currencies relative to the U.S. dollar.
The influence on the U.S. dollar cost of our operations in Israel relates primarily to the cost of salaries in Israel, which are paid in NIS and constitute a substantial portion of our expenses in NIS. In 2022, the U.S. dollar appreciated in relation to the NIS at a rate of 13%, from NIS 3.11 per $1 on December 31, 2021 to NIS 3.519 per $1 on December 31, 2022. In 2022 and 2021, we entered into hedging agreements, to cover certain of our NIS to U.S. dollar exchange rate exposures.
The annual rate of inflation in Israel was 5.3% in 2022 and 2.8% in 2021. The NIS revaluated against the U.S. dollar by approximately 13.2% in 2022 and (3.3)% in 2021. To reduce the impact of the USD NIS fluctuations we entered certain hedging instruments (see ITEM 11 to this report).
Our monetary balances that are not linked to the U.S. dollar impacted our financial expenses during the 2022 and 2021 periods, resulting in an approximately $2 million and $0.5 million loss respectively. This is due to fluctuations in currency rates in certain regions in which we do business, mainly in Latin America, Australia, Asia and Europe. There can be no assurance that our results of operations will not be materially adversely affected by other currency fluctuations in the future.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2020, the FASB issued Update ASU 2020-04 'Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) - Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting' which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by the reference rate reform. The amendments apply only to contracts and transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued as part of the reform. This ASU applies only to contracts or transactions entered into or evaluated before December 31, 2022. we adopted this standard, and it did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or results.
In November 2021, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2021-10, Government Assistance (Topic 832): Disclosures by Business Entities about Government Assistance. Under ASU 2021-10, the accounting entities with transactions with a government that are accounted for by analogy to a grant or contribution accounting model are required to annually disclose certain information regarding the transaction including: (i) nature and related accounting policy used; (ii) line items on the balance sheet and income statement affected by the transactions; (iii) amounts applicable to each line item; and (iv) significant terms and conditions. This guidance is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2021. The adoption of this ASU had an immaterial impact on our consolidated financial statements.
| B. | Liquidity and Capital Resources |
Since our inception, our financing requirements have been met through cash from funds generated by private equity investments, public offerings, issuances of convertible subordinate notes, bank loans and credit facilities, operations, as well as funding from research and development grants. We have used available funds primarily for working capital, capital expenditures and strategic investments.
As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, we had cash and cash equivalents, short-term deposit and restricted cash of $87.1 million and $86.6 million, respectively. We believe that our working capital is sufficient for our present requirements.
In April 2019, we distributed for the first time, a cash dividend of $0.45 per share (approximately $24.9 million in the aggregate). Following receipt of the settlement amount from Comtech, in December 2020, we distributed a cash dividend of $0.36 per share, and in January 2021 (following the receipt of court approval) we distributed an additional cash dividend of $0.63 per share (approximately $20 million and $35 million, respectively). We have not adopted a general policy regarding the distribution of dividends and make no statements as to the distribution of dividends in the foreseeable future.
As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, we had no bank loans.
At times, we guarantee the performance of our work for some of our customers, primarily government entities. Guarantees are often required for our performance during the installation and operational periods of long-term rural telephony projects such as in Latin America, and for the performance of other projects (government and corporate) throughout the rest of the world. The guarantees typically expire when certain operational milestones are met. In addition, from time to time, we provide corporate guarantees to guarantee the performance of our subsidiaries.
In connection with the PRONATEL Regional Projects, we were required to post certain advance payment guarantees and performance guarantees with PRONATEL. These requirements were principally satisfied through surety bonds issued by Amtrust Europe Limited, or Amtrust, for the benefit of PRONATEL, through a Peruvian bank as well as through the issuance of bank guarantees by FIBI and by The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, or HSBC (also through a Peruvian bank). The surety bonds issued by Amtrust expired in December 2019 after completion of the relevant milestone in the PRONATEL Regional Projects.
Under the arrangements with FIBI, we are required to observe certain conditions, and under the arrangements with HSBC we are required to satisfy certain conditions and financial covenants. As of December 31, 2022, we are in compliance with these conditions and covenants. The aggregate amount of the bank guarantees outstanding to secure our various performance obligations, issued on our behalf by HSBC, FIBI and Scotia Bank del Peru as of December 31, 2022, was approximately $82.7 million, including an aggregate of approximately $80 million on behalf of our subsidiaries in Peru. We have provided HSBC and FIBI with various pledges as collateral for HSBC and FIBI guarantees. Our credit and guarantee agreements also contain various restrictions and limitations that may impact us. These restrictions and limitations relate to incurrence of indebtedness, contingent obligations, negative pledges, liens, mergers and acquisitions, change of control, asset sales, dividends and distributions, redemption or repurchase of equity interests and certain debt payments. The agreements also stipulate a floating charge on our assets to secure fulfillment of our obligations to FIBI and HSBC as well as other pledges, including a fixed pledge, on certain assets and property.
The following table summarizes our cash flows for the periods presented:
| | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | U.S. dollars in thousands | |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | | | 10,814 | | | | 18,903 | | | | 43,160 | |
| Net cash used in investing activities | | | (8,164 | ) | | | (11,092 | ) | | | (4,716 | ) |
| Net cash used in financing activities | | | - | | | | (39,003 | ) | | | (24,095 | ) |
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | | | 2,682 | | | | (31,495 | ) | | | 13,989 | |
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of the period | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of the period… | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash increased by approximately $2.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 as a result of the following:
Operating activities. Cash provided by our operating activities was approximately $10.8 million in 2022 compared to approximately $18.9 million in 2021. The difference is mainly due to the change in working capital in the Network Infrastructure and Services operating segment.
Investing activities. Cash used in investing activities was approximately $8.2 million in 2022 compared to approximately $11.1 million in 2021. The change is mainly attributable to receipts from sale of held for sale asset and repayment of short-term deposits, partially offset by increased purchases of property and equipment and investment in financial instrument.
Financing activities. In 2022 we did not use any cash in our financing activities. In 2021. we used approximately $39.0 million due to dividend payments of $35 million and repayment of long-term loan of $4 million.
| C. | Research and Development
|
We devote significant resources to research and development projects designed to enhance our hubs, VSATs, Satellite Communication on-the-move antennas BUCs, SSPAs and Transceivers products and to multiply the applications for which they can be used. In particular, we continue to invest into expanding our portfolio to address VHTS and NGSO satellites constellations solutions, mobility applications, both IFC and maritime as well as cellular backhaul solutions. We intend to continue to devote substantial resources to complete the development of certain features, including improving functionality, support higher throughput, improving space segment utilization and network resilience, thereby contributing to reducing the cost of proposed solutions for our customers.
We conduct our research and development activities in Israel, Bulgaria, Moldova, the United States (California) and Singapore. Our facilities in Israel and Moldova focus on research and development of VSATs, baseband equipment and network management. Our Bulgarian center focuses on developments related to our Satellite Communication on-the-move antennas, or SOTM antennas and development of VSATs and baseband equipment. Our facilities in California and Singapore focus on the design and development of BUCs, SSPAs and Transceivers.
We have devoted significant research and development resources over the last few years to the development of our SkyEdge family of products, including development of our own proprietary hardware platforms for both baseband equipment and software. In 2022, we invested heavily in improving space spectral efficiency, including release of the new VSAT platform supporting advanced coding schemas, in developing new enhanced functionality for IFC application and global bandwidth management. We continued to invest in optimizing solutions for cellular backhaul and other applications, improving throughput, supported security and resilience. We develop our own network software as well as software for our VSATs. We have made a significant investment in a new modular product architecture involving hot-swappable RF amplifier modules, power supply modules and block up conversion modules for military and commercial teleport providers. This architecture will allow us to mix and match components for faster system product development and better supply chain resilience.
In 2022, we also invested in development of our Electronically Steerable Antennas, or ESA, for IFC applications. In addition, we invested in the development of SatCom terminals for UAVs.
Our software and our internally developed hardware are proprietary and we have implemented protective measures both of a legal and practical nature. We have obtained and registered patents in the U.S. and in various other countries in which we offer our products and services. We rely upon the copyright laws to protect against unauthorized copying of the object code of our software and upon copyright and trade secret laws for the protection of the source code of our software. We derive additional protection for our software by generally licensing only the object code to customers and keeping the source code confidential. In addition, we enter into confidentiality agreements with our customers and other business partners to protect our software technology and trade secrets. We have also obtained trademark registrations in the U.S. and various other countries for additional protection of our intellectual property. Despite all of these measures, it is possible that competitors could copy certain aspects of our technology or obtain information that we regard as a trade secret in violation of our legal rights.
We participate in various programs under which we have received and are eligible to receive research and development grants for financing research and development projects in Israel, pursuant to the provisions of The Encouragement of Industrial Research and Development Law, 1984. We are also participating in grant research programs of the European Union, Horizon 2020 and from time to time we participate in programs through bilateral R&D foundations such as the BIRD foundation. With respect to some of our funding programs, we are obligated to pay royalties from the revenues derived from products developed within the framework of such programs. However, most of our programs are non-royalty bearing programs.
We also participate in joint programs with academic institutions, which are partially funded by the Israeli Innovation Authority. In the event of a commercial use of a specific academic knowledge, we are obligated to pay the academic institution royalties from the revenues derived from products developed within the framework of such programs.
The following table sets forth, for the years indicated, our gross research and development expenditures, the portion of such expenditures which was funded mainly by non-royalty bearing grants and the net cost of our research and development activities:
| | | Years Ended December 31, | |
| | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
| | | (U.S. dollars in thousands) | |
Gross research and development costs.
| | | 36,281 | | | | 33,031 | | | | 27,689 | |
| Less: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Grants | | | 641 | | | | 1,695 | | | | 1,386 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Research and development costs – net.
| | | 35,640 | | | | 31,336 | | | | 26,303 | |
The satellite communications industry is moving toward HTS, VHTS and NGSO technology that employ multi-orbit; multi-beam transmission for more efficient use of space segment and better performance. New satellite constellations of MEO and LEO (both considered NGSO) are being launched and scheduled to be launched in the coming years. With the scheduled launches of numerous HTS, VHTS and NGSO satellites, we believe that the development of products using this technology for the different satellites and constellations will be an important competitive factor in the satellite communications market. We are continuing our efforts to enhance our current products and develop new ones to support this technology's advantages.
The continued increase in HTS and VHTS GEO satellites and NGSO constellations supply is projected to reduce bandwidth price. This reduction is expected to make satellite communications economically viable for additional broadband, cellular and mobility applications. Accordingly, satellite communications are expected to economically increase cellular coverage and service in rural, metro-edge, and metro areas in developed and developing countries.
We continue to focus on the mobility trend which has been driven by the projected growth of mobility applications, especially on airplanes, trains and seagoing vessels, as well as defense-related applications. We are focused on being the partner of choice to satellite operators that will select our SkyEdge IV platform as a multi-service system. The dynamics of the market is that few suppliers will dominate the VHTS and NGSO markets and we want to be a leading supplier. Our technology is software centric and allows pay as you grow models based on software licenses. Our systems are scalable in an efficient manner and thus allowing our customers demand-based growth. As satellite operators are becoming also service providers, we see them as our partners and go to market channels. Accordingly, we offer them end to end project management; flexibility in customizing their systems and help them manage their networks.
In the past few years, the satellite communications market has experienced increasing competition both from within its sector and from competing communication technologies. From within, we see new disruptive NGSO players that aspire to take a large part of the market. From outside the expansion of cellular coverage in rural areas worldwide, increased terrestrial infrastructures as well as the advancement of wireless technologies, increases the options for our potential and existing customers. In addition, the number of satellite communications providers in the market has increased and prices of technologies continue to decline. Another development in our industry is the increasing demand for complete solutions which encompass far more than a single platform of a communications solution.
We believe that the political environment in Israel could continue to prevent certain countries from doing business with us and this, in addition to the increased competition and reduced prices in the telecommunications industry overall, may have an adverse effect on our business. Given all of the above, we cannot guarantee or predict what our sales will be, what trends will develop, and if any changes in our business and marketing strategy will be implemented.
During the years 2020 and 2021 the COVID-19 pandemic had an adverse effect on our industry and the markets in which we operate. During that time, the COVID-19 outbreak had significantly impacted the travel and aviation markets in which our significant Inflight Connectivity, or IFC, customers operate and had resulted in a significant reduction of our business with some of these customers. We had also experienced postponed and delayed orders in certain other areas of our businesses. Further, the guidance of social distancing, lockdowns, quarantines and the requirements to work from home in various key territories such as Israel, Peru, California, Australia, Bulgaria, China and other countries, in addition to greatly reduced travel globally, had resulted in a substantial curtailment of business activities, which had affected our ability to conduct fieldwork as well as deliver products and services in the areas where restrictions are implemented by the local government. In addition, certain of our sales and support teams were unable to travel or meet with customers and the pandemic threat has caused operating, manufacturing, supply chain and project development delays and disruptions, labor shortages, travel and shipping disruptions and shutdowns (including as a result of government regulation and prevention measures). As a result, we experienced a significant reduction in business in 2020. The regression of the pandemic during 2022, followed by lifting of travel restrictions and social distancing regulations, led to a recovery in our business in 2021and 2022. In the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, our revenue was $240 million, compared to $215 million in the comparable period of 2021, and $166 million in the comparable period of 2020.
Amid the military conflict of Russia and Ukraine, major economic sanctions and export controls restrictions were imposed on Russia and various Russian entities by the U.S., European Union and the United Kingdom. Theses sanctions and restrictions may materially restrict our business in Russia which mainly includes exports to Russia and may delay or prevent us from collecting funds and perform money transfers from Russia.
We receive manufacturing services from a global manufacturer’s facility in Ukraine. While the manufacturer assured us that the operations of the plant have not been interrupted by the military situation in Ukraine and has a business continuity and recovery plans in place, there is no assurance that negative developments in the area in the future will not disrupt our business and materially adversely affect our business.
E. Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP) requires us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions. We believe that the estimates, judgments and assumptions used are reasonable based upon information available at the time they are made. These estimates, judgments and assumptions can affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Main areas that require significant estimates and assumptions by us include contract costs, revenues (including variable consideration, determination of contracts duration, establishing stand-alone selling price for performance obligations) and profits or losses, application of percentage-of-completion accounting, provisions for uncollectible receivables and customer claims, impairment of inventories, impairment and useful life of long-lived assets, goodwill impairment, valuation allowance in respect of deferred tax assets, uncertain tax positions, accruals for estimated liabilities, including litigation and insurance reserves, and stock-based compensation. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the financial information included in this annual report.
Revenues. We generate revenue mainly from the sale of products (including construction of networks), satellite-based communications networks services and from providing connectivity, internet access and telephony services. We sell our products and services to enterprises, government and residential customers under large-scale contracts that utilize both our networks and other networks that we install, mainly based on BOT and BOO contracts. These large-scale contracts sometimes involve the installation of thousands of VSATs or construction of massive fiber-optic and wireless networks. Revenues from sale of products includes mainly the sale of VSATs, hubs, SSPAs, low-profile antennas, on-the-move/on-the-pause terminals, and construction and installation of large-scale networks based on BOT and BOO contracts. Sale of services includes access to and communication via satellites (“space segment”), installation of equipment, telephone services, internet services, consulting, on-line network monitoring, network maintenance and repair services. We sell our products primarily through our direct sales force and indirectly through resellers or system integrators.
We recognize revenue when (or as) we satisfy performance obligations by transferring promised products or services to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration that we expect to receive according to ASC 606.
If the contract contains a single performance obligation, the entire transaction price is allocated to the single performance obligation. Contracts that contain multiple performance obligations require an allocation of the transaction price to each performance obligation based on a relative standalone selling price (“SSP”) basis. We establish SSP based on management judgment, stand-alone renewal price, considering internal factors such as margin objectives, pricing practices and historical sales.
If the consideration in a contract includes a variable amount, we estimate the amount of consideration to which we will be entitled in exchange for transferring the goods or services to the customer. The variable consideration is estimated at contract inception and constrained until it is probable that a significant revenue reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the associated uncertainty with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved.
Revenue from the sale of equipment is recognized at a point in time, once the customer has obtained control over the items purchased. When significant acceptance provisions are included in the arrangement, we defer recognition of the revenue until the acceptance occurs. Revenue from periodic services is recognized ratably over the term the services are rendered. Revenue from other services is recognized upon their completion.
Revenues from long-term contracts under which we provide significant construction to the customer's specifications and networks operation and maintenance (mostly governmental projects) are generally recognized over time because of continuous transfer of control to the customer. Specifically, these contracts include construction performance obligations, for which this continuous transfer of control to the customer is based on the fact that our performance creates or enhances an asset that the customer controls as the asset is created or enhanced according to ASC 606. We generally use the cost-to-cost measure of progress for these construction performance obligations because it best depicts the transfer of control to the customer, which occurs as costs are incurred on the contracts. In the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, we recognized revenues from these construction performance obligations in the amount of $16.2 million, $23.0 million and $19.5 million, respectively, which are presented under Network Infrastructure and Services operating segment.
At the inception of a contract, we evaluate the products and services promised in order to determine if the contract should be separated into more than one performance obligation. The products and services provided as part of the construction are not distinct from one another due to a customer defined interrelated operational performance requirement, a highly complex interrelated and integrated output and significant contract management requirements. The promises to provide operation and maintenance services are distinct performance obligations. We allocate the transaction price for each contract to each performance obligation identified in the contract based on the relative standalone selling price (SSP). Standalone selling prices for our products and services provided as part of the long-term contracts with governments are generally not observable, and consequently we use the expected cost plus a reasonable margin approach to estimate a standalone selling price. The estimation of SSP requires the exercise of management judgement. We typically establish SSP ranges for its products and services. In some governmental contracts, we also required to supply tablets which are distinct and are accounted for as separate performance obligations. We determine SSP for tablets based on observable market data. Revenues related to tablets performance obligation are recognized at a point in time upon delivery of the tablets.
Revenues from contracts relating to the design, development or manufacture of complex equipment or technology platforms to a buyer’s specification (or to provide services related to the performance of such contracts) are generally recognized over time because of continuous transfer of control to the customer. This continuous transfer of control to the customer is usually based on the facts that we have the right to payment for performance completed to date and the underlying asset has no alternative use according to ASC 606. We generally use the cost-to-cost measure of progress for these contracts because it best depicts the transfer of control to the customer, which occurs as costs are incurred on the contracts.
Accounting for contracts under which continuous transfer of control to the customer occurs, as described above, involves the use of various techniques to estimate total contract revenue and performance costs. We estimate the profit on a contract as the difference between the total estimated transaction price and the total expected performance costs of the contract and recognize revenue and incurred costs over the life of the contract. Changes to performance cost estimates under a contract may occur in a situation where: (a) identified contract risks cannot be resolved within the cost estimates included in a contract's estimated at completion, or EAC; or (b) new or unforeseen risks or changes in the performance cost estimates must be incorporated into the contract's EAC. Changes in estimated revenues and/or estimated project costs which are related to an existing performance obligation, and that are not distinct from those goods and services already provided, and therefore form part of single performance obligation, are recorded in the period the change is reasonably determinable, with the full amount of the inception-to-date effect of such changes recorded in such period on a "cumulative catch-up" basis. For contracts that are deemed to be loss contracts, we establish forward loss reserves for total estimated costs that are in excess of total estimated consideration under a contract in the period in which they become probable. If any of the above factors were to change, or if different assumptions were used in estimating progress cost and measuring progress towards completion, it is possible that materially different amounts would be reported in our consolidated financial statements.
Under the typical payment terms of the contracts under which continuous transfer of control to the customer occurs as described above, the customer pays us milestones-based payments. This may result in revenue recognized in excess of billings and is presented as part of contract assets on the consolidated balance sheets. In addition, we typically receive interim payments as work progresses, although for some contracts, we may be entitled to receive an advance payment. We recognize a liability for these payments in excess of the revenue recognized and present it as liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. The advance payment typically is not considered a significant financing component.
Amounts recognized as revenue and which we have an unconditional right to receive are classified as trade receivables in the consolidated balance sheets.
A contract asset is recorded when revenue is recognized in advance of our right to receive consideration.
Deferred revenue and advances from customers are recorded when we receive payments from customers before performance obligations have been performed. Deferred revenue is recognized as revenue as (or when) we perform the performance obligation under the contract.
We pay sales commissions to external sales agents and to sales and marketing personnel based on their attainment of certain predetermined sales goals. Sales commissions are considered incremental and recoverable costs of obtaining a contract with a customer. Sales commissions are capitalized and amortized upon recognition of the related revenue, consistently with the transfer to the customer of the goods or services to which they relate. Expenses related to these costs are mostly included in selling and marketing expenses in the consolidated statements of income (loss).
Income Taxes. We are subject to income taxation in Israel, the United States, and numerous other jurisdictions. Determining our provision for income taxes requires significant management estimations and judgments. In addition, our provision for income taxes could be adversely affected by many factors, including, among other things, changes to our operating structure, changes in the amounts of earnings in jurisdictions with different statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities and changes in tax laws. We are subject to ongoing tax examinations in various jurisdictions. Tax authorities may disagree with our intercompany charges, cross-jurisdictional transfer pricing or other matters and assess additional taxes. While we regularly evaluate the likely outcomes of these examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes, there can be no assurance that the outcomes of such examinations will not have a material impact on our results of operations and cash flows. In addition, we may be audited in various jurisdictions, and such jurisdictions may assess additional taxes against us. Although we believe our tax estimates are reasonable, the final determination of any tax audits or litigation could be materially different from our historical tax provisions and accruals, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or cash flows in the period or periods for which a determination is made.
In accordance with ASC 740, "Income Taxes" ("ASC 740"). ASC 740 prescribes the use of the liability method whereby deferred tax assets and liability account balances are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and the tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. We provide a valuation allowance, if necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to their estimated realizable value if it is more likely than not that a portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Our judgments regarding future taxable income may change due to changes in market conditions, changes in tax laws, tax planning strategies or other factors. Moreover, given the current macro-economic environment and the uncertainties regarding the potential impact of COVID-19 on our business, there can be no assurance that our estimates and assumptions will prove to be accurate predictions of the future. If our assumptions and consequently our estimates change in the future, the valuation allowances we have established may be increased or decreased, resulting in a respective increase or decrease in income tax expense.
ASC 740 contains a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring a liability for uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that, on an evaluation of the technical merits, the tax position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement.
We classify interest and penalties on taxes on income as financial expenses and general and administrative expenses, respectively.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit losses. We are required to estimate our ability to collect our trade receivables. A considerable amount of judgment is required in assessing their ultimate realization. We estimate expected credit losses for the allowance for doubtful accounts and allowance for unbilled receivables based upon our assessment of various factors, including historical experience, the age of the accounts receivable balances, the credit quality of its customers, current economic conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions, and other factors that may affect our ability to collect from customers.
Inventory Valuation. We are required to state our inventories at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. Inventory write-offs are provided to cover risks arising from slow-moving items, excess inventories, discontinued products, new products introduction and for market prices lower than cost. Any write-off is recognized in our consolidated statements of income as cost of revenues. In addition, if required, we record a liability for firm non-cancelable and unconditional purchase commitments with contract manufacturers for quantities in excess of our future demands forecast consistent with our valuation of excess and obsolete inventory.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. Our long-lived assets that are subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment in accordance with ASC 360, "Property, Plant and Equipment" ("ASC 360"), whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.
Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the assets. Such measurement includes significant estimates. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. However, the carrying amount of a group of assets is not to be reduced below its fair value. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.
Future events could cause us to conclude that impairment indicators exist and that additional long-lived assets associated with our acquired businesses are impaired. Any resulting impairment loss could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
Goodwill. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price in a business combination over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Under ASC 350 “Intangibles - Goodwill and Others”, or ASC 350, goodwill is not amortized, but rather is subject to an annual impairment test. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying value. We perform our annual impairment analysis of goodwill in the fourth quarter of the year and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable. We first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. If the qualitative assessment does not result in a more likely than not indication of impairment, no further impairment testing is required. If we elect not to use this option, or if we determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then we prepare a quantitative analysis to determine whether the carrying value of reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, we recognize an impairment of goodwill for the amount of this excess, in accordance with the guidance in FASB Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350), Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.
In the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 we performed assessments to continue to support our conclusion that no impairment of goodwill was required for any of our reporting units.
Contingencies. We are currently involved in certain legal and other proceedings and are also aware of certain tax and other legal exposures relating to our business. We are required to assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes of these proceedings or contingencies as well as potential ranges of probable losses. A determination of the amount of accruals required, if any, for these contingencies is made after careful analysis.
Liabilities related to legal proceedings, demands and claims are recorded in accordance with ASC 450, “Contingencies”, or ASC 450, which defines a contingency as “an existing condition, situation, or set of circumstances involving uncertainty as to possible gain or loss to an enterprise that will ultimately be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur.” In accordance with ASC 450, accruals for exposures or contingencies are being provided when the expected outcome is probable and when the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. It is possible, however, that future results of operations for any particular quarter or annual period could be materially affected by changes in our assumptions, the actual outcome of such proceedings or as a result of the effectiveness of our strategies related to these proceedings.
| ITEM 6: | DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT |
| A. | Directors and Senior Management |
The following table sets forth the name, age, position(s), and a brief account of the business experience of each of the directors and executive officers as of March 8th, 2023:
| Name | Age | Position |
| Amiram Boehm | 51 | Chairman of the Board of Directors |
| Adi Sfadia | 52 | Chief Executive Officer |
| Ronit Zalman Malach (3)(4) | 56 | Director |
Aylon (Lonny) Rafaeli (1) (2)(4) | 69 | Director |
Dafna Sharir (1)(4) | 55 | Director |
| Elyezer Shkedy (1)(2)(4)(5) | 65 | Director |
| Ami Shafran (1)(2)(4)(5) | 68 | Director |
| Gil Benyamini | 49 | Chief Financial Officer |
| Michal Aharonov | 51 | Chief Commercial Officer |
| Ron Levin | 48 | Chief Operating Officer |
| Lior Moyal | 45 | Senior Vice President, Human Resources |
| Hagay Katz | 63 | Chief Product and Marketing Officer |
| Aharon Mullokandov | 39 | Senior Vice President of Research & Development |
| Doron Kerbel | 51 | General Counsel & Company Secretary |
| (1) | Member of our Audit Committee. |
| (2) | Member of our Compensation Committee. |
| (3) | “Independent Director” under the applicable NASDAQ Marketplace Rules (see explanation below) |
| (4) | “Independent Director” under the applicable NASDAQ Marketplace Rules and the applicable rules of the SEC (see explanation below) |
| (5) | “External Director” as required by Israel’s Companies Law (see explanation below) |
Amiram Boehm has served on our Board of Directors since December 2012 and on February 2023, was elected by our Board to serve as Chairman of the Board as of March 8, 2023. Since 2004 and until November 2022, Mr. Boehm had been a Partner in the FIMI Opportunity Funds, Israel’s largest group of private equity funds, since 2004. On February 2023, Mr. Boehm was appointed as Chairman of the Board of BrainsWay Ltd. (NASADQ and TASE). While he was a Partner in the FIMI Opportunity, Mr. Boehm served as the Chairman of the Board of director of DelekSon Ltd. and a director at, Hadera Paper Ltd. (TASE), Rekah Pharmaceuticals Ltd (TASE), KAMADA Ltd. (NASDAQ and TASE), TAT Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ and TASE), PCB Technologies Ltd. (TASE), and Galam Ltd. Mr. Boehm previously served as the Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer of FITE GP (2004), and as a director among others of Ormat Technologies Inc. (NYSE, TASE), Scope Metal Trading, Ltd. (TASE), Inter Industries, Ltd. (TASE), NOVOLOG (Pharm-Up 1966) Ltd. (TASE), Global Wire Ltd. (TASE), Telkoor Telecom Ltd. (TASE), Dimar Cutting Tools Ltd and Solbar Industries Ltd. (previously traded on the TASE). Prior to joining FIMI, from 1999 until 2004, Mr. Boehm served as Head of Research of Discount Capital Markets, the investment arm of Israel Discount Bank. Mr. Boehm holds a B.A. degree in Economics and a LL.B. degree from Tel Aviv University, Israel and a Joint M.B.A. degree from Northwestern University and Tel Aviv University, Israel.
Adi Sfadia has served as our Chief Executive Officer since November 2020. Prior to that, Mr. Sfadia served as Interim Chief Executive Officer from July 2020 and as our Chief Financial Officer since November 2015. Prior to joining Gilat, Mr. Sfadia served as CFO of Starhome Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fortissimo Capital, from January 2013. From 2008 to 2013, Mr. Sfadia served as CFO of Radvision Ltd. (previously traded on NASDAQ and TASE). From 2004 until 2008, Mr. Sfadia served as Radvision’s Corporate Controller and Vice President of Finance. Prior to that, Mr. Sfadia served in several senior financial positions in Israeli companies, where he gained wide financial and managerial experience. Mr. Sfadia served five years in a public accounting position with Kost Forer Gabbay & Kasierer, a member of Ernst & Young Global. Mr. Sfadia holds a B.A. degree in Business Administration and an M.B.A. degree (magna cum laude) from The College of Management in Tel Aviv and Rishon Lezion, and is a Certified Public Accountant in Israel.
Ronit Zalman Malach has served on our Board of Directors since September 2022. Ms. Malach has more than 20 years of professional experience in finance. Ms. Malach serves from August 2022 as the CFO of Isracard Ltd. (TASE), and from 2019 to 2022 served as a CFO of Mekorot National Water Company Ltd., Between 2017 and 2019, Ms. Malach served as CFO and CRO at IMI Systems Ltd. Ms. Malach served as a director of Clalit Health Care, from 2019 until August 2022. Ms. Malach served as an external director of G. Willi-Food Investments Ltd. (NASDAQ) between 2016 and 2019 and served as an external director of Meitav Dash Pension and Provident Ltd. (TASE), , between 2017 and 2019. Between 2005 and 2016, Ms. Malach served in various financial management positions in Clal Insurance Group (TASE), including acting as deputy CEO and CFO. Ms. Malach holds a B.A. degree in Economics and Accounting from Tel Aviv University, Israel and a M.B.A. degree in Finance from Bar Ilan University, Israel.
Aylon (Lonny) Rafaeli has served on our Board of Directors since May 2016. Mr. Rafaeli is a strategy and business development manager and consultant. From 2007 through 2012, Mr. Rafaeli was Director of Business Development at MST, a concentrated photo voltaic company. Prior to joining MST, Mr. Rafaeli was Managing Partner at E. Barak Associates, a strategic consulting company. Mr. Rafaeli is a member of the board of directors of the TALI Education Fund and a veteran association of an IDF elite unit. Mr. Rafaeli also served in the past as a director of Lenox Investment and Azimuth Technologies. Mr. Rafaeli holds an Executive M.B.A. degree in Strategic Management from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
Dafna Sharir has served on our Board of Directors since May 2016. Ms. Sharir is an independent consultant in the areas of mergers and acquisitions and business development. Ms. Sharir serves as a director of Ormat Technologies Inc. (NYSE, TASE) since 2018, Ms. Sharir served as Senior Vice President Investments of Ampal Corp. between 2002 and 2005. Before that she served as Director of Mergers and Acquisitions at Amdocs (until 2002). Between 1994 and 1996, Ms. Sharir worked as a tax attorney with Cravath, Swaine & Moore in New York. Ms. Sharir is a director of Ormat Technologies Inc., Minute Media Inc. and Cognyet Software Ltd. and served in the past as a director of Frutarom Industries Ltd. Ms. Sharir holds a B.A. degree in Economics and a LL.B degree, both from Tel Aviv University, Israel, LL.M. degree in Tax Law from New York University, and M.B.A. degree from INSEAD.
Major General (ret.) Elyezer Shkedy, has served on our Board of Directors since June 2017. Mr. Shkedy is a business development manager and consultant. From January 2010 to March 2014, Mr. Shkedy was the Chief Executive Officer of El-Al Israel Airlines. Prior to joining El-Al, Mr. Shkedy served as Commander of the Israeli Air Force, from April 2004 until May 2008, after a long career as a fighter pilot and moving up through several command positions in the Israeli Air Force. Mr. Shkedy serves as member of managing boards at several other non-profit companies and organizations. Previously, in 2018- 2019, Mr. Shkedy served as board member in Paz Oil Company, Ltd. (TASE), and between 2015 – 2020 served as chairman of the board (pro bono) at Osim Shinui Shamaym Vearetz Ltd., a company for a public cause. Mr. Shkedy holds an M.A. degree (with distinction) in Systems Management from NPS, the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, U.S. and a B.Sc. degree in Mathematics and Computer Science (with distinction) from Ben Gurion University in Israel.
Major General (ret.) Ami Shafran, has served on our Board of Directors since January 2021. Mr. Shafran has served since 2018 as a venture partner at Moneta Capital. Since 2020, Mr. Shafran has served as director at Gencell (TASE). Since 2013, Mr. Shafran has served as the head of the Cyber Innovation Center at Ariel University and since 2021 as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the University. Mr. Shafran served as Chairman of the Board at Native Alpha Cybertech Management Ltd. during 2021. From 2006 through 2011, Mr. Shafran served as Commander of the information, communications and cyber command (C4I of the Israel Defense Force). In 2002, Mr. Shafran served as head of the research and development unit of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, MAFAT (chief of science) and chief of staff of the Ministry of Defense and the Research and Development Attaché at the Israeli Embassy in Washington DC. Mr. Shafran had also served as director of Rafael Advance Defense Systems Ltd for three years and as a director at ISI - ImageSat International N.V. Since 2017, Mr. Shafran serves as a director of Paz Group (TASE), as a non-executive chair of Elsight (Australian Stock Exchange or ASX), and as head of the advisory board at Security Matters (ASX). Mr. Shafran has served as Chairman of the Board of Pazkar Ltd. and Paz Lub Ltd., as a member of the board of directors of Waterfall Security Solutions, and as President of Enigmatos Ltd., an automotive cyber security company and other non-public companies. Mr. Shafran holds a B.Sc. degree in Electrical Engineering from the Ben Gurion University in Israel and a M.B.A. degree from the Tel Aviv University.
Gil Benyamini has served as our Chief Financial Officer since February 2022. Previously, Mr. Benyamini served as CFO at Panaxia Pharmaceutical Industries (TASE) for four years. From 2009 to 2016, Mr. Benyamini served as CFO at Walla Communications, and from 2006 until 2009 served as CFO at Exent Technologies. Mr. Benyamini also held finance positions at Tecnomatix Technologies (previously traded on NASDAQ) and PwC. Mr. Benyamini is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a B.A. degree in economics, statistics and operations research, a B.A. degree in accounting and an MBA (major in finance) degree, all from Tel-Aviv University.
Michal Aharonov has served as our Chief Commercial Officer since August 2021. Previously, Ms. Aharonov served as Vice President, Global Accounts and Telecom Services since October 2015 and was promoted in August 2017 to Vice President, Global Broadband Networks. Prior to joining Gilat, from 2013 until 2015, Ms. Aharonov served as Vice President, Head of Sales and Services at Essence Group. Prior thereto, Ms. Aharonov served as Vice President, Global Strategic Sourcing at Amdocs, after having served since 2000 in various positions at Amdocs. Ms. Aharonov holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration focusing on financial information systems from Clark University (U.S). and a B.A. degree in Business Management and Finance from the College of Management – Academic Studies in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Ron Levin has served as our Chief Operating Officer since August 2021. Previously, Mr. Levin served as Vice President, Mobility and Global Accounts since 2016. Prior to joining Gilat, he headed Strategic Sales at ECI Telecom, a leading telecom equipment provider. Previously Mr. Levin headed Product Management at Jungo Software Technologies, a software company of home and small business gateways, which was later acquired by NDS and Cisco. Mr. Levin holds a M.Sc. degree in Management from the University of Tel Aviv and a B.Sc. degree in Computer Engineering from the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, in Israel.
Lior Moyal has served as our Senior Vice President of Human Resources since March 2021. Prior to that and since August 2020, Ms. Moyal served as our VP of Human Resources. Prior to that and since March 2017, Ms. Moyal served as Director of Human Resources of Wavestream, our US subsidiary, and before that, as our Global Organization Development Manager & HR Business Partner since January 2016. Prior to joining Gilat, Ms. Moyal was HR Business Lead at Amdocs after serving in several positions since 2002 and served as a Human Capital Captain in the IDF before that. Ms. Moyal holds a M.A. degree in Organization Development from the Polytechnic University and B.A. degree in Social Science from the Open University.
Hagay Katz has served as our Chief Product and Marketing Officer since August 2021. Prior to that and since 2017, Mr. Katz served as VP Strategic Accounts - Cyber Security at Allot Communications (NASDAQ – ALLT). Previously he served as our Head of the VSAT Line of Business. Earlier in his career, Mr. Katz held senior positions in Sales, Marketing and Product Management at Modu Mobile, PacketLight Networks, which he co-founded (acquired) and Telstra Research Laboratories. Mr. Katz started his career in an elite technology unit of the IDF and is the co-author of nine granted patents. Mr. Katz holds B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Electronic Engineering from Tel-Aviv University and an M.B.A. degree from Monash University.
Aharon Mullokandov has served as our Senior Vice President Research and Development since May, 2022. Prior to joining Gilat, Mr. Mullokandov served as Vice President Global R&D Cyber Security at Allot Communications (Nasdaq – ALLT) and previously served as Assistant Vice President, Global Program Development. Before joining Allot, Mr. Mullokandov was the Head of Global Customer Service at Here Mobility. Prior thereto, Mr. Mullokandov served as the Head of the Drive Division at Servotronix Motion Control. Mr. Mullokandov began his career at Gilat, serving in many different positions over a nine-year period including Assistant Vice President, Global Cloud Operations Services, R&D Director, Global QA and System Engineering. Mr. Mullokandov holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering from Ariel University.
Doron Kerbel has served as our General Counsel and Company Secretary since September 2022. Prior to joining Gilat, Mr. Kerbel served from 2015 to September 2022 as General Counsel and Company Secretary at Senstar Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ), previously known as Magal Security Systems Ltd. From 2007 to 2015, Mr. Kerbel served as legal counsel at Elbit Systems Ltd. (TASE and NASDAQ). From 2003 to 2005, Mr. Kerbel served as a senior legal counsel for international law at Israel's embassy to the Hague. Mr. Kerbel also served as an associate in prominent Israeli law firms. Mr. Kerbel holds a LL.B. degree from the Richman University and a LL.M degree in public international law (with distinction) from the University of Amsterdam.
Board Diversity
Nasdaq’s Board Diversity Rule, which was approved by the SEC on August 6, 2021, is a disclosure standard designed to encourage a minimum board diversity objective for companies and provide stakeholders with consistent, comparable disclosures concerning a company’s current board composition. This rule requires companies listed on the Nasdaq exchange to: (1) publicly disclose board-level diversity statistics using a standardized template; and (2) have or explain why they do not have at least two diverse directors. For companies listed on Nasdaq prior to August 6, 2021, a board must include at least one diverse director by August 7, 2023, and at least two diverse directors by either August 6, 2025 (if listed as a “Nasdaq Global Select or Global Markets” company) or August 6, 2026 (if listed as a “Nasdaq Capital Market” company). The required annual disclosure is made in the form of the “Board Diversity Matrix” established by the Rule.
Our current board composition is reflected in the following matrix:
| Board Diversity Matrix (As of March 1, 2023) |
| Country of Principal Executive Offices: | Israel |
| Foreign Private Issuer | Yes |
| Disclosure Prohibited under Home Country Law | No |
| Total Number of Directors | 6 |
| | Female | Male | Non-binary | Did Not Disclose Gender |
| Part I: Gender Identity | |
| Directors | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Part II: Demographic Background | |
| Underrepresented Individual in Home Country Jurisdiction | 0 |
| LGBTQ | 0 |
| Did Not Disclose Demographic Background | 6 |
| Directors with Disabilities | 0 |
As a foreign issuer subject to the added flexibility provided under Nasdaq’s Board Diversity Rule, we currently meet the diversity objectives promulgated under this rule by having two female directors, as reflected in the above matrix.
| B. | Compensation of Directors and Officers |
The following table sets forth the aggregate compensation paid to or accrued on behalf of all of our directors and officers as a group for the year ended December 31, 2022:
| | | Salaries, Fees, Directors’ Fees,
Commissions and Bonuses (1) | | | Amounts Set Aside for Pension, Retirement and
Similar Benefits | |
All directors and officers as a group (18 persons) (2) | | $ | 4,654,294 | | | $ | 376,297 | |
| (1) | Includes bonuses and equity-based compensation accrued in 2022, but does not include business travel, professional and business association dues and expenses reimbursed to our directors and officers, and other benefits commonly reimbursed or paid by companies in Israel. |
| (2) | Includes one director and two officers who ceased to hold office during 2022 and were replaced by newly appointed officers. |
In accordance with Israeli law requirements, the table below sets forth the compensation paid to our five most highly compensated senior office holders (as defined in the Companies Law) with respect to the year ended December 31, 2022, in accordance with the expenses recorded in our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022. We refer to the five individuals for whom disclosure is provided herein as our “Covered Executives.”
For purposes of the table and the summary below, and in accordance with the above mentioned securities regulations, “compensation” includes base salary, bonuses, equity-based compensation, retirement or termination payments, benefits and perquisites such as car, phone and social benefits and any undertaking to provide such compensation.
Summary Compensation Table
Information Regarding the Covered Executive in U.S. dollars (1) | |
| Name and Principal Position | | Base Salary | | | Benefits and
Perquisites(2) | | | Variable Compensation(3) | | | Equity-Based
Compensation(4) | | | Total | |
| Adi Sfadia, Chief Executive Officer | | | 391,378 | | | | 32,367 | | | | 323,916 | | | | 229,466 | | | | 977,127 | |
Isaac Angel, former Chairman of the Board of Directors(5) | | | 144,740 | | | | - | | | | 117,317 | | | | 512,602 | | | | 774,659 | |
| Hagay Katz, Chief Product and Marketing Officer | | | 249,059 | | | | 50,654 | | | | 104,617 | | | | 108,425 | | | | 512,756 | |
Michal Aharonov, Chief Commercial Officer | | | 256,175 | | | | 50,590 | | | | 108,177 | | | | 84,668 | | | | 499,610 | |
Ron Levin, Chief Operating Officer | | | 256,175 | | | | 51,512 | | | | 103,432 | | | | 79,661 | | | | 490,780 | |
| (1) | All amounts reported in the table are in terms of cost to our company, as recorded in our financial statements. |
| (2) | Amounts reported in this column include benefits and perquisites, including those mandated by applicable law. Such benefits and perquisites may include, to the extent applicable to each executive, payments, contributions and/or allocations for savings funds, pension, severance, vacation, car or car allowance, medical insurances and benefits, risk insurances (e.g., life, disability, accident), convalescence pay, payments for social security and other benefits and perquisites consistent with our guidelines, but do not include business travel, relocation, professional and business association dues and expenses reimbursed to our directors and officers. |
| (3) | Amounts reported in this column refer to Variable Compensation such as commissions, incentive and bonus payments payable upon conditions met in the year ended December 31, 2022 and recorded in our financial statements. |
| (4) | Amounts reported in this column represent the expense recorded in our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022, with respect to equity-based compensation granted to the Covered Executive. |
| (5) | Mr. Angel resigned effective March 8, 2023. |
In accordance with the approval of our shareholders and in accordance with Israeli corporate law regarding compensation of external directors, each of our non-employee directors and external directors (all of our current directors except for our Chairman of the Board of Directors) is entitled to receive annual compensation payable quarterly of approximately NIS 93,690 (approximately $26,600), and an additional fee of approximately NIS 1,924 (approximately $550) for each board or committee meeting attended. In addition, Board members are compensated for telephone participation in board and committee meetings in an amount of 60% of what would be received for physical attendance and for written resolutions in an amount equal to 50% of same. All the above amounts are linked to changes in the Israeli consumer price index as of September 2014 and subject to changes in the amounts payable pursuant to Israeli law from time to time.
As of December 31, 2022, our directors and executive officers as a group, consisting of 15 persons, held options to purchase an aggregate of 1,760,869 ordinary shares, having exercise prices ranging from $4.19 to $11.92 (adjusted due to distribution of dividends in April 2019, December 2020 and January 2021). Generally, the options granted to our directors, vest ratably each quarter over a three-year, except in the case of the grant to our Chairman of the Board of Directors, in which the options vest over a four-year period. The options granted to our executive officers vest over a four-year period. The options will expire between 2023 and 2028. All of such options were awarded under our stock option plans described in Item 6E - “Directors, Senior Management and Employees - Share Ownership - 2008 Share Incentive Plan”.
Chairman Services. Mr. Angel served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of our company from March 2021 until March 2023. Beginning in May 2021, Mr. Angel was entitled (directly or through his controlled company) to: (i) a monthly fee in the amount of NIS 28,000 (approximately $8,000); (ii) payment of the cash value of various fringe benefits, in an aggregate amount of up to NIS 12,000 (approximately $3,400) per month, which is equal to the employer’s cost that would have been incurred by us for such benefits if the Chairman served in an employee status; and (iii) office space and secretarial assistance and reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by him in connection with his service. Mr. Angel was also entitled to an annual cash bonus plan of six (6 monthly salaries for the years 2021 to 2023, upon achievement of a threshold of 80% of the company’s target operating profit metric. Additionally, Mr. Angel was eligible for an over- achievement bonus of up to three (3) monthly salaries. We may terminate the Chairman’s services by providing two months paid notice. Mr. Angel was granted options to purchase 500,000 of our ordinary shares, with an exercise price of $11.92 per share. The options were granted under our 2008 Option Plan and were subject to a four year vesting period. The options remain exercisable for 12 months following cessation or termination of service.
CEO. Mr. Sfadia has served as our Chief Executive Officer since November 2020. Prior to that, Mr. Sfadia served as Interim Chief Executive Officer since July 2020 and as our Chief Financial Officer since November 2015. Since January 2021, Mr. Sfadia is entitled to a monthly salary of NIS 110,000 (approximately $31,260) and fringe benefits including social benefits, annual vacation and reimbursement of expenses. Mr. Sfadia is also entitled to an annual cash bonus plan of six (6) base monthly salaries for the years 2021 to 2023, upon achievement of a threshold of 80% of the company’s target operating profit metric. Additionally, Mr. Sfadia may be eligible for an over- achievement bonus of up to three (3) base monthly salaries. In January 2021 Mr. Sfadia was granted options to purchase 400,000 ordinary shares at an exercise price of $6.22 per share (following a subsequent adjustment due to distribution of a $0.63 per share cash dividend in 2021). The options were granted under our 2008 Option Plan and will vest over a period of four years. The options will remain exercisable for 12 months following cessation or termination of service (other than for cause). All options are subject to acceleration upon a change in control event. The options will expire on the sixth anniversary of the date of the grant. In February 2023, Mr. Sfadia was granted options (subject to the shareholders’ approval) to purchase 100,000 ordinary shares at an exercise price of $5.68 per share, with similar terms as described above.
In accordance with the Israeli Companies Law, we adopted an Executive Compensation Policy for our executive officers and directors. The purpose of the policy is to describe our overall compensation strategy for our executive officers and directors and to provide guidelines for setting their compensation, as prescribed by the Israeli Companies Law. In accordance with the Israeli Companies Law, the Executive Compensation Policy must be reviewed and readopted at least once every three years. The policy was last amended in September 2022.
Approval by the Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors and our shareholders, in that order, is required for the adoption of the Executive Compensation Policy. The shareholders’ approval must include the majority of shares voted at the meeting. In addition to the majority vote, the shareholders’ approval must satisfy either of two additional tests:
| • | the majority includes at least a majority of the shares voted by shareholders other than our controlling shareholders or shareholders who have a personal interest in the adoption of the Executive Compensation Policy; or |
| • | the total number of shares held by non-controlling shareholders and disinterested shareholders that voted against the adoption of the Executive Compensation Policy does not exceed 2% of the aggregate voting rights of our company. |
In the event that the Executive Compensation Policy is not approved by our shareholders, the compensation committee and the board of directors may still approve the policy, if the compensation committee and the board of directors determine, based on specified reasons and following further discussion of the matter, that the compensation policy is in the best interests of the company.
Under the Israeli Companies Law, the compensation arrangements for “office holders” (other than the Chief Executive Officer) who are not directors require the approval of the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors; provided, however, that if the compensation arrangement is not in compliance with our Executive Compensation Policy, the arrangement may only be approved by the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors for special reasons to be noted, and the compensation arrangement shall also require a special shareholder approval. If the compensation arrangement is an immaterial amendment to an existing compensation arrangement of an “office holder” who is not a director and is in compliance with our Executive Compensation Policy, the approval of the Compensation Committee is sufficient. An “office holder” is defined under Israeli Companies Law as a general manager, chief executive officer, chief business manager, deputy general manager, vice general manager, any other person assuming the responsibilities of any of the foregoing positions without regard to such person’s title, a director and a manager directly subordinate to the chief executive officer.
Arrangements regarding the compensation of directors require the approval of the Compensation Committee, the Board, and our shareholders, in that order.
Arrangements regarding the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer require the approval of the Compensation Committee, the Board and our shareholders by special majority, in that order. In certain limited cases, the compensation of a new Chief Executive Officer who is not a director may be approved without approval of our shareholders.
Election of Directors
Our Articles of Association provide that our Board of Directors shall consist of not less than five and not more than nine directors as shall be determined from time to time by a majority vote at the general meeting of our shareholders. Our shareholders resolved to set the size of our Board of Directors at eight members, including two external directors. Our Board currently consists of seven members, including two external directors.
Pursuant to our Articles of Association, each beneficial owner of 14% or more of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares is entitled to appoint, at each annual general meeting of our shareholders, one member to our Board of Directors, provided that a total of not more than four directors are so appointed. In the event that more than four qualifying beneficial owners notify us that they desire to appoint a member to our board of directors, only the four shareholders beneficially owning the greatest number of shares shall each be entitled to appoint a member to our Board of Directors. So long as our ordinary shares are listed for trading on NASDAQ, we may require that any such appointed director qualify as an “independent director” as provided in the NASDAQ rules then in effect. Our Board of Directors has the right to remove any such appointed director when the beneficial ownership of the shareholder who appointed such director falls below 14% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares.
Our Articles of Association provide that a majority of the voting power at the annual general meeting of our shareholders will elect the remaining members of the board of directors, including external directors as required under the Companies Law. At any annual general meeting at which directors are appointed pursuant to the preceding paragraph, the calculation of the vote of any beneficial owner who appointed a director pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall not take into consideration, for the purpose of electing the remaining directors, ordinary shares constituting 14% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares held by such appointing beneficial owner.
Each of our directors (except for external directors) serve, subject to early resignation or vacation of office in certain circumstances as set forth in our Articles of Association, until the adjournment of the next annual general meeting of our shareholders following the general meeting in which such director was elected. The holders of a majority of the voting power represented at a general meeting of our shareholders in person or by proxy will be entitled to (i) remove any director(s), other than external directors and directors appointed by beneficial holders of 14% or more of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares as set forth above, (ii) elect directors instead of directors so removed, or (iii) fill any vacancy, however created, in the board of directors. Our board of directors may also appoint additional directors, whether to fill a vacancy or in order to bring the total number of serving directors to the number determined by our shareholders. Such directors will serve until the next general meeting of our shareholders following such appointment.
Currently, no shareholder beneficially holding 14% or more of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares has exercised its right to appoint a director.
External Directors and Independent Directors
External Directors. Under the Israeli Companies Law, public companies are required to elect at least two external directors who must meet specified standards of independence. External directors may not have had during the two years preceding their appointment, directly or indirectly through a relative, partner, employer or controlled entity, any affiliation with (i) the company, (ii) those of its shareholders who are controlling shareholders at the time of appointment and/or their relatives, or (iii) any entity controlled by the company or by its controlling shareholders.
The term “affiliation” includes an employment relationship, a business or professional relationship maintained on a regular basis, control and services as an office holder. The term “controlling shareholder” is defined as a shareholder who has the ability to direct the activities of a company, other than if this power derives solely from the shareholder’s position on the board of directors or any other position with the company. The definition also includes shareholders that hold 25% or more of the voting rights if no other shareholder holds more than 50% of the voting rights in the company.
In addition, an individual may not be appointed as an external director in a company that does not have a controlling shareholder, in the event that he has affiliation, at the time of his appointment, to the chairman, chief executive officer, a 5% shareholder or the chief financial officer. An individual may not be appointed as an external director if his relative, partner, employer, supervisor, or an entity he controls, has other than negligible business or professional relations with any of the persons with which the external director himself may not be affiliated.
No person can serve as an external director if the person’s other positions or business creates or may create conflicts of interest with the person’s responsibilities as an external director. Until the lapse of two years from termination of office, a company may not engage an external director as an employee or otherwise. If, at the time an external director is to be appointed, all current members of the board of directors, who are not controlling shareholders of the company or their relatives, are of the same gender, then at least one external director appointed must be of the other gender.
The Israeli Companies Law further requires that external directors have either financial and accounting expertise or professional competence, as determined by the company’s board of directors. Under relevant regulations, a director having financial and accounting expertise is a person who, due to his or her education, experience and talents, is highly skilled in respect of, and understands, business and accounting matters and financial reports, in a manner that enables him or her to have an in-depth understanding of the company’s financial information and to stimulate discussion in respect of the manner in which the financial data is presented. Under the regulations, a director having professional competence is a person who meets any of the following criteria: (i) has an academic degree in either economics, business administration, accounting, law or public administration; (ii) has a different academic degree or has completed higher education in an area relevant to the company’s business or in an area relevant to his or her position; or (iii) has at least five years’ experience in any of the following, or has a total of five years’ experience in at least two of the following: (a) a senior position in the business management of a corporation with a substantial scope of business, (b) a senior public position or a senior position in public service, or (c) a senior position in the main field of the company’s business.
At least one of the external directors is required to qualify as a financial and accounting expert, as determined by the board of directors. Our Board of Directors has determined that both Mr. Ami Shafran and Mr. Elyezer Shkedy have “accounting and financial expertise” as defined by the Israeli Companies Law.
External directors serve for an initial three-year term. The initial three-year term of service can be extended, at the election of a company subject to certain conditions, by two additional three-year terms. External directors will be elected by a majority vote at a shareholders’ meeting, provided that either the majority of shares voted at the meeting, including at least half of the shares held by non-controlling shareholders voted at the meeting, vote in favor; or the total number of shares held by non-controlling shareholders voted against does not exceed two percent of the aggregate voting rights in the company.
The term of office of external directors of Israeli companies traded on certain foreign stock exchanges, including the NASDAQ Global Select Market, may be further extended, indefinitely, in increments of additional three-year terms, in each case provided that, in addition to reelection in such manner described above, (i) the audit committee and subsequently the board of directors of the Company confirm that, in light of the external director’s expertise and special contribution to the work of the board of directors and its committees, the reelection for such additional period is beneficial to the Company, and (ii) prior to the approval of the reelection of the external director, the Company’s shareholders have been informed of the term previously served by such nominee and of the reasons why the board of directors and audit committee recommended the extension of such nominee’s term.
External directors can be removed from office only by the court or by the same special majority of shareholders that can elect them, and then only if the external directors cease to meet the statutory qualifications with respect to their appointment or if they violate their fiduciary duty to the company. The court may additionally remove external directors from office if they were convicted of certain offenses by a non-Israeli court or are permanently unable to fulfill their position.
An external director is entitled to compensation as provided in regulations adopted under the Companies Law and is otherwise prohibited from receiving any other compensation, directly or indirectly, in connection with such service.
The Companies Law requires external directors to submit to the company, prior to the date of the notice of the general meeting convened to elect the external directors, a declaration stating their compliance with the requirements imposed by Companies Law for the office of external director.
Our Board of Directors currently has two external directors under Israeli law: (i) Mr. Ami Shafran, whose term expires in January 2024; and (ii) Mr. Elyezer Shkedy whose term expires in June 2023.
Independent Directors. In general, NASDAQ Marketplace Rules require that the board of directors of a NASDAQ-listed company have a majority of independent directors within the meaning of the NASDAQ rules. Our Board of Directors has determined that six out of the seven members of our Board of Directors are independent directors under NASDAQ requirements.
Pursuant to the Israeli Companies Law, a director may be qualified as an independent director if such director is either (i) an external director; or (ii) a director that served as a board member less than nine years and the audit committee has approved that he or she meets the independence requirements of an external director. A majority of the members serving on the audit committee and the compensation committee must be independent under the Israeli Companies Law.
Chairman of the Board
Under the Companies Law, the Chief Executive Officer (referred to as a “general manager” under the Companies Law) or a relative of the Chief Executive may not serve as the chairman of the board of directors, and the chairman or a relative of the chairman may not be vested with authorities of the Chief Executive Officer without shareholder approval consisting of a majority vote of the shares present and voting at a shareholders meeting, provided that either:
| • | such majority includes at least a majority of the shares held by all shareholders who are not controlling shareholders and do not have a personal interest in such appointment, present and voting at such meeting; or |
| • | the total number of shares of non-controlling shareholders and shareholders who do not have a personal interest in such appointment voting against such appointment does not exceed two percent of the aggregate voting rights in the company. |
In addition, a person subordinated, directly or indirectly, to the Chief Executive Officer may not serve as the chairman of the board of directors; the chairman of the board may not be vested with authorities that are granted to those subordinated to the Chief Executive Officer; and the chairman of the board may not serve in any other position in the company or a controlled company, but he may serve as a director or chairman of a subsidiary.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Our Articles of Association provide that the Board of Directors may delegate its powers to committees of the Board of Directors as it deems appropriate, to the extent permitted by Israeli Companies Law. All of the external directors must serve on our audit committee and compensation committee (including one external director serving as the chair of the audit committee and compensation committee), and at least one external director must serve on each other committee that may be established by our Board of Directors.
Audit Committee. Under the Israeli Companies Law, publicly traded companies must establish an audit committee. The audit committee must consist of at least three members, and must include all of the company’s external directors, including one external director serving as chair of the audit committee. A majority of an audit committee must be comprised of “independent directors” (as such term is defined in the Companies Law). The chairman of the board of directors, directors employed by, or that provide services on a regular basis to, the company or to a controlling shareholder or a company controlled by a controlling shareholder (or whose main livelihood depends on a controlling shareholder), any controlling shareholder and any relative of a controlling shareholder may not be a member of the audit committee. An audit committee may not approve an action or a transaction with an officer or director, a transaction in which an officer or director has a personal interest, a transaction with a controlling shareholder and certain other transactions specified in the Companies Law, unless at the time of approval two external directors are serving as members of the audit committee and at least one of the external directors was present at the meeting in which approval was granted.
In addition, the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules require us to establish an audit committee comprised of at least three members, all of whom must be independent directors, each of whom is financially literate and satisfies the respective “independence” requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission and NASDAQ and one of whom has accounting or related financial management expertise at senior levels within a company.
Our Audit Committee oversees (in addition to the Board) the accounting and financial reporting processes of our company and audits of our financial statements, including the integrity of our financial statements, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, our independent auditors’ qualifications, independence, compensation, and performance, and the performance of our internal audit function. Our Audit Committee is also required to determine whether there are deficiencies in the business management of our company and, in such event, propose to our Board of Directors the means of correcting such deficiencies, determine whether certain related party actions and transactions are “material” or “extraordinary” in connection with their approval procedures, approve related-party transactions as required by Israeli law and establish whistleblower procedures (including in respect of the protections afforded to whistleblowers). The Audit Committee may consult from time to time with our independent auditors and internal auditor with respect to matters involving financial reporting and internal accounting controls.
Our Audit Committee consists of Mr. Shafran, Ms. Sharir, Mr. Shkedy and Mr. Rafaeli. All of the members of our Audit Committee satisfy the respective “independence” requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission and NASDAQ, and the composition of our Audit Committee satisfies the audit committee composition requirements of the Israeli Companies Law. Our Board of Directors has determined that both Mr. Shafran and Mr. Shkedy qualify as Audit Committee financial experts, as required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and NASDAQ.
Compensation Committee. Under the Israeli Companies Law, publicly traded companies must establish a compensation committee, including an external director serving as chair of the compensation committee. The compensation committee must consist of at least three members and must include all of the company’s external directors. The additional members of the compensation committee must satisfy the criteria for remuneration applicable to the external directors.
Our Compensation Committee consists of Mr. Shafran, Mr. Shkedy and Mr. Rafaeli. All of the members of our Compensation Committee are independent directors, within the meaning of NASDAQ rules, and the composition of our Compensation Committee complies with the compensation committee composition requirements of the Israeli Companies Law.
Under Israeli Companies Law, the compensation committee is responsible for: (i) making recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to the approval of the Executive Compensation Policy; (ii) providing the Board of Directors with recommendations with respect to any amendments or updates to the Executive Compensation Policy and periodically reviewing the implementation thereof; (iii) reviewing and approving arrangements with respect to the terms of office and employment of office holders; and (iv) determining whether or not to exempt a transaction with a candidate for Chief Executive Officer from shareholder approval.
In addition, our Compensation Committee offers recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding equity compensation issues (with the Board also approving the compensation of our executive officers), and administers our option plans, subject to general guidelines determined by our Board of Directors from time to time. The Compensation Committee also makes recommendations to our Board of Directors in connection with the terms of employment of our Chief Executive Officer and all other executive officers.
Israeli Regulations
In March 2016, the Israeli Companies Law Regulations were amended to reduce certain duplicative regulatory burdens to which Israeli companies publicly-traded on NASDAQ are subject. Generally, pursuant to the new regulations, an Israeli company traded on NASDAQ that does not have a “controlling shareholder” (as defined in the Israeli Companies Law) is able to elect not to appoint External Directors to its Board of Directors and not to comply with the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee composition and chairman requirements of the Israeli Companies Law (as described above); provided, the company complies with the applicable NASDAQ independent director requirements and the NASDAQ Audit Committee and Compensation Committee composition requirements.
To date, we have not elected to benefit from the relief provided by these new amended Israeli regulations.
Internal Audit
The Israeli Companies Law requires the board of directors of a public company to appoint an internal auditor nominated by the audit committee. The internal auditor must meet certain statutory requirements of independence. The role of the internal auditor is to examine, among other things, the compliance of the company’s conduct with applicable law and orderly business practice. Our internal auditor is Mr. Doron Cohen, CPA of Fahn Kanne, Grant Thornton.
Directors’ Service Contracts
There are no arrangements or understandings with any of our directors providing for benefits upon termination of their employment or service as directors of our company or any of our subsidiaries, other than with our Chairman of the Board, Mr. Isaac Angel. We may terminate the Chairman’s services by providing two months’ paid notice.
Approval of Related Party Transactions under Israeli Law
Fiduciary Duties of Office Holders
The Israeli Companies Law codifies the fiduciary duties that “office holders,” including directors and executive officers, owe to a company. An office holder’s fiduciary duties consist of a duty of care and a duty of loyalty. The duty of care requires an office holder to act at a level of care that a reasonable office holder in the same position would employ under the same circumstances. This includes the duty to utilize reasonable means to obtain: (i) information regarding the business feasibility of a given action brought for his approval or performed by him by virtue of his position; and (ii) all other information of importance pertaining to the foregoing actions. The duty of loyalty requires that an office holder act in good faith and for the benefit of the company, including: (i) avoiding any conflict of interest between the office holder’s position in the company and any other position he holds or his personal affairs; (ii) avoiding any competition with the company’s business; (iii) avoiding exploiting any business opportunity of the company in order to receive personal gain for the office holder or others; and (iv) disclosing to the company any information or documents relating to the company’s affairs that the office holder has received by virtue of his position as an office holder.
Disclosure of Personal Interests of an Office Holder; Approval of Transactions with Office Holders
The Israeli Companies Law requires that an office holder promptly, and no later than the first board meeting at which such transaction is considered, disclose any personal interest that he or she may have and all related material information known to him or her and any documents in their possession, in connection with any existing or proposed transaction relating to our company. In addition, if the transaction is an extraordinary transaction, that is, a transaction other than in the ordinary course of business, other than on market terms, or likely to have a material impact on the company’s profitability, assets or liabilities, the office holder must also disclose any personal interest held by the office holder’s spouse, siblings, parents, grandparents, descendants, spouse’s descendants and the spouses of any of the foregoing (“relatives”), or by any corporation in which the office holder or a relative is a 5% or greater shareholder, director or general manager or in which he or she has the right to appoint at least one director or the general manager.
Under the Israeli Companies Law, all arrangements as to compensation of office holders who are not directors other than the chief executive officer require approval by both the compensation committee and the board of directors. The terms of office and employment of the chief executive officer and the directors require the approval of the compensation committee, the board of directors and shareholders. See also “Item 6.C—Board Practices; Compensation of Office Holders”.
Some other transactions, actions, and arrangements involving an office holder (or a third party in which an office holder has an interest) must be approved by the board of directors, or as otherwise provided for in a company’s articles of association. However, a transaction that is not for the benefit of the company may not be approved. In some cases, such a transaction must be approved by the audit committee and by the board of directors, and under certain circumstances, shareholder approval may be required as well. Generally, in all matters in which a director has a personal interest, he or she shall not be permitted to vote on the matter or be present at the meeting in which the matter is considered, except in case of a transaction that is not extraordinary or for the purpose of presenting the proposed transaction, if the chairman of the audit committee or board of directors (as applicable) determines it necessary. Should a majority of the audit committee or of the board of directors have a personal interest in the matter, then: (a) all of the directors are permitted to vote on the matter and attend the meeting at which the matter is considered; and (b) the matter requires approval of the shareholders at a general meeting.
Disclosure of Personal Interests of a Controlling Shareholder; Approval of Transactions with Controlling Shareholders
The disclosure requirements that apply to an office holder also apply to a transaction in which a controlling shareholder of the company has a personal interest. The Israeli Companies Law provides that extraordinary transactions with a controlling shareholder or in which a controlling shareholder has a personal interest, and agreements relating to employment and compensation of a controlling shareholder, generally require the approval of the audit committee (or with respect to terms of office and employment, the compensation committee), the board of directors and the shareholders. Shareholders’ approval shall either include at least half of the shares held by disinterested shareholders participating in the vote, or, alternatively, the total shareholdings of disinterested shareholders voting against the transaction must not represent more than two percent of the voting rights. Agreements relating to engagement or provision of services for a period exceeding three years, must generally be approved once every three years.
For these purposes, a shareholder that holds 25% or more of the voting rights in a company is considered a controlling shareholder if no other shareholder holds more than 50% of the voting rights.
Under the Companies Regulations (Relief regarding Related Party Transactions), 5760-2000, promulgated under the Israeli Companies Law, as amended, certain extraordinary transactions between a public company and its controlling shareholder(s) do not require shareholders’ approval. In addition, under such regulations, directors’ compensation and employment arrangements in a public company do not require the approval of the shareholders if both the compensation committee and the board of directors agree that such arrangements are solely for the benefit of the company or if the directors’ compensation does not exceed the maximum amount of compensation for external directors determined by applicable regulations. Also, employment and compensation arrangements for an office holder that is a controlling shareholder of a public company do not require shareholders’ approval if certain criteria are met. The foregoing exemptions from shareholders’ approval will not apply if one or more shareholders holding at least 1% of the issued and outstanding share capital of the company or of the company’s voting rights, objects to the use of these exemptions, provided that such objection is submitted to the company in writing not later than fourteen days from the date of the filing of a report regarding the adoption of such resolution by the company. If such objection is duly and timely submitted, then the transaction or compensation arrangement of the directors will require shareholders’ approval as detailed above.
The Israeli Companies Law provides that an acquisition of shares in a public company must be made by means of a tender offer if, as a result of the acquisition, a person would become a 25% or greater shareholder of the company. This rule does not apply if there is already another 25% or greater shareholder of the company. Similarly, the Israeli Companies Law provides that an acquisition of shares in a public company must be made by means of a tender offer if as a result of the acquisition, a person would hold greater than a 45% interest in the company unless there is another shareholder holding more than a 45% interest in the company. These requirements do not apply if (i) in general, the acquisition was made in a private placement that received shareholders’ approval, (ii) was from a 25% or greater shareholder of the company, which resulted in the acquirer becoming a 25% or greater shareholder of the company, if there is not already a 25% or greater shareholder of the company, or (iii) was from a shareholder holding a 45% interest in the company which resulted in the acquirer becoming a holder of a 45% interest in the company if there is not already a 45% or greater shareholder of the company.
If, as a result of an acquisition of shares, a person will hold more than 90% of a public company’s outstanding shares or a class of shares, the acquisition must be made by means of a full tender offer for all of the outstanding shares or a class of shares. If less than 5% of the outstanding shares are not tendered in such full tender offer, all of the outstanding shares or class of shares will be transferred to the acquirer. The Israeli Companies Law provides for appraisal rights if any shareholder files a request in court within six months following the consummation of a full tender offer. However, the acquirer may stipulate in the tender offer that any shareholder tendering his shares will not be entitled to appraisal rights. If more than 5% of the outstanding shares are not tendered in the tender offer, then the acquirer may not acquire shares in the tender offer that will cause his shareholding to exceed 90% of the outstanding shares.
Exemption, Indemnification and Insurance of Directors and Officers
Under the Israeli Companies Law, a company may not exempt an office holder from liability with respect to a breach of his fiduciary duty, but may exempt in advance an office holder from his liability to the company, in whole or in part, with respect to a breach of his duty of care. However, a company may not exculpate in advance a director from his or her liability to the company with respect to a breach of his duty of care in connection with distributions (as defined in the Companies Law) or for certain breaches listed below.
Pursuant to the Companies Law, a company may indemnify an office holder against: (i) a financial obligation imposed on him in favor of another person by a court judgment, including a compromise judgment or an arbitrator’s award approved by court; (ii) reasonable litigation expenses, including attorney’s fees, expended by the office holder as a result of an investigation or proceeding instituted against him by a competent authority, provided that such investigation or proceeding concluded without the filing of an indictment against him and either (A) concluded without the imposition of any financial liability in lieu of criminal proceedings or (B) concluded with the imposition of a financial liability in lieu of criminal proceedings but relates to a criminal offense that does not require proof of criminal intent; and (iii) expenses, including reasonable litigation expenses and legal fees, incurred by an office holder as a result of a proceeding instituted against such office holder in relation to (A) infringements that may impose financial sanction pursuant to the provisions of Chapter H’3 under the Israeli Securities Law, 1968, or the Securities Law, or (B) administrative infringements pursuant to the provisions of Chapter H’4 under the Securities Law, or (C) infringements pursuant to the provisions of Chapter I’1 under the Securities Law.
The indemnification of an office holder must be expressly permitted in the articles of association, under which the company may (i) undertake in advance to indemnify its office holders with respect to certain types of events that can be foreseen at the time of giving such undertaking and up to an amount determined by the board of directors to be reasonable under the circumstances, or (ii) provide indemnification retroactively in amounts deemed to be reasonable by the board of directors.
A company may also procure insurance for an office holder’s liability in consequence of an act performed in the scope of his office in the following cases: (i) a breach of the duty of care of such office holder, (ii) a breach of fiduciary duty, only if the office holder acted in good faith and had reasonable grounds to believe that such act would not be detrimental to the company, or (iii) a monetary obligation imposed on the office holder for the benefit of another person. Subject to the provisions of the Companies Law and the Securities Law, a company may also enter into a contract for procurement of insurance for an office holder for (a) expenses, including reasonable litigation expenses and legal fees, incurred by the office holder as a result of a proceeding instituted against such office holder in relation to (A) infringements that may impose financial sanction pursuant to the provisions of Chapter H’3 under the Securities Law or (B) administrative infringements pursuant to the provisions of Chapter H’4 under the Securities Law or (C) infringements pursuant to the provisions of Chapter I’1 under the Securities Law and (b) payments made to the injured parties of such infringement under Section 52ND(a)(1)(a) of the Securities Law.
A company may not indemnify an office holder against, nor enter into an insurance contract which would provide coverage for, any monetary liability incurred as a result of any of the following:
| • | a breach by the office holder of his fiduciary duty unless the office holder acted in good faith and had a reasonable basis to believe that the act would not prejudice the company; |
| • | a breach by the office holder of his duty of care if such breach was performed intentionally or recklessly; |
| • | any act or omission carried out with the intent to derive an illegal personal gain; or |
| • | any fine or penalty levied against the office holder as a result of a criminal offense. |
Under the Companies Law, exemption and indemnification of, and procurement of insurance coverage for, a company’s office holders, must be approved under the same terms that apply to approval of the terms of office and employment of the office holders. For more information, see Item 6.B - “Directors, Senior Management and Employees – Compensation of Directors and Officers”.
Our Articles of Association allow us to exempt any office holder to the maximum extent permitted by law, before or after the occurrence giving rise to such exemption. Our Articles of Association also provide that we may indemnify any office holder, to the maximum extent permitted by law, against any liabilities he or she may incur in such capacity, limited with respect (i) to the categories of events that can be foreseen in advance by our Board of Directors when authorizing such undertaking and (ii) to the amount of such indemnification as determined retroactively by our Board of Directors to be reasonable in the particular circumstances. Similarly, we may also agree to indemnify an office holder for past occurrences, whether or not we are obligated under any agreement to provide such indemnification. Our Articles of Association also allow us to procure insurance covering any past or present officer holder against any liability which he or she may incur in such capacity, to the maximum extent permitted by law. Such insurance may also cover the company for indemnifying such office holder. We have obtained directors’ and officers’ liability insurance covering our officers and directors and those of our subsidiaries for certain claims. In addition, we have provided our directors and officers with letters providing them with exemption and indemnification to the fullest extent permitted under Israeli law (except that we are not required to exempt our directors and officers from liability for damages caused as a result of a breach of the office holder’s duty of care in transactions in which a controlling shareholder or an office holder has a personal interest).
Israeli Securities Authority Administrative Enforcement
Under the Israeli Securities Law, the Israeli Securities Authority, or ISA, may take certain administrative enforcement actions against a company or a person, including a director, officer or shareholder of a company, if carrying out certain transgressions designated in the Securities Law.
The Securities Law also requires that the chief executive officer of a company supervise and take all reasonable measures to prevent the company or any of its employees from breaching certain provisions of the Israeli Securities Law. The chief executive officer is presumed to have fulfilled such supervisory duty if the company adopts internal enforcement procedures designed to prevent such breaches, appoints a representative to supervise the implementation of such procedures and takes measures to correct the breach and prevent its reoccurrence. The ISA is authorized to impose fines on any person or company breaching certain provisions designated under the Companies Law.
We have adopted several codes and policies, which contain various corporate governance principles, including a Code of Ethics (which includes Whistle Blower procedures), Insider Trading Policy and a Policy Prohibiting Bribery and Corruption, all of which are available on our website at www.gilat.com. See “Item 16B – Code of Ethics”.
We consider our employees the most valuable asset of our company. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits to attract and retain our employees. The remuneration and rewards include retention through share-based compensation and performance-based bonuses to our key employees.
We believe that an engaged workforce is key to maintaining our ability to innovate. We invest in our employees’ career growth and development is an important focus for us. We offer learning opportunities and training programs including workshops, guest speakers and various conferences to enable our employees to advance in their chosen professional paths.
We are committed to providing a safe work environment for our employees in compliance with applicable regulations.
As of December 31, 2022, we had 987 full-time employees, including 276 employees in engineering, research and development, 239 employees in manufacturing, operations and technical support, 81 employees in marketing and sales, 44 employees in administration and finance and 347 in other departments. Of these employees, 293 were based in our facilities in Israel, 158 were employed in the U.S., 316 were employed in Latin America and 220 were employed in Asia, the Far East and other parts of the world.
As of December 31, 2021, we had 796 full-time employees, including 241 employees in engineering, research and development, 323 employees in manufacturing, operations and technical support, 66 employees in marketing and sales, 87 employees in administration and finance and 79 in other departments. Of these employees, 256 were based in our facilities in Israel, 148 were employed in the U.S., 204 were employed in Latin America and 188 were employed in Asia, the Far East and other parts of the world.
As of December 31, 2020, we had 779 full-time employees, including 251 employees in engineering, research and development, 304 employees in manufacturing, operations and technical support, 67 employees in marketing and sales, 86 employees in administration and finance and 71 in other departments. Of these employees, 262 were based in our facilities in Israel, 132 were employed in the U.S., 200 were employed in Latin America and 185 were employed in Asia, the Far East and other parts of the world.
We also utilize temporary employees, as necessary, to supplement our manufacturing and other capabilities.
We provide our employees around the world with fringe benefits in accordance with applicable law and we are subject to various labor laws and labor practices around the world. Rulings by Israel’s National Labor Court and Israel’s largest labor union’s bylaws substantially facilitate the organization of a labor union in companies in Israel. We and our employees are not parties to any collective bargaining agreements and our employees are not represented by any labor union. However, certain provisions of the collective bargaining agreements between the Histadrut (General Federation of Labor in Israel) and the Coordination Bureau of Economic Organizations (including the Manufacturers’ Association of Israel) are applicable to all Israeli employees by order of the Israeli Minister of Economy and Industry. These provisions principally concern the length of the workday and the work week, minimum wages for workers, contributions to a pension fund, insurance for work-related accidents, procedures for dismissing employees, determination of severance pay and other conditions of employment. These provisions are modified from time to time.
Israeli law generally requires severance pay upon termination, resignation in certain instances or death of an employee. Our ongoing severance obligations are in the most part funded by making monthly payments to approved severance funds or insurance policies, with the remainder accrued as a long-term liability in our consolidated financial statements. In addition, Israeli employees and employers are required to pay specified amounts to the National Insurance Institute, which is, in essence, parallel to the U.S. Social Security Administration. Our permanent employees are generally covered by life and pension insurance policies providing customary benefits to employees, including retirement and severance benefits.
Our U.S. subsidiary sponsors a retirement plan for eligible employees. Their 401(k) Plan is a “safe harbor” 401(k) Plan and allows eligible employees to defer compensation up to the maximum amount allowed under the current Internal Revenue Code. As a “safe harbor” plan, our U.S. subsidiary must make a mandatory contribution to the 401(k) Plan to satisfy certain nondiscrimination requirements under the Internal Revenue Code. This mandatory contribution is made for all eligible employees. In addition to 401(k) Plan, our U.S subsidiary provides healthcare and life insurance coverage to all eligible employees.
Beneficial Ownership of Executive Officers and Directors
None of our directors and executive officers beneficially owns more than 1% of our outstanding shares.
As of December 31, 2022, our directors and executive officers as a group (15 persons) held options to purchase 1,760,869 of our ordinary shares under our share options plans (described below), exercisable at a weighted average exercise price of $8.64 per share (adjusted for the distribution of dividends in April 2019, December 2020 and January 2021). These options have expiration dates ranging from February 2023 to September 2028.
2008 Share Incentive Plan
In October 2008, our Board of Directors adopted the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan, or the 2008 Plan, for issuance of options, restricted share units, or RSUs, and other forms of equity-based awards to our directors, officers, consultants and employees. The term of the 2008 Plan had been extended by an additional ten-year period, commencing in October 2015. Our Board of Directors also adopted a sub-plan to enable qualified optionees certain tax benefits under the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance. Following increases approved by our Board of Directors, the total number of ordinary shares reserved for issuance of options under the 2008 Plan is 10.3 million shares. As of December 31, 2022, we have granted options to purchase 7,761,676 ordinary shares under the 2008 Plan (excluding options that were granted and cancelled), pursuant to which 3,181,313 ordinary shares have been issued as of December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2022, we had outstanding options to purchase 3,441,644 ordinary shares, with exercise prices ranging from $4.06 to $11.92 per share (adjusted due to the distribution of a dividends in April 2019, December 2020 and January 2021). Such options expire at various times through November 2028. As of December 31, 2022 there were no outstanding RSUs under this plan.
In February 2019, the 2008 Plan was amended to include a dividend adjustment, whereby unless otherwise is resolved by the Board of Directors, the exercise price of each outstanding share option (whether vested or not) (as such term is defined in the 2008 Plan), shall be reduced by an amount equal to the cash dividend per share distributed on the applicable distribution date. Following the dividend distribution in April 2019, the exercise price of each outstanding share option was reduced by $0.45 and following the dividend distributions in December 2020 and January 2021, the exercise price of each outstanding share option was reduced by $0.36 and $0.63, respectively. In addition, the amendment stipulates that the administrating committee may apply a “net exercise” payment method, whereby a certain number of ordinary shares to which a participant is entitled, may be withheld according to the formula set forth in the amendment.
The term of the options granted under the 2008 Plan is six years, subject to the terms of the specific plan and grant letter.
The options granted under the 2008 Plan to our executives generally vest over a four-year period. The options granted under the 2008 Plan to our directors generally vest ratably each quarter over a three-year period except in the case of the grant to our Chairman of the Board of Directors, in which the options vest over a four-year period.
The purpose of the 2008 Plan is to enable us to attract and retain qualified persons as employees, officers, directors, consultants and advisors and to motivate such persons by providing them with an equity participation in our company. The Section 102 Plans are designed to afford qualified optionees certain tax benefits under the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance.
The 2008 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee appointed by our Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee recommends to our Board, or in case of office holders, approves, the persons entitled to receive options and RSUs, the terms and conditions on which options or rights to purchase are granted and the number of shares subject thereto. The grants of options and RSUs are approved by our Board.
Options issued pursuant to the 2008 Plan may be granted to our and our subsidiaries’ directors, officers, consultants and employees. Pursuant to the terms of the Plan, the exercise price of incentive share options must be not less than the closing price of our ordinary shares on NASDAQ on the date of grant of the options or, if the closing price is not quoted on such date, on the preceding trading day.
Options are exercisable and restrictions on disposition of shares lapse according to the terms of the applicable plan and of the individual agreements under which such options were granted or awards issued.
| F. | DISCLOSURE OF A REGISTRANT’S ACTION TO RECOVER ERRONEOUSLY AWARDED COMPENSATION |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 7: | MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares, as of March 6, 2023, by each person who we believe beneficially owns 5% or more of our outstanding ordinary shares and all of our directors and executive officers as a group.
Beneficial ownership of shares is determined under rules of the SEC and generally includes any shares over which a person exercises sole or shared voting or investment power. The percentage ownership of each such person is based on the number of ordinary Shares outstanding as of March 6, 2023 and includes the number of ordinary shares underlying options and RSUs that are exercisable within sixty (60) days from the date of March 6, 2023 ordinary shares subject to these options and RSUs are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the ownership percentage of the person holding these options and RSUs, but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the ownership percentage of any other person. The information in the table below is based on 56,614,491 ordinary shares outstanding as of March 6, 2023. Each of our outstanding ordinary shares has identical rights in all respects. The information in the table below with respect to the beneficial ownership of shareholders is based on the public filings of such shareholders with the SEC through March 6, 2023 and information provided to us by such shareholders.
| | | | | | |
| Phoenix Holdings Ltd. (1) | | | 10,828,962 | | | | 19.13 | % |
| Meitav Investment House Ltd.(2) | | | 4,787,687 | | | | 8.46 | % |
| Thrivent Financial for Lutherans (3) | | | 2,828,771 | | | | 5.00 | % |
| All directors and executive officers as a group (15 persons) (4) | | | 692,934 | | | | 1.22 | % |
| (1) | Based on Schedule 13G filed on February 14, 2023 with the SEC by Phoenix Holdings Ltd. and information provided to us by Phoenix Holdings Ltd., as of January 1, 2023. The ordinary shares reported are beneficially owned by various direct or indirect, majority or wholly-owned subsidiaries of Benelus Lux S.a.r.l and/or Phoenix Holdings Ltd. and/or Excellence Investments Ltd. The Subsidiaries manage their own funds and/or the funds of others, including for holders of exchange-traded notes or various insurance policies, members of pension or provident funds, unit holders of mutual funds, and portfolio management clients. CP III Cayman GP Ltd., Matthew Botein and Lewis (Lee) Sachs are the controlling shareholders of Benelus Lux S.a.r.l. The principal office of Phoenix Holdings Ltd. is 53 Derech Hashalom Drive, Ramat Gan 5345433. |
| (2) | Based on Schedule 13G filed on January 11, 2023 with the SEC by Meitav Investment House Ltd. (“Meitav”) and information provided to us by Meitav as of January 11, 2023. The ordinary shares reported are beneficially owned by various direct or indirect, majority or wholly-owned subsidiaries of Meitav (the "Subsidiaries"). Some of the securities reported in the filing are held by third-party client accounts managed by a subsidiary of Meitav as portfolio managers, which subsidiary operates under independent management and makes independent investment decisions and has no voting power in the securities held in such client accounts. The Subsidiaries manage their own funds and/or the funds of others, including for holders of exchange-traded notes or members of pension or provident funds, unit holders of mutual funds, and portfolio management clients. Each of the Subsidiaries operates under independent management and makes its own independent voting and investment decisions. The principal office of Meitav. is 30 Derekh Sheshet Ha-Yamim, Bnei Brak, Israel. |
| (3) | Based on Schedule 13G filed on February 7, 2023 with the SEC by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans ("Thrivent"). The ordinary shares reported are beneficially owned by a Thrivent trusts and subsidiaries for which Thrivent Financial for Lutherans serves as investment adviser. The ordinary shares were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under §240.14a-11 The principal office of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is 1651 Old Medow Rd McLean, VA 22102. |
| (4) | As of March 6, 2023, all directors and executive officers as a group (15 persons) held 692,934 options that are vested or that vest within 60 days of March 6, 2023. |
Significant Changes in the Ownership of Major Shareholders
As of March 2, 2021, our major shareholders were FIMI Funds, beneficially owning 14,901,865 ordinary shares (approximately 26.4% ownership), Mivtach Shamir Holdings Ltd. beneficially owning 4,316,768 ordinary shares (approximately 7.6% ownership) and Yelin Lapidot Holdings Management Ltd. beneficially owning 2,967,963 ordinary shares (approximately 5.25% ownership).
As of May 9, 2022, our major shareholders were FIMI Funds, beneficially owning 5,562,994 ordinary shares (approximately 9.8% ownership), Phoenix Holdings Ltd. beneficially owning 5,269,703 ordinary shares (approximately 9.3% ownership), and Meitav Investments Ltd. beneficially owning 3,755,003 ordinary shares (approximately 6.6% ownership).
As of March 6, 2023, our major shareholders were Phoenix Holdings Ltd. beneficially owning 10,828,962 ordinary shares (approximately 19.13% ownership), Meitav Investment House Ltd. beneficially owning 4,787,687 ordinary shares (approximately 8.46 % ownership), and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans beneficially owning 2,828,771 ordinary shares (approximately 5.00% ownership).
Major Shareholders Voting Rights
The voting rights of our major shareholders do not differ from the voting rights of other holders of our ordinary shares, except to the extent that they hold more than 14% and as such, they will have a right to appoint a director, subject to certain conditions set forth in our Articles of Association.
Record Holders
Based on a review of the information provided to us by our transfer agent, as of March 6, 2023, there were 69 holders of record of our ordinary shares, of which 49 record holders holding approximately 91.5% of our ordinary shares had registered addresses in the U.S. These numbers are not representative of the number of beneficial holders of our shares nor is it representative of where such beneficial holders reside since many of these ordinary shares were held of record by brokers or other nominees, including CEDE & Co., the nominee for the Depositary Company (the central depositary for the U.S. brokerage community), which held approximately 91.5% of our outstanding ordinary shares as of said date.
| B. | Related Party Transactions |
Since 2014, our Board of Directors has approved our entering into several agreements for the purchase of infrastructure, construction and services from C. Mer Industries Ltd., or C. Mer. FIMI Funds, our former largest shareholder, held approximately 36.6% of C. Mer’s share capital as of December 31, 2021. These transactions were approved by our Audit Committee and Board of Directors in accordance with the requirements of the Israeli Companies Law.
As of December 31, 2022, FIMI holds less than 5% of our share capital and has no representatives on our board of directors. Accordingly, FIMI and its affiliates are no longer considered related parties.
In the year ending on December 31, 2022, none of our major shareholders held more than 25% of our share capital. In the year ending on December 31, 2022, we settled the final payment with C. Mer for their services and purchased certain products from Euclid. These transactions were approved by our Audit Committee, and Board of Directors, in accordance with the requirements of the Israeli Companies law.
| C. | Interests of Experts and Counsel |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 8: | FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
| A. | Consolidated Statements |
See the consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, and the exhibits listed in Item 18 hereof and incorporated herein by this reference.
Export Sales
For information on our revenues breakdown for the past three years, see Item 5: “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.”
Legal Proceedings
We are a party to various legal proceedings incident to our business. Except as noted below, there are no material legal proceedings pending or, to our knowledge, threatened against us or our subsidiaries, and we are not involved in any legal proceedings that our management believes, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results.
In 2003, the Brazilian tax authority filed a claim against our inactive subsidiary in Brazil, SPC International Ltda, for the payment of taxes allegedly due from the subsidiary. After numerous hearings and appeals at various appellate levels in Brazil, the Supreme Court ruled against the subsidiary in final non-appealable decisions published in June 2017. As of December 31, 2022, the total amount of this claim, including interest, penalties and legal fees is approximately $7 million, of which approximately $0.8 million is the principal. The Brazilian tax authorities initiated foreclosure proceedings against the subsidiary and certain of its former managers. The foreclosure proceedings against the former manager were cancelled by court in a final and not appealable decision issued in July 2017. While foreclosure and other collection proceedings are pending against the subsidiary, based on Brazilian external counsel’s opinion, we believe that the subsidiary has solid arguments to sustain its position that further collection proceedings and inclusion of any additional co-obligors in the tax foreclosure certificate are barred due to statute of limitation and that the foreclosure procedures cannot legally be redirected to other group entities and managers who were not initially cited in the foreclosure proceeding due to the passage of the statute of limitation. Accordingly, we believe that the chances that such redirection will lead to a loss recognition are remote.
In 2014, our Peruvian subsidiary, Gilat To Home Peru, or GTH Peru, initiated arbitration proceedings in Lima against the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Peru, or MTC, and PRONATEL. The arbitration was related to the PRONATEL projects awarded to us in 2000-2001. Under these projects, GTH Peru provided fixed public telephony services in rural areas of Peru. Our subsidiary’s main claim was related to damages caused by the promotion of mobile telephony in such areas by the Peruvian government in the years 2011-2015. In June 2018, the arbitration tribunal issued an arbitration award ordering MTC and PRONATEL to pay our subsidiary approximately $14 million. The arbitration award in favor of our subsidiary was confirmed by the Peruvian Superior Court, which ordered MTC and PRONATEL in November 2020 to pay the arbitration-award amount. Following the Superior Court’s decision our subsidiary has initiated collection procedures against MTC and PRONATEL. In January 2023, our subsidiary was paid the first payment of approximately $3.25 million.
In October 2019, our Peruvian subsidiary GTH Peru initiated additional arbitration proceedings against MTC and PRONATEL based on similar grounds for the years 2015-2019. In June 2022, the arbitration tribunal issued an arbitration award ordering MTC and PRONATEL to pay GTH Peru approximately $15 million. In September 2022 MTC filed an annulment action against the award and in parallel, in October 2022, GTH Peru, initiated an enforcement process for collection of the awarded amount. Based on the advice of counsel, we believe that the chances of success of the proceedings seeking to annual the award are remote.
In 2018, GNP, our subsidiary in Peru, won a government bid for two additional regional projects in the Amazonas and Ica regions in Peru for PRONATEL with a contractual value of approximately $154 million. GMC Engineering Solutions and SATEL Comunicaciones y Datos, two of the three entities comprising the losing bidder consortium, applied to the superior court in Lima to cancel the bid and obtained a preliminary injunction against the award. Although the lawsuit did not name our subsidiary as a defendant, our subsidiary was served as an interested third party in the process and filed its objection and defenses. Even though the legal proceedings continue, currently, following PRONATEL’s request, our subsidiary continues performing these projects. Based on the advice of counsel, we believe that the chances of success of the proceedings seeking to cancel the bid are remote.
In addition, we are in the midst of different stages of audits and disputes with various tax authorities in different parts of the world. Further, we are defendant in various other lawsuits, including employment-related litigation claims and may be subject to other legal proceedings in the normal course of our business. While we intend to defend the aforementioned matters vigorously, we believe that a loss in excess of our accrued liability with respect to these claims is not probable.
Dividend Policy
We presently do not have a dividend policy. On April 2019, we distributed for the first time a cash dividend of $0.45 per share (approximately $24.9 million in the aggregate). Following receipt of the settlement amount from Comtech, in December 2020 we distributed a cash dividend of $0.36 per share (approximately $20 million in total), and in January 2021 (following receipt of court approval) we distributed an additional cash dividend of $0.63 per share (approximately $35 million). We have not adopted a general policy regarding the distribution of dividends and make no statements as to the distribution of dividends in the foreseeable future. The terms of some of our financing arrangements restrict us from paying dividends to our shareholders and require prior approval of certain banks which provide us with credit facilities and guarantees. Israeli law limits the distribution of cash dividends to the greater of retained earnings or earnings generated over the two most recent years, in either case provided that we reasonably believe that the dividend will not render us unable to meet our current or foreseeable obligations when due. Notwithstanding the foregoing, dividends may be paid with the approval of a court (such as in the case of the January 2021 dividend), provided that there is no reasonable concern that such dividend distribution will prevent the company from satisfying its current and foreseeable obligations, as they become due. Our Articles of Association provide that no dividends shall be paid otherwise than out of our profits and that any such dividend shall carry no interest. For information regarding taxation of dividend, see ITEM 10.E – “Additional Information - Taxation - Israeli Tax Consequences of Holding Our Stock - Dividends”.
B. Significant Changes
Not applicable.
| ITEM 9: | THE OFFER AND LISTING |
| A. | Offer and Listing Details |
Our ordinary shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “GILT” and are also traded on the TASE.
Not applicable.
Our ordinary shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “GILT” and are also traded on the TASE.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
| ITEM 10: | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
Not applicable.
| B. | Memorandum and Articles of Association |
Set out below is a description of certain provisions of our Articles of Association and of the Israeli Companies Law related to such provisions. This description is only a summary, does not purport to be complete and is qualified by reference to the full text of the Articles of Association, which are incorporated by reference as exhibits to this annual report, and to Israeli law.
Registration and Purposes
We are an Israeli public company registered with the Israel companies register, registration No. 52-003893-6.
Under the Companies Law, a company may define its purpose as to engage in any lawful business and may broaden the scope of its purpose to the grant of reasonable donations for any proper charitable cause, even if the basis for any such donation is not dependent upon business considerations. Our Articles of Association provide that our purpose is to engage in any business permitted by law and that we may also grant reasonable donations for any proper charitable cause.
Powers of the Directors
Under the provisions of the Israeli Companies Law and our Articles of Association, a director cannot vote on a proposal, arrangement or contract in which he or she has a personal interest, nor attend a meeting during which such transaction is considered, except in event of a transaction that is not extraordinary or for the purpose of presenting the proposed transaction, if the chairman of the audit committee or board of directors (as applicable) determines it necessary. In addition, the terms of office and employment of the directors require the approval of the compensation committee, the board of directors and shareholders. For more information regarding the requirements for approval of certain transactions, see Item 6B - “Directors, Senior Management and Employees – “Compensation of Directors and Officers”.
Rights Attached to Ordinary Shares
Please refer to Exhibit 2.1 for Items 10.B.3, B.4, B.6, B.7, B.8, B.9 and B.10.
While we have numerous contracts with customers and distributors, we do not deem any individual contract to be a material contract that is not in the ordinary course of our business, except as set forth below:
In March and December 2015, the Peruvian government awarded us the PRONATEL Regional Projects for the construction of networks, operation of the networks for a defined period and their transfer to the government, which are expected to generate aggregate revenues of $395 million to be recognized over approximately 14-16 years. In accordance with the bid conditions, we established a subsidiary in Peru, GNP, to enter into written agreements with the Peruvian government for each of the four regional projects that were awarded. In 2018, we were awarded two additional PRONATEL Regional Projects with contractual value of approximately $154 million. Revenues from these projects are expected to be generated over approximately 15 years for the construction of networks, operation of the networks for a defined period and transfer of the transport networks to the government. See Item 4.B. – “Information on the Company – Business Overview”.
In order to guarantee our performance obligations and the down payment we received under the PRONATEL Regional Projects, we issued bank guarantees and surety bonds for the benefit of PRONATEL. The bank guarantees were issued by FIBI and HSBC through a Peruvian bank, and the surety bonds were issued by Amtrust through a Peruvian bank. The surety bonds issued by Amtrust expired on December 2, 2019 after completion of the relevant milestone in the PRONATEL Regional Projects.
The aggregate amount of the bank guarantees outstanding to secure our various performance obligations, issued on our behalf by HSBC, FIBI and Scotia Bank del Peru as of December 31, 2022, was approximately $82.7 million, including an aggregate of approximately $80 million on behalf of our subsidiaries in Peru. We have provided HSBC and FIBI with various pledges as collateral for HSBC and FIBI guarantees.
There are no Israeli currency control restrictions on payments of dividends or other distributions with respect to our ordinary shares or the proceeds from the sale of the shares. However, legislation remains in effect pursuant to which currency controls can be imposed by administrative action at any time.
Non-residents of Israel who purchase our securities with non-Israeli currency will be able to repatriate dividends (if any), liquidation distributions and the proceeds of any sale of such securities, into non-Israeli currencies at the rate of exchange prevailing at the time of repatriation, provided that any applicable Israeli taxes have been paid (or withheld) on such amounts.Neither our Articles of Association nor the laws of the State of Israel restrict in any way the ownership or voting of Ordinary Shares by non-residents of Israel, except with respect to citizens of countries that are in a state of war with Israel.
The following is a discussion of Israeli and U.S. tax consequences material to our shareholders. To the extent that the discussion is based on new tax legislation which has not been subject to judicial or administrative interpretation, the views expressed in the discussion might not be accepted by the tax authorities in question. The discussion is not intended, and should not be construed, as legal or professional tax advice and does not exhaust all possible tax considerations.
Holders of our ordinary shares should consult their own tax advisors as to the U.S., Israeli or other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of ordinary shares, including, in particular, the effect of any foreign, state or local taxes.
ISRAELI TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of certain Israeli income tax and capital gains tax consequences for non-Israeli residents as well as Israeli residents holding our ordinary shares. The summary is based on provisions of the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance (new version), 1961 and regulations promulgated thereunder, as well as on administrative and judicial interpretations, all as currently in effect, and all of which are subject to change (possibly with retroactive effect) and to differing interpretations. There might be changes in the tax rates and in the circumstances in which they apply, and other modifications which might change the tax consequences to you. The summary is intended for general purposes only, and does not relate to all relevant tax aspects. The discussion is not intended and should not be construed as legal or professional tax advice sufficient for decision making. This summary does not discuss all aspects of Israeli income and capital gain taxation that may be applicable to investors in light of their particular circumstances or to investors who are subject to special status or treatment under Israeli tax law.
FOR THE FOREGOING AND OTHER REASONS, YOU ARE URGED TO CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR HOLDINGS. WE ARE NOT MAKING ANY REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES AS TO ANY HOLDER, NOR ARE WE OR OUR ADVISORS RENDERING ANY FORM OF LEGAL OPINION OR PROFESSIONAL TAX ADVICE AS TO SUCH TAX CONSEQUENCES.
Generally, income of Israeli companies is subject to corporate tax. The Israeli corporate tax rate since January 1, 2018 is 23%.
Israeli Tax Consequences of Holding Our Stock
Non-Israeli residents
Non-Israeli residents are subject to tax on income accrued or derived from Israeli sources. These include, inter alia, dividends, royalties and interest, as well as other types of income (e.g., from provision of services in Israel). We are required to withhold income tax on any such payments we make to non-residents. Israel presently has no estate or gift tax.
Capital Gains
Israeli law generally imposes tax on capital gains derived from the sale of securities and other Israeli capital assets, including shares in Israeli resident companies, unless a specific exemption is available or a treaty between Israel and the country of the non-resident provides otherwise. Capital gains from sales of our ordinary shares will be tax exempt for non-Israeli residents provided certain conditions are met (one of these conditions is that the gains are not derived through a permanent establishment that the non-resident maintains in Israel).
Subject to the exemptions provided by the Israeli law, as described above, pursuant to the tax treaty between Israel and the U.S., or the Treaty, U.S. residents are generally exempt from Israeli capital gains tax on capital gain derived from the sale of our shares. This exemption does not apply to U.S. residents holding (at the time of the sale or in the preceding 12 months) 10% or more of the voting power in the Company.
Dividends
The statutory withholding tax rate for dividends distributed by an Israeli company to non-resident shareholders is generally 25%. The rate is reduced to 15% for dividends distributed out of income generated by an Approved Enterprise. A different withholding tax rate may apply as a result of a tax treaty between Israel and shareholder’s country of residence.
Under the Treaty, the maximum Israeli tax rate on dividends paid to a corporate holder of our ordinary shares who is a U.S. resident is 25%. However, dividends paid to a U.S. corporation holding at least 10% of our voting power in the year of the sale and in the entire preceding tax year shall be subject to a 15% tax withholding rate, if the dividend is generated by an Approved Enterprise or 12.5% if the dividends are not generated by an Approved Enterprise.
Filing of Tax Returns in Israel
Non-Israeli residents who receive interest, dividend or royalty income derived or accrued in Israel, from which Israeli tax was withheld, are generally exempt from Israeli tax filing obligations, provided that: (i) such income was not derived from a business conducted in Israel, and (ii) the taxpayer has no other taxable sources of income in Israel with respect to which a tax return is required to be filed.
Israeli Residents
Capital Gains
Israeli law imposes capital gains tax on capital gains derived from the sale of securities and other capital assets, including ordinary shares. Generally, gains from sale of ordinary shares acquired prior to January 1, 2012 are subject to a 20% capital gains tax for individuals. The tax rate is increased to 25% for sale of shares by an individual shareholder holding 10% or more of the shares or voting power in the company (i.e., a substantial shareholder). Corporate shareholders are subject to a 25% capital gains tax rate.
Following enactment of the Tax Burden Law, starting January 1, 2012, the capital gains tax rate applicable to individuals upon the sale of our shares is such individual’s marginal (income) tax rate but not more than 25% (or 30% with respect to a substantial shareholder). With respect to corporate investors, the rate of capital gains tax imposed on the sale of shares is equal to the corporate tax rate, which is 23% since January 1, 2018.
Individual shareholders dealing with securities in Israel are taxed at their marginal tax rates applicable to business income (and up to 47% in 2020, 2021 and 2022).
In addition, effective as of January 1, 2017, shareholders that are individuals who have taxable income that exceeds the following amounts in a tax year, will be subject to an additional tax, referred to as High Income Tax, at the rate of 3% on their taxable income for such tax year which is in excess of such amount. The amounts are NIS 651,600 in 2020, NIS 647,640 in 2021 and NIS 663,240 in 2022. For this purpose, taxable income will include taxable capital gains from the sale of our shares and taxable income from dividend distributions.
Dividends
Distribution of dividend income, other than bonus shares (stock dividends), to Israeli residents holding our ordinary shares is generally subject to income tax at a rate of 25% for individuals and 30% for a substantial individual shareholder. Israeli resident corporations are exempt from income tax on dividends, provided the dividend was paid out of income generated in Israel.
Generally, dividends distributed from taxable income accrued during the period of benefits of Approved Enterprise are taxable at a rate of 15% and dividends distributed from taxable income accrued during the period of benefits of a Benefitted Enterprise, are taxable at the rate of 15%, if the dividend is distributed during the tax benefit period, or within an additional 12 years after the lapse of that period.
Tax Benefits under the Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959
Tax Benefits prior to the Amendment of 2005
The Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959, or Investments Law, provides that a capital investment in eligible facilities may, upon application to the Authority for Investments and Development of the Industry and Economy of the Ministry of Economy and Industry of the State of Israel, be designated as an “Approved Enterprise”.
An Approved Enterprise is eligible for tax benefits on taxable income derived from its approved enterprise programs. We have been granted “Approved Enterprise” status under the Investment Law for nine investment programs.
Tax Benefits under the 2005 Amendment
On April 1, 2005, a comprehensive amendment to the Investment Law came into effect, (the “Amendment”). The Amendment includes revisions to the criteria for investments qualified to receive tax benefits as an Approved Enterprise. The Amendment applies to new investment programs and investment programs commencing after 2004 and does not apply to investment programs approved prior to December 31, 2004.
As a result of the Amendment, it was no longer necessary for a company to apply to the Authority for Investments and Development of the Industry and Economy in order to acquire Approved Enterprise status. Instead, a company whose facilities meet the criteria for tax benefits set out by the Amendment, may receive the tax benefits afforded to a “Benefitted Enterprise” by independently selecting the tax year from which the period of benefits under the Investment Law are to commence and notifying the Israeli Tax Authority within 12 months of the end of that year.
Generally, tax benefits under the Amendment are available to production facilities (or other eligible facilities), that derive more than 25% of their business income from exports. In order to receive the tax benefits, the company must make a certain minimum investment in the acquisition of manufacturing assets such as machinery and equipment. Such investment may be made over a period of no more than three years ending at the end of the year in which the company requested to have the tax benefits apply to its Benefitted Enterprise.
We were eligible under the terms of minimum qualification investment and elected 2011 to have the tax benefits apply.
Tax benefits are available until the earlier of 7 or 10 years from the date that the period of benefits commenced, and the lapse of 12 years from the first day of the year in which the election was made. Our periods of benefits as a Benefitted Enterprise under the 2011 election will expire in 2023.
The tax benefits include exemption from corporate tax on undistributed income for a period of two to ten years, depending on the geographic location of the Benefitted Enterprise within Israel, and a reduced corporate tax rate of 10% to 25% for the remainder of the benefits period, depending on the level of foreign investment in the company. If the company pays a dividend out of income derived from the Benefited Enterprise during the tax exemption period, such income will be subject to corporate tax at the applicable rate (10%-25%) in respect of the grossed up amount of the dividend that we may distribute (“Claw-back Tax"). We would be required to withhold tax at a rate of 15% from any dividends distributed from income derived from the Benefitted Enterprise.
Benefits under the 2011 and 2016 Amendments
Under an amendment to the Investment Law effective January 1, 2011, upon an irrevocable election made by the company, a uniform corporate tax rate will apply to all qualifying income of the company, as opposed to the previous law’s tax incentives that were limited to income only from Benefitted Enterprises during their benefit period (Preferred Enterprise). Under the amended law, the uniform tax rate was 7% in geographical areas in Israel designated as Development Zone A and 12.5% elsewhere in Israel in 2013 The uniform tax rate from 2014 and onwards is set to 9% in areas in Israel designated as Development Zone A and 16% elsewhere in Israel.
A dividend distributed from income which is attributed to a Preferred Enterprise will be subject to withholding tax at the following rates: (i) Israeli resident corporation –0%, (ii) Israeli resident individual – 20% in 2014 and onwards (iii) non-Israeli resident - 20% in 2014 and onwards, subject to a reduced tax rate under the provisions of an applicable double tax treaty.
According to an Amendment from December 2016, a preferred enterprise located in development area A will be subject to a tax rate of 7.5% instead of 9% effective from January 1, 2017 and thereafter (the tax rate applicable to preferred enterprises located in other areas remains at 16%).
Under the transitory provisions of the January 1, 2011 legislation, we may opt whether to irrevocably implement the Amendment and waive benefits provided under the prior law or keep the prior benefits. This decision may be taken at any stage. We will consider in the future whether to opt for the benefits under the Amendment.
The December 2016 amendment also prescribes special tax tracks for technological enterprises. The new tax tracks under the amendment are as follows:
Technological preferred enterprise - an enterprise whose total consolidated revenues (parent company and all subsidiaries) is less than NIS 10 billion. A technological preferred enterprise, as defined in the Law, which is located in the center of Israel will be subject to tax at a rate of 12% on profits deriving from intellectual property (in development area A - a tax rate of 7.5%).
Special technological preferred enterprise - an enterprise whose total consolidated revenues (parent company and all subsidiaries) exceeds NIS 10 billion. Such enterprise will be subject to tax at a rate of 6% on profits deriving from intellectual property, regardless of the enterprise’s geographical location.
Any dividends distributed to “foreign companies”, as defined in the Law, deriving from income from the technological enterprises will be subject to tax at a rate of 4%.
Economic Efficiency Law (legislative amendments for the purpose of achieving the objectives of the 2020-2021 budget)- 2021
On November 2, 2021 the Economic Efficiency Law (legislative amendments for the purpose of achieving the objectives of the 2020-2021 budget) - 2021 ("2021 Budget law") was legislated.
The 2021 Budget Law introduces a new dividend ordering rule that apportions every dividend between previously tax-exempt (“Trapped Earnings”) and previously taxed income. Consequently, distributions (including deemed distributions as per Section 51(h) and 51B of the Law) may entail additional corporate tax liability to the distributing company. We had approximately $169 million tax-exempt profits in our Accumulated deficit. If such tax-exempt profits were distributed, it would have been taxed at the reduced corporate tax rate applicable to such income, and approximately $31 million of additional taxes on income would have been recorded.
In parallel, the 2021 Budget Law also includes a temporary order to enhance the release of Trapped Earnings by reducing the claw-back income tax rate that is applicable upon such a release or distribution by up to 60%, but not less than 6% income tax rate, during a one-year period beginning November 15, 2021.
In 2022, we elected to take advantage of the temporary order to release all our Trapped Earnings and recognized a one-time expense of $13 million, which is presented under “Taxes on income” in the consolidated statement of income (loss).
Israeli Transfer Pricing Regulations
Israeli transfer pricing legislation generally provides that all cross-border transactions carried out between related parties be conducted on an arm’s length basis and be taxed accordingly. The transfer pricing regulations are not expected to have a material effect on our company.
United States Federal Income Taxation
The following is a general discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares. This discussion addresses only the U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to U.S. Holders (as defined below) who hold our ordinary shares as capital assets. This summary is based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, and the U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty, or the Treaty, all as in effect on the date hereof and all of which are subject to change either prospectively or retroactively or to differing interpretations. There can be no assurance that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, will not take a different position concerning the tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares or that such a position would not be sustained. This discussion does not address all tax considerations that may be relevant with respect to an investment in our ordinary shares. In addition, this description does not account for the specific circumstances of any particular investor, such as:
| • | financial institutions or financial services entities; |
| • | certain insurance companies; |
| • | investors liable for alternative minimum tax; |
| • | regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, or grantor trusts; |
| • | dealers or traders in securities, commodities or currencies; |
| • | tax-exempt organizations; |
| • | certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States; |
| • | non-resident aliens of the United States or taxpayers whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; |
| • | persons who hold ordinary shares through partnerships or other pass-through entities;
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| • | persons who acquire their ordinary shares through the exercise or cancellation of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation for services;
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| • | direct, indirect or constructive owners of investors that actually or constructively own at least 10% of the total combined voting power of our shares or at least 10% of our shares by value; or |
| • | investors holding ordinary shares as part of a straddle, appreciated financial position, a hedging transaction or conversion transaction. |
If a partnership or an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes owns our ordinary shares, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in such a partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A partnership that owns our ordinary shares and the partners in such partnership should consult their tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding and disposing of ordinary shares.
This summary does not address the effect of any U.S. federal taxation (such as estate and gift tax) other than U.S. federal income taxation. In addition, this summary does not include any discussion of state, local or non-U.S. taxation.
For purposes of this summary, as used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a person that is eligible for the benefits of the Treaty and is a beneficial owner of an ordinary share. This generally includes:
| • | an individual who is a citizen or a resident (for U.S. federal income tax purposes) of the United States; |
| • | a corporation or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof or the District of Columbia; |
| • | an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
| • | a trust resident in the United States, to the extent such trust's income is subject to US tax as the income of a resident. |
Unless otherwise indicated, it is assumed for the purposes of this discussion that the Company is not, and will not become, a “passive foreign investment company,” or a PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See “—Passive Foreign Investment Companies” below.
Taxation of Distributions
Subject to the discussion below under the heading “Passive Foreign Investment Companies,” the gross amount of any distributions received with respect to our ordinary shares, including the amount of any Israeli taxes withheld therefrom, will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes when such distribution is actually or constructively received, to the extent such distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Because we do not expect to maintain calculations of our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles, it is expected that the entire amount of any distribution will generally be reported as dividend income to you. Dividends are included in gross income as ordinary income unless such dividends meet the requirements of "qualified dividend income" as set forth in more detail below. Distributions in excess of our current or accumulated earnings and profits would be treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of your adjusted tax basis in our ordinary shares and any amount in excess of your tax basis would be treated as gain from the sale of ordinary shares. See “Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Ordinary Shares” below for a discussion of the taxation of capital gains. Our dividends would not qualify for the dividends-received deduction generally available to corporations under section 243 of the Code.
Dividends that we pay in NIS, including the amount of any Israeli taxes withheld therefrom, will be included in your income in a U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the day such dividends are received, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. A U.S. Holder who receives payment in NIS and converts NIS into U.S. dollars at an exchange rate other than the rate in effect on such day may have a foreign currency exchange gain or loss that would generally be treated as U.S.-source ordinary income or loss. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors concerning the U.S. tax consequences of acquiring, holding and disposing of NIS.
Subject to complex limitations, some of which vary depending upon the U.S. Holder’s circumstances, any Israeli withholding tax imposed on dividends paid with respect to our ordinary shares, may be a foreign income tax eligible for credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability (or, alternatively, for deduction against income in determining such tax liability). Israeli taxes withheld in excess of the applicable rate allowed by the Treaty (if any) will not be eligible for credit against a U.S. Holder’s federal income tax liability. The limitation on foreign income taxes eligible for credit is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income. Dividends paid with respect to our common stock generally will be treated as foreign-source passive category income or, in the case of certain U.S. Holders, general category income for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. Further, there are special rules for computing the foreign tax credit limitation of a taxpayer who receives dividends subject to a reduced tax rate. A U.S. Holder may be denied a foreign tax credit with respect to Israeli income tax withheld from dividends received on our ordinary shares if such U.S. Holder fails to satisfy certain minimum holding period requirements or to the extent such U.S. Holder’s position in ordinary shares is hedged. An election to deduct foreign taxes instead of claiming foreign tax credit applies to all foreign taxes paid or accrued in the taxable year. The rules relating to the determination of the foreign tax credit are complex, and you should consult with your own tax advisors to determine whether and to what extent you would be entitled to this credit.
Subject to certain limitations (possibly including the PFIC rules discussed below), “qualified dividend income” received by a non-corporate U.S. Holder may be subject to tax at the lower long-term capital gain rates (currently, a maximum rate of 20%). Distributions taxable as dividends paid on our ordinary shares should qualify for a reduced rate if we are a “qualified foreign corporation,” as defined in Code section 1(h)(11)(C). We will be a qualified foreign corporation if either: (i) we are entitled to benefits under the Treaty, or (ii) our ordinary shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States and certain other requirements are met. We believe that we are entitled to benefits under the Treaty and that our ordinary shares currently are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States (see discussion below). However, no assurance can be given that our ordinary shares will remain readily tradable. The rate reduction does not apply unless certain holding period requirements are satisfied, nor does it apply to dividends received from a PFIC (see discussion below), in respect of certain risk-reduction transactions, or in certain other situations. U.S. Holders of our ordinary shares should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect of these rules in their particular circumstances.
Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Ordinary Shares
Subject to the discussion of PFIC rules below, if you sell or otherwise dispose of our ordinary shares (other than with respect to certain non-recognition transactions), you will generally recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale or other disposition and your adjusted tax basis in our ordinary shares, in each case determined in U.S. dollars. Such gain or loss will generally be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held the ordinary shares for more than one year at the time of the sale or other disposition. Long-term capital gain realized by a non-corporate U.S. Holder is generally eligible for a preferential tax rate (currently at a maximum of 20%). In general, any gain that you recognize on the sale or other disposition of ordinary shares will be U.S.-source for purposes of the foreign tax credit limitation; losses will generally be allocated against U.S. source income. Deduction of capital losses is subject to certain limitations under the Code.
In the case of a cash basis U.S. Holder who receives NIS in connection with the sale or disposition of our ordinary shares, the amount realized will be based on the U.S. dollar value of the NIS received with respect to the ordinary shares as determined on the settlement date of such exchange. A cash basis U.S. Holder who receives payment in NIS and converts NIS into U.S. dollars at a conversion rate other than the rate in effect on the settlement date may have a foreign currency exchange gain or loss, based on any appreciation or depreciation in the value of the foreign currency against the U.S. dollar, which would be treated as U.S.-source ordinary income or loss.
An accrual basis U.S. Holder may elect the same treatment required of cash basis taxpayers with respect to a sale or disposition of our ordinary shares that are traded on an established securities market, provided that the election is applied consistently from year to year. Such election may not be changed without the consent of the IRS. In the event that an accrual basis U.S. Holder does not elect to be treated as a cash basis taxpayer (pursuant to the Treasury regulations applicable to foreign currency transactions), such U.S. Holder is required to calculate the value of the proceeds as of the "trade date" and may have a foreign currency gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in the event of any difference between the U.S. dollar value of NIS prevailing on the trade date and on the settlement date. Any such currency gain or loss generally would be treated as U.S.- source ordinary income or loss and would be subject to tax in addition to the gain or loss, if any, recognized by such U.S. Holder on the sale or disposition of such ordinary shares.
Passive Foreign Investment Companies
We believe that we were not a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for the taxable year of 2022. However, since PFIC status depends upon the composition of our income and assets and the market value of our assets from time to time, there can be no assurance that our analysis prevails or that we will not be considered a PFIC for any future taxable year. If we were a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder owned ordinary shares, certain adverse consequences could apply to the U.S. Holder. Specifically, unless a U.S. Holder makes one of the elections mentioned below, gain recognized by the U.S. Holder on a sale or other disposition of ordinary shares would be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares. The amounts allocated to the taxable year of the sale or other disposition and to any year before we became a PFIC would be taxed as ordinary income. The amount allocated to each other taxable year would be subject to tax at the highest rate in effect for individuals or corporations, as appropriate, for that taxable year, and an interest charge would be imposed on the resulting tax liability. Further, any distribution in excess of 125% of the average of the annual distributions received by the U.S. Holder on our ordinary shares during the preceding three years or the U.S. Holder’s holding period, whichever is shorter, would be subject to taxation as described immediately above. In addition, if we were a PFIC for a taxable year in which we pay a dividend or the immediately preceding taxable year, the preferential dividend rates discussed above with respect to dividends paid to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders would not apply. If we were a PFIC for any taxable year in which a U.S. Holder owned our shares, the U.S. Holder would generally be required to file annual returns with the IRS on IRS Form 8621.
If we are treated as a PFIC with respect to a U.S. Holder for any taxable year, such U.S. Holder will be deemed to own shares in any entities in which we own equity that are also PFICs (“lower tier PFICs”), and may be subject to the tax consequences described above with respect to the shares of such lower tier PFIC the U.S. Holder would be deemed to own.
i. Mark-to-market elections
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds ordinary shares, then in lieu of being subject to the tax and interest charge rules discussed above, such U.S. Holder may make an election to include gain on the ordinary shares as ordinary income under a mark-to-market method, provided that such ordinary shares are “marketable.” The ordinary shares will be marketable if they are “regularly traded” on a qualified exchange or other market, as defined in applicable U.S. Treasury regulations, such as the New York Stock Exchange (or on a foreign stock exchange that meets certain conditions). For these purposes, the ordinary shares will be considered regularly traded during any calendar year during which they are traded, other than in de minimis quantities, on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter. Any trades that have as their principal purpose meeting this requirement will be disregarded. However, because a mark-to-market election cannot be made for any lower tier PFICs that we may own, U.S. Holders will generally continue to be subject to the PFIC rules discussed above with respect to their indirect interest in any investments we own that are treated as an equity interest in a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, it is possible that any mark-to-market election with respect to the ordinary shares will be of limited benefit.
If a U.S. Holder makes an effective mark-to-market election, in each year that we are a PFIC, the U.S. Holder will include in ordinary income the excess of the fair market value of its ordinary shares at the end of the year over the adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares. U.S. Holder will be entitled to deduct as an ordinary loss in each such year the excess of its adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares over their fair market value at the end of the year, but only to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the mark-to-market election. If a U.S. Holder makes an effective mark-to-market election, in each year that we are a PFIC, any gain that it recognizes upon the sale or other disposition of its ordinary shares will be treated as ordinary income and any loss will be treated as ordinary loss, but only to the extent of the net amount of previously included income as a result of the mark-to-market election.
A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares will be increased by the amount of any income inclusion and decreased by the amount of any deductions under the mark-to-market rules discussed above. If a U.S. Holder makes an effective mark-to-market election, it will be effective for the taxable year for which the election is made and all subsequent taxable years unless the ordinary shares are no longer regularly traded on a qualified exchange or the IRS consents to the revocation of the election. U.S. Holders should consult with a tax advisor about the availability of the mark-to-market election, and whether making the election would be advisable in your particular circumstances.
ii. Qualified electing fund elections
In certain circumstances, a U.S. equity holder in a PFIC may avoid the adverse tax and interest charge regime described above by making a “qualified electing fund” election to include in income its share of the corporation’s income on a current basis. However, as U.S. Holder may make a qualified electing fund election with respect to the ordinary shares only if we agree to furnish U.S. Holders annually with a PFIC annual information statement as specified in the applicable U.S. Treasury regulations. We do not intend to provide the information necessary for U.S. Holders to make a qualified electing fund election if we are classified as a PFIC. Therefore, U.S. Holders should assume that they will not receive such information from us and would therefore be unable to make a qualified electing fund election with respect to any of our ordinary shares were we to be or become a PFIC.
Additional Tax on Investment Income
In addition to the income taxes described above, U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates or trusts and whose income exceeds certain thresholds may be subject to a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on net investment income, which includes dividends and capital gains from the sale or exchange of our ordinary shares.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
Payments in respect of our ordinary shares may be subject to information reporting to the IRS and to U.S. backup withholding tax at the rate (currently) of 24%. Backup withholding will not apply, however, if you (i) fall within certain exempt categories, and demonstrate the fact when so required, or (ii) furnish a correct taxpayer identification number and make any other required certification.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be credited against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. tax liability. A U.S. Holder may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by filing the appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.
U.S. citizens and individuals taxable as resident aliens of the United States that own “specified foreign financial assets” (as defined in Section 6038D of the Code and the regulations thereunder) with an aggregate value in a taxable year in excess of certain thresholds (as determined under rules in Treasury regulations) and that are required to file a U.S. federal income tax return generally will be required to file an information report with respect to those assets with their tax returns. IRS Form 8938 has been issued for that purpose. “Specified foreign financial assets” include any financial accounts maintained by foreign financial institutions, foreign stocks held directly, and interests in foreign estates, foreign pension plans or foreign deferred compensation plans. Under those rules, our ordinary shares, whether owned directly or through a financial institution, estate or pension or deferred compensation plan, would be “specified foreign financial assets.” Under Treasury regulations, the reporting obligation applies to certain U.S. entities that hold, directly or indirectly, specified foreign financial assets. Penalties can apply if there is a failure to satisfy this reporting obligation. In addition, in the event a U.S. Holder that is required to file IRS Form 8938 does not file such form, the statute of limitations on the assessment and collection of all or a part of the U.S. federal income taxes of such U.S. Holder for the related tax year may not close until three years after the date that the required information is filed. A U.S. Holder is urged to consult the U.S. Holder’s tax advisor regarding the reporting obligation.
Any U.S. Holder who acquires or holds 10% or more in vote or value of our ordinary shares may be subject to certain additional U.S. information reporting requirements.
The above description is not intended to constitute a complete analysis of all tax consequences relating to acquisition, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares. You should consult your tax advisor concerning the tax consequences of your particular situation.
| F. | Dividend and Paying Agents |
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
We are subject to certain of the reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, as applicable to “foreign private issuers” as defined in Rule 3b-4 under the Exchange Act. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from certain provisions of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, our proxy solicitations are not subject to the disclosure and procedural requirements of Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act, and transactions in our equity securities by our officers and directors are exempt from reporting and the “short-swing” profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act. However, we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission an annual report on Form 20-F containing financial statements audited by an independent accounting firm. We also submit to the Securities and Exchange Commission reports on Form 6-K containing (among other things) press releases and unaudited financial information. We post our annual report on Form 20-F on our website (http://www.gilat.com) promptly following the filing of our annual report with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this annual report.
The Securities and Exchange Commission maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding registrants that make electronic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission using its EDGAR (Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval) system.
The documents concerning our company that are referred to in this annual report may also be inspected at our offices located at Gilat House, 21 Yegia Kapayim Street, Kiryat Arye, Petah Tikva, 4913020 Israel.
Not applicable.
| ITEM 11: | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
Foreign Currency Risk
A significant portion of our revenues are generated in U.S. dollars or linked to the dollar. In addition, a substantial portion of our costs are incurred in U.S. dollars. We believe that the U.S. dollar is the primary currency of the economic environment in which our Company and certain of our subsidiaries operate. Thus, the functional and reporting currency of our Company and certain of our subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar.
Accordingly, monetary accounts maintained in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are remeasured into U.S. dollars in accordance with ASC 830, “Foreign Currency Matters” (“ASC 830”). All transaction gains and losses of the remeasurement of monetary consolidated balance sheets items are reflected in the consolidated statements of income (loss) as financial income or expenses, as appropriate.
The financial statements of some of our foreign subsidiaries, whose functional currency has been determined to be their local currency, have been translated into U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities have been translated using the exchange rates in effect at the consolidated balance sheets date. Consolidated statements of income (loss) amounts have been translated using specific rates. The resulting translation adjustments are reported as a component of shareholders' equity in accumulated other comprehensive income.
While a significant portion of our revenues and expenses are generated in U.S. dollars, a portion of our expenses are denominated in NIS, and to a lesser extent, other non-U.S. dollar currencies which lead us to be exposed to financial market risk associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates. In order to reduce the impact of foreign currency rate volatility of future cash flows caused by changes in foreign exchange rates, in some cases we use currency hedging contracts. If our currency hedging contracts meet the definition of a cash flow hedge as defined by ASC 815, "Derivatives and Hedging", Gains and losses on the derivatives instruments that are designated and qualify as a cash flow hedge are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified into earnings in the same period in which the designated forecasted transaction or hedged item materialized. Our hedging reduces, but does not eliminate, the impact of foreign currency rate movements, and due to such movements, the results of our operations may be adversely affected.
The following sensitivity analysis illustrates the impact on our non-dollar net monetary assets assuming an instantaneous 10% change in foreign currency exchange rates from year-end levels, with all other variables held constant. At December 31, 2022, a 10% strengthening of the U.S. dollar versus other currencies would have resulted in a decrease of approximately $1.6 million in our net monetary assets, while a 10% weakening of the dollar versus all other currencies would have resulted in an increase of approximately $1.9 million in our net monetary assets.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, we recognized a loss of $2.2 million related to the effective portion of our hedging instruments. The effective portion of the hedged instruments was included as an offset or addition to payroll expenses in the statement of operations.
During the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 the ineffective portion of the hedged portion was immaterial.
As of December 31, 2022, we had no outstanding hedging contracts that did not meet the requirement for hedge accounting.
| ITEM 12: | DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES |
Not applicable.
PART II
| ITEM 13: | DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES |
None
| ITEM 14: | MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 15: | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of December 31, 2022, have concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over our financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by the company’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:
| • | Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transaction and dispositions of the assets of the company; |
| • | Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and |
| • | Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use of disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. |
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness for future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, as of December 31, 2021. Based on this evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2021, due to material weaknesses identified in our internal controls over financial reporting as described below.
In the course of preparing our consolidated financial statements in for the year ended December 31, 2021, we identified material weaknesses which have not been remedied in our internal control over financial reporting, as defined in the standards established by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board of the United States. The material weaknesses that were identified were in the design and implementation of our internal controls over the revenue recognition process of our subsidiary in Peru relating to its complex projects, as follows:
1. inappropriate control over the accounting implementation due to inaccurate interpretation of ASC 606, "Revenues from contracts with customers" which was adopted in 2018; and
2. inappropriate control over the level of documented evidence when performing management review control over management estimates of costs.
To remediate our identified material weaknesses, we developed a remediation plan which included the following measures to improve our internal control over financial reporting: (i) maintaining, at the group level, a revenue recognition policy, for large-scale projects in Peru, addressing accounting requirements for revenue recognition in compliance with ASC 606; (ii) monitoring revenue recognition on a regular basis in order to ensure that accounting treatment of all new material contracts in Peru will meet the revenue policy requirements; (iii) in case of a very complex material contract, we will consult with accounting experts to determine the appropriate accounting treatment and to ensure compliance with ASC 606; (iv) conduct revenue recognition training for the Peruvian and the relevant headquarters teams at least annually; (v) review of the revenue recognition policy by the Company’s senior financial management on an annual basis to ensure that the policy is updated from time to time as necessary to properly reflect newly adopted accounting requirements; (vi) review by the Company’s senior finance management of new material projects and relevant accounting issues on an ad-hoc basis; (vii) review by management of the Peruvian subsidiary, at least twice a year, of the main accounting estimates and assumptions and ensure they are sufficiently supported by appropriate documentation and evidence; and (viii) when required, engage experts to assist with the determination of such estimates and assumptions. This remediation plan was fully implemented by us in the year ended December 31, 2022, and the new controls were found effective.
Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, as of December 31, 2022. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on that assessment, our management concluded that as of December 31, 2022, our internal control over financial reporting is effective.
The effectiveness of management’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022 has been audited by our company’s independent registered public accountants, Kost Forer Gabbay & Kasierer, a member of Ernst & Young Global, and is described in its report on page F-2 of this Form 20-F.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Except for the changes made in connection with our implementation of the remediation plan discussed above, during the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 20-F, there have been no significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting have occurred that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
| ITEM 16A: | AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT |
Our Board of Directors has determined that each of Mr. Shafran and Mr. Shkedy meets the definition of an audit committee financial expert as defined by rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our Board also determined that each of Mr. Shafran and Mr. Shkedy is independent under the requirements of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules. For a brief listing of Mr. Shafran and Mr. Shkedy’s relevant experience, see Item 6.A. “Directors, Senior Management and Employees - Directors and Senior Management.”
We have adopted a Code of Ethics for executive and financial officers that also applies to all of our employees. The Code of Ethics is publicly available on our website at www.gilat.com. Written copies are available upon request. If we make any substantive amendments to the Code of Ethics or grant any waivers, including any implicit waiver, from a provision of this code to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer or corporate controller, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on our website. Our Code of Ethics includes a whistleblower policy which provides an anonymous means for employees to communicate with various bodies within our company, including our Audit Committee.
ITEM 16C: PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Fees Billed or Expected to be Billed by Independent Auditors
The following table sets forth, for each of the years indicated, the fees billed or expected to be billed to us by our independent auditors and the percentage of each of the fees out of the total amount billed or expected to be billed by the auditors.
| | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
| Services Rendered | | Fees (in thousands) | | | Percentages | | | Fees (in thousands) | | | Percentages | |
Audit fees (1) | | $ | 906 | | | | 81 | % | | $ | 570 | | | | 77.6 | % |
Tax fees (2) | | $ | 68 | | | | 6 | % | | $ | 99 | | | | 13.5 | % |
| Other (3) | | $ | 140 | | | | 13 | % | | $ | 65 | | | | 8.9 | % |
| Total | | $ | 1,114 | | | | 100 | % | | $ | 734 | | | | 100 | % |
| (1) | Audit fees include fees associated with the annual audit, services provided in connection with audit of our internal control over financial reporting and audit services provided in connection with other statutory or regulatory filings. The fees for 2022 include one-time fees of $235 thousand with respect to 2021 audit overrun. |
| (2) | Tax fees are fees for professional services rendered by our auditors for tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice on actual or contemplated transactions. |
| (3) | Other fees are fees for professional services other than audit or tax related fees, rendered in connection with our business activities. |
Policies and Procedures
Our Audit Committee has adopted a policy and procedures for the approval of all audit and non-audit services rendered by our principal accountants, Kost Forer Gabbay & Kasierer, a Member of Ernst & Young Global and other members of Ernst & Young Global. The policy generally requires the Audit Committee’s approval of the scope of the engagement of our principal accountants or on an individual engagement basis.
| ITEM 16D. | EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 16E: | PURCHASE OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS |
In the year ended December 31, 2022, neither we nor any affiliated purchaser purchased any of our securities.
| ITEM 16F: | CHANGES IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT |
None.
| ITEM 16G. | CORPORATE GOVERNANCE |
Under NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5615(a)(3) or Rule 5615(a)(3), foreign private issuers, such as our company, are permitted to follow certain home country corporate governance practices in lieu of certain requirements of Listing Rule 5600 Series, with the exception of those rules which are required to be followed pursuant to the provisions of Listing Rule 5615(a)(3).
We have elected to follow Israeli law and practice instead of the requirements of Listing Rule 5600 Series, as described below:
| • | The requirement to obtain shareholder approval for the establishment or material amendment of certain equity-based compensation plans and arrangements, under which shares may be acquired by officers, directors, employees or consultants. Under Israeli law and practice, the approval of the board of directors is required for the establishment or material amendment of such equity-based compensation plans and arrangements. However, any equity based compensation arrangement with a director or the Chief Executive Officer or the material amendment of such an arrangement must be approved by our Compensation Committee, Board of Directors and shareholders, in that order. |
| • | The requirements regarding the director nominations process. We do not have a nomination committee. Under Israeli law and practice, our Board of Directors is authorized to recommend to our shareholders director nominees for election, and certain of our shareholders may nominate candidates for election as directors by the general meeting of shareholders. |
| ITEM 16H. | MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 16I. | DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS |
Not applicable.
PART III
| ITEM 17: | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 18: | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
The financial statements required by this item are found at the end of this annual report, beginning on page F-1.
| 1.1 | Memorandum of Association, as amended. Previously filed as Exhibit 1.1 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2000, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference. |
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| 101.INS | Inline XBRL Instance Document *. |
| 101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. |
| 101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document. |
| 101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document. |
| 101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document. |
| 101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. |
| 104 | Cover page formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101 |
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| * | Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections. |
S I G N A T U R E S
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
