November 20, 1997: 1997 Year End Financial Results 
  Posts Record Revenues and Backlog. Calian Technology Ltd. reported that revenues for the year ended September 30, 1997 were $60.1 Million representing an increase of $12.7 Million or 26.9 percent over last year. Revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 1997 were $14.7 Million representing an increase of $2.6 Million or 21.5 percent over the fourth quarter of fiscal 1996 . Net earnings for the quarter were $326,000 representing $.04 per share. As a result of the Company's decision to restructure its operations and spin-off its mobile satellite communications products business which was announced July 29, 1997, a $3.8 Million or $.43 per share loss was posted for the year compared to 1996 net earnings of $1.3 Million or $.15 per share. The loss results from a $1.15 Million restructuring charge and a $4.0 Million one-time write-off of discontinued operations.
  Larry O'Brien, Chairman and CEO of Calian Technology Ltd. commented "Despite exiting the products business and incurring significant one-time charges, we have posted record revenues for Calian returning our revenues to their 1995 levels and surpassing them by more than $1.5 Million. Calian's resources have been focussed on technology services, a business segment that has demonstrated growth, profitability, and value creation within Calian and a business segment that is poised for continued growth."
  "The Company finished the year with a firm backlog of $50.4 Million and a further optional backlog of $32.7 Million for a total potential backlog of $83.1 Million. Contract signings for the Company, inclusive of contract option years, amounted to approximately $85 Million. This was a record year for contract signings."
  "Also, I am delighted to announce that Ed Lambert was promoted to the position of President and C.O.O. so that there will be a clear focus on technology services. Under our old structure, Ed was responsible for the Technical Services group, a group that posted revenues of $26.9 Million this year representing an increase of $14.9 Million over last year. The Company looks forward to continuing this positive trend."
  "We have also restructured our financial statements so that they may be more easily understood. The gross profit was 18 percent for this year, which is consistent with the previous year after reclassification of the discontinued operations. Earnings before interest, taxes and other non-recurring items was $2 Million this year compared to $1.5 Million of the previous year, representing an increase of 33 percent."
  "During the year, the Company acquired Pricon Staffing Services Inc. which provided us with the opportunity to expand our services offerings to include both the private and public sector. We also acquired HST Group Ltd. which will provide us with high level management and information technology consulting services, a natural extension to the services Calian already offered. To date, both of these acquisitions have been highly successful and we look forward to continued growth within the business areas represented by each."
  "As a result of investments made in the acquisition of PriCon Staffing Services Inc. and HST Group Ltd. as well as investments in capital assets and repurchases of common shares through the normal course issuer bid facilities of The Toronto Stock Exchange the Company's cash position has been reduced by $3.9 Million to $5.5 Million this year."
  "Calian's success is dependent on our staff. By year-end, our employee base had grown to 925, an increase of 430 people over last year. Most of these additions have been in direct labour; we have reduced our indirect workforce from 16 percent to 11 percent over the year. The average employee count was 740 for the year, reflecting the significant growth as a result of our acquisitions. Calian is well positioned in the technology services market with a resource base as large and as capable as we have."
  "After a period of restructuring and a more intense focus on technology services, we believe that we have emerged as a stronger company. We will continue to focus on building the segments of our business with not only the greatest earnings potential, but, those that will build true long term shareholder value."
       Consolidated financial statements follow. //st    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND RETAINED EARNINGS             Years ended September 30, 1997 and 1996          (dollars in thousands except per share data)                          1997            1996
  Revenues                 $ 60,132       $ 47,385 Cost of revenues           49,219         38,640
  Gross profit               10,913          8,745 Selling and marketing       1,755          1,017 General and administration  3,797          2,909 Facilities                  1,888          1,998 Amortization                1,440          1,317 Restructuring charges       1,150            - Prior years investment tax credits                      -             (726) Earnings before interest   and taxes                   883          2,230 Interest income               203            600
  Earnings before taxes       1,086          2,830 Income taxes                    8            736 Earnings from continuing   operations                1,078          2,094 Discontinued operations     4,889            799
  NET EARNINGS (LOSS)       (3,811)          1,295      Retained earnings,   beginning of year        13,086         11,839 Excess of purchase price  over stated capital on   repurchase of shares      (300)           (48) Retained earnings, end   of year                $  8,975       $ 13,086
       Earnings (loss) per share:  Continuing operations $   0.12        $   0.23
   Basic                $  (0.43)        $   0.15
       Weighted average number of shares     Basic              8,841,836      8,926,128
                    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS                As At September 30, 1997 and 1996                     (dollars in thousands)                          1997          1996
       CURRENT ASSETS Cash and short-term   investments          $  5,503      $   9,411 Accounts receivable      11,073          6,028 Unbilled accounts   receivable              7,943          9,554 Inventory                   -            1,184 Prepaid expenses and  other                    1,132            529                          25,651         26,706 GOODWILL                  2,323          1,033 CAPITAL ASSETS            4,792          4,932 DEFERRED DEVELOPMENT COSTS  -            1,003                        $ 32,766       $ 33,674      CURRENT LIABILITIES  Accounts payable and    accrued liabilities $  7,758       $  5,883 liabilities  Unearned contract     revenue               1,619            248 Current portion of     long-term debt          221            205                           9,598          6,336 LONG-TERM DEBT              386            425                           9,984          6,761      CONTINGENCIES      SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY  Share capital          13,807         13,827  Retained earnings       8,975         13,086                         22,782         26,913
                        $ 32,766       $ 33,674
     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN FINANCIAL POSITION             Years ended September 30, 1997 and 1996                     (dollars in thousands)                         1997          1996
       NET INFLOW (OUTFLOW) OF CASH RELATED TO THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES      OPERATING Net earnings (loss)  $ (3,811)      $  1,295      Item not affecting cash  Amortization            1,440         1,317       Proceeds from sale of    capital assets           16            -  Discontinued operations 1,825           82
                           (530)        2,694      Change in non-cash operating  working capital items     295      (1,684)
                           (235)        1,010
       FINANCING Reduction of long-term    debt                  (225)        (166) Proceeds on issuance of  common shares            -             253      Repurchase of common    shares                (320)         (81)
                           (545)            6
       INVESTING      Acquisition of capital    assets                (847)      (1,890) Business acquisitions  (2,229)         -      Development costs    deferred               (52)      (1,085)
                         (3,128)      (2,975)
  NET CASH OUTFLOW          3,908       1,959      CASH POSITION, BEGINNING   OF YEAR                9,411      11,370
       CASH POSITION, END   OF YEAR             $  5,503    $  9,411 //et
  TEL: (613) 599-8600 Shaun McEwan
  Calian Technology Ltd. E-Mail: mcewan@calian.ca Internet: www.calian.ca |