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BATM Advanced Technologies
Annual Report 2019

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FY2019 Annual Report · BATM Advanced Technologies
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ANNUAL REPORT 
AND ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
31 DECEMBER 2019

CONTENTS

Directors, Secretary & Advisers 

Financial & Operational Summary 

Strategic Report

Chairman’s Statement 

Chief Executive Officer’s Review 

Chief Financial Officer’s Review 

Corporate Strategy 

Principal Risks and Uncertainties 

Stakeholder Engagements 

Conducting Business Responsibly 

Corporate Governance

Directors’ Biographies 

Directors’ Report 

Corporate Governance Report 

Directors’ Remuneration Report 

Financial Statements

Independent Auditor’s Report 

Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income 

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position 

Consolidated Statements of Change in Equity 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

1
2

4
6
9
11
13 
14  
20

23
25
28
35

50
55
56
57
58
59
60

DIRECTORS, SECRETARY & ADVISERS 

Directors
Dr. Gideon Chitayat – Non-Executive Chairman
Dr. Zvi Marom – Founder & CEO
Moti Nagar – Executive Director & CFO
Harel Locker – Non-Executive Director & Senior Independent Director
Prof. Ari Shamiss – Non-Executive Director
Prof. Varda Shalev – Non-Executive Director

Registered Office
P.O.B. 7318, Neve Ne’eman Ind. Area, 4 Ha’harash Street, 4524075 Hod Hasharon, Israel

Company Number
520042813 – Registered in Israel

Auditors
Brightman Almagor Zohar & Co.
Certified Public Accountants
A Firm in the Deloitte Global Network, 1 Azriely Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel

Financial Adviser & Stockbroker 
Shore Capital, Cassini House, 57 St James's Street, London SW1A 1LD, UK

Legal Counsel in Israel
Lipa Meir & Co., Beit Amot Hashkaot, 2 Weitzman Street, Tel-Aviv 64239, Israel

Legal Counsel in UK
Fladgate LLP, 16 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5DG, UK

Bankers
Bank Hapoalim, 4 Hatzoran, Netanya, Israel 
Bank Leumi, 7 Menahem Begin Street, Ramat-Gan, Israel

Company Secretary
Mr. Arthur Moher, Lipa Meir & Co.

Registrar
Link Asset Services, The Registry, 65 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7NQ, UK

Financial PR Consultants
Luther Pendragon, 48 Gracechurch Street, London EC3V 0EJ, UK

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT &  ACCOUNTS 2019   1

FINANCIAL & OPERATIONAL SUMMARY

Group revenue 
increased to
$123.4m
(2018: $119.6m)

Adj. operating  
profit* of 
$5.3m
(2018: $2.6m)

Cash and 
financial assets of 
$44.8m
(31 Dec 2018: 
$24.4m)

Gross profit of
$33.1m
(2018: $34.5m)

EBITDA* of 
$9.8m 
(2018: $4.9m)

Earnings per 
share of
0.93¢ 
(2018: 0.09¢)

Gross margin of 
26.9%
(2018: 28.8%)

Cash from 
operating 
activities of
$7.2m
(2018: $2.6m)

*  This report includes Other Alternative Measures. For a reconciliation of these measure to the IFRS please refer to page12

Bio-Medical Division (52% of total revenue)

•  Revenue increased to $64.4m (2018: $62.1m)

•  Adj. blended gross margin* of 23.8% (2018: 25.0%)

•  Diagnostics Unit

  ■   Signed conditional investment agreement for up to $30m, with first instalment of $14.5m received during the year, 

into Ador Diagnostics (“Ador”) and, post period, received first commercial order for Ador’s NATlab solution

Bio-Medical Division (52% of total revenue) continued

  ■   Awarded $4m contract for agri-waste treatment solution in Taiwan by agri-food conglomerate and, post period, 
received  a  contract  from  a  major  poultry  processor  in  the  Middle  East  –  representing  further  geographic 
expansion of the customer base

  ■   Post period, received c. $31m order from a European government for the delivery of 1,000 critical care ventilators 

in response to COVID-19

 Distribution Unit

  ■   Doubled the number of NIPT (pre-natal diagnostics) tests provided by the Group’s genetic laboratory in Eastern 

Europe

  ■   Strong growth in provision of cancer diagnostics tests in Israel, and received regulatory approval to offer further 

molecular genetics tests with sales commencing during the year 

Networking and Cyber Division (48% of total revenue)

• 

• 

 Revenue increased to $59.0m (2018: $57.5m)

 Adj. blended gross margin* of 30.9% (2018: 33.6%)

 Networking Unit

• 
  ■   Completed delivery under partnership with Arm to expand the Group’s NFVTime ecosystem optimised for Arm 
infrastructure  and  entered  proof-of-concept  with  Tier  1  network  operator  –  with  negotiations  underway  with 
several others 

  ■   Commenced revenue generation from sales of the Group’s NFV products 

  ■   Developed new technology to enable significant increase in network traffic when licensing NFVTime on Arm-

based NXP Semiconductors (“NXP”) processors 

  ■   Introduced TM-8104 – a new ultra-high capacity networking platform ready for hyper-cloud connectivity, 5G and 

Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) 

  ■   Commenced sales of the T-Marc R3305 series – BATM’s first solution for multiservice business routing 

 Cyber Unit

• 
  ■   Revenue in 2019 doubled over 2018 with delivery on previously-awarded contracts and new orders received 

during the year 

  ■   Received  orders  totalling  $9.1m  during  the  year,  including  first  order  for  a  combined  cyber  security  and 

networking solution 

  ■   Post  period,  awarded  a  $4m  cyber  security  contract  from  the  Group’s  long-standing  government  defence 

  ■   Increased sales of new highly-compact metabolism testing analyser, Hemo One 

department customer 

  ■   Sustained growth in sales of new molecular biology diagnostics Adaltis product line, and introduced new reagents

  ■   Post period, launched new COVID-19 diagnostics kit for medical facilities, which has received certification and 
production  and  sales  are  ramping  up.  Also  entered  a  collaboration  with  Novamed  Ltd,  an  Israeli  life  sciences 
company operating in the in-vitro rapid diagnostics market, for the joint development and marketing of a home-use 
testing kit for COVID-19

 Eco Med Unit

  ■   Commenced delivery on first agri-waste treatment contract outside of Israel with a major food manufacturing group 

in the Philippines, which is expected to be completed by the end of H1 2020 

* See table on page 12 - Key Performance Indicators

2   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT &  ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT &  ACCOUNTS 2019   3

 
STRATEGIC REPORT
CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

I  am  delighted  to  present  our  2019  Annual  Report,  which 
shows  how  we’ve  significantly  advanced  the  execution  of 
our strategy. We are proud of being a successful, growing 
business  and  of  the  important  contributions  we  make  to 
wider society. At a time of global uncertainty, we believe an 
important  role  of  business  is  to  seek  solutions  and  create 
opportunities.  By  growing  and  sustaining  a  financially-
strong and responsible business over the long-term, guided 
by a clear purpose, we can make a positive and significant 
impact  not  just  to  our  clients  and  our  people,  but  to  the 
economy and society.

SUCCESSFUL EXECUTION OF STRATEGY

We believe the strategy we adopted in both of our divisions is 
proving to be correct. In particular, the COVID-19 pandemic 
has demonstrated the value of our solutions that help with 

the containment of infectious disease outbreaks – namely, 
our  NATlab  diagnostic  system,  which  can  identify  human 
pathogens with unparalleled speed and accuracy, and our 
Eco-Med  products  for  pathogenic  waste  treatment.  At  the 
same time, the importance of secure, virtual networks has 
never been more apparent.

In  2019,  we  achieved  the  goals  that  we  set  for  ourselves 
for  the  year.  We  delivered  growth  in  revenue  to  $123.4m 
(2018:  $119.6m)  and  adjusted  operating  profit  was  $5.3m 
(2018: $2.6m). We saw meaningful progression in NFV and 
molecular diagnostics – our key future growth markets. We 
are also pleased with the solid commercial traction that we 
have established in our Eco-Med and Cyber businesses. We 
gained  new  customers  and  partners,  secured  new 
contracts,  expanded  into  new  territories  and  continued  to 
establish a leading position in our target markets. 

Right: NATlab system

STRATEGIC REPORT 

Nagar,  our  CFO;  and  our  Executive  Team  for  their  efforts. 
Many thanks to my Board colleagues for their considerable 
contribution.  We  all  appreciate  the  dedication,  skills  and 
professionalism of our employees all over the globe. Above 
all,  I  would  like  to  thank  our  loyal  shareholders  for  their 
ongoing support. 

I have served on the Board for almost ten years, five of those 
as Chairman, and BATM has progressively delivered on its 
strategy in that time. While it hasn’t been without challenges, 
we are now in the strongest position that I have seen, which 
is  also  reflected  in  the  share  price  having  increased  over 
200%  in  that  time.  We  all  are  committed  to  continuing  to 
create  substantial  value  for  our  shareholders,  and  I  look 
forward to reporting on our progress.

Dr. Gideon Chitayat
Chairman
30 April 2020

CONDUCTING BUSINESS RESPONSIBLY

As  noted,  providing  solutions  that  benefit  society  is  an 
important element of BATM’s strategy. The Board is pleased 
with  the  progress  achieved  during  2019.  A  highlight  was 
the  increasing  recognition  within  international  markets  of 
our  agri-waste  treatment  solution  that  provides  the  poultry 
industry with significant environmental and safety benefits. 
We also strengthened our governance of these matters with 
the establishment of a Corporate Social Responsibility and 
Environment Committee of the Board.

I  am  excited  by,  and  proud  of,  the  work  that  BATM  is 
undertaking  to  address  urgent  human  medical  issues. 
Clearly, an important example is BATM’s current contribution 
in  two  key  areas  to  support  the  worldwide  response  to 
the  COVID-19  crisis.  Firstly,  through  the  development  of 
molecular  diagnostics  kit  for  medical  facility  and  home 
testing  use.  Secondly,  through  the  manufacture  of  critical 
care ventilators. 

I  am  confident  that  BATM  is  well  positioned  to  meet  the 
challenges  of  2020  and  generating  sustainable  long-term 
growth across the Bio-Medical and the Networking & Cyber 
divisions, which should in turn drive shareholder returns. We 
will continue to oversee performance of all our businesses 
closely,  ensuring  that  the  Group  executes  its  strategy  with 
financial discipline and with integrity.

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT 

Regular  engagement,  dialogue  with  and  feedback  from 
BATM’s  material  internal  and  external  stakeholders  are 
important  to  our  success  and  a  core  element  of  our 
business model. Understanding stakeholders’ views informs 
and assists our decision-making processes and helps drive 
progress  towards  the  achievement  of  our  aims,  objectives 
and  strategy.  In  keeping  with  the  requirements  of  Section 
172  (1)  of  the  UK  Companies  Act  2006,  pages  14  to  19 
record BATM’s key stakeholder groups, their material issues 
and  how  we  engage  with  them.  Each  stakeholder  group 
requires a tailored engagement approach to foster effective 
communication and mutually beneficial relationships. 

Finally, I would like to thank Dr. Zvi Marom, our CEO; Mr. Moti 

4   BATM  l  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  l  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   5

CHIEF EXECUTIVE 
OFFICER’S REVIEW

I  am  pleased  to  report  another  good  year  for  BATM  as  we 
delivered  increased  sales  and  profit  in  both  of  our  divisions 
along  with  strong  cash  generation.  This  reflects  a  great 
performance in the second half, with revenues 20% higher than 
H1 2019, and a particularly robust fourth quarter. 

We achieved a number of operational milestones in 2019 that 
significantly advanced the execution on our strategy in areas 
that  we  have  identified  as  growth  markets.  In  particular,  in 
Network Function Virtualisation (“NFV”), we completed delivery 
under  our  agreement  with  Arm  and  in  molecular  biology 
diagnostics,  we  made  strong  progress  in  the  development 
of  our  NATlab  solution  under  Ador  –  both  of  which  are  now 
positioned for commercialisation. 

During the year, we also established good momentum with our 
Cyber and Eco-Med activities – with both units receiving several 
high-value contracts and expanding their customer base.

Now to look at each division in more detail.

Bio-Medical Division
Distribution 
Revenues  for  the  Distribution  unit  increased  by  4.5%  and 
accounted for 81.3% (2018: 80.7%) of the Bio-Medical division’s 
revenue in 2019.

In  Israel,  our  Zer  Laboratories  subsidiary  achieved  strong 
growth  in  sales  of  pre-natal  diagnostic  tests.  We  received 
regulatory  approval  for  Zer  Laboratories  to  be  able  to  offer 
further  pre-natal  genetics  screening  tests,  becoming  one  of 
only  two  private  laboratories  in  Israel  able  to  provide  these 
tests,  with  sales  commencing  during  the  year.  During  2019, 
there was also an increase in the provision of the new genetics 
screening  tests  for  the  Israeli  market  that  we  introduced 
following  investment  to  expand  the  local  laboratory  to  install 
the required technology last year. In addition, Pro-Genetics, in 
which we hold 49% through Zer Laboratories, achieved good 
growth in the distribution of cancer diagnostics tests.

Following  the  introduction  of  Non-Invasive  Prenatal  Testing 
(NIPT) diagnostics tests at our genetics laboratory in Eastern 
Europe last year, we doubled the sales of such tests in 2019 
compared with 2018.

Eco-Med 
The  Eco-Med  unit  accounted  for  approximately  10.1%  of 
the  Bio-Medical  division’s  revenues  in  2019  compared  with 
8.7% in 2018, which reflects an increase in revenue of 21.1%. 
The  majority  of  the  growth  was  due  to  the  completion  of  the 
installation of our agri-waste treatment solution, which is based 
on its Integrated Sterilizer and Shredder patented technology 

6   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT &  ACCOUNTS 2019

(“ISS”),  at  a  bovine  slaughterhouse  under  a  previously-won 
contract. 

We also made significant progress in winning new customers 
for  our  agri-waste  treatment  solution,  including  introducing 
the  product  to  new  geographies.  The  first  international 
contract, worth approximately $1.5m and with delivery having 
commenced in 2019, was with a poultry processing facility in 
the Philippines.

An important customer win was achieved with the award of a 
$4m contract by a Taiwanese agri-food conglomerate, whose 
business activities span the agri-food supply chain in Taiwan, 
mainland China and elsewhere in Asia. The contract, which is 
expected to be delivered by the end of 2020, is for three units 
of  our  agri-waste  treatment  solution  for  two  separate  poultry 
processing facilities. This solution will be used in the rendering 
process  to  allow  the  safe  treatment  of  poultry  remains  to 
generate valuable proteins that can be used for the production 
of animal nutrition.

Post period, we received our third international contract for our 
agri-waste  treatment  solution,  which  is  worth  approximately 
$1.3m and is expected to be delivered in 2020. The customer 
is  a  major  poultry  integrator  that  produces,  processes, 
markets and distributes high quality fresh and frozen chicken 
to customers throughout the Middle East, where it is based – 
representing  further  geographic  expansion  of  the  customer 
base for this solution – as well as to several countries in Asia. 

We were also delighted that, post period, we received a €29m 
(c. $31m) order from a European government to deliver 1,000 
ventilators in the coming months to help with the fight against 
COVID-19. This ventilator, which is being manufactured by our 
Celitron subsidiary in Hungary, is a high-performance ventilator 
for ICU environments. It has already received CE certification 
with further certifications pending.

Diagnostics 
The  Diagnostics  unit  represented  approximately  8.6%  of  Bio-
Medical  division  revenues  in  2019  (2018:  10.6%).  As  stated 
previously,  the  Diagnostics  unit  has  been  undergoing  a 
re-organisation, which is now almost complete, as it transitions 
from  ELISA  to  focus  on  molecular  biology  solutions  and 
products. This has resulted in a temporary reduction in sales, 
with 2019 being slightly lower than 2018. However, there was a 
return to growth in sales of the Diagnostics unit in the second 
half  of  the  year,  with  H2  2019  revenues  increasing  over  both 
H1 2019 and H2 2018 based on diagnostic instrument sales, 
with this momentum expected to continue in 2020. In addition, 
we continued to invest in our manufacturing facilities in Italy to 
increase the efficiency of the production process for systems 

STRATEGIC REPORT 

and  reagents,  which  is  expected  to  generate  substantial 
efficiencies in 2020.

will  deliver  the  new  NATlab  reader  and  cartridges  for  the 
identification of meningitis in the second half of 2020. 

During  the  year,  our  new  highly  compact  metabolism  testing 
analyser, the Hemo One, performed well with sales in multiple 
countries  across  Europe,  Asia  and  South  America.  We  also 
continued development work to be able to offer further panels 
and  cartridge-based  testing  for  this  instrument,  which  has 
been based on demand from medical offices as well as major 
clients.

Sales  increased  of  our  molecular  biology  diagnostics  Adaltis 
product  line  that  was  launched  at  the  end  of  2018,  including 
commencing  selling  in  Mexico  in  addition  to  Europe.  We 
also  extended  the  range  of  reagents  and  entered  into  new 
collaboration  agreements  with  significant  distributors  in  the 
molecular biology field in Italy and Mexico, which translated to 
initial sales in H2 2019 and is expected to ramp up from 2020. 

Post  period,  we  successfully  developed  a  new  diagnostics 
kit to detect the COVID-19 virus. This kit, which is part of the 
MOLgen  molecular  diagnostics  line  that  was  launched  at 
the  end  of  2018,  has  undergone  testing  by  several  central 
laboratories  and  hospitals  that  have  now  verified  its  ability  to 
diagnose COVID-19. The MOLgen COVID-19 kit is designed to 
be used with our diagnostic instruments, which offers benefits 
of  speed  and  accuracy,  but  it  can  also  be  used  with  some 
competing diagnostic instruments. Initial production of the kit 
has  commenced  at  our  Adaltis  facility,  and  we  are  working 
with  academic  and  research  institutions,  mainly  in  Europe,  to 
progress  the  kit  to  make  it  at  a  price  point  suitable  for  large-
scale  production.  The  kit,  which  supports  all  the  Centers  for 
Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, has already 
received interest from customers in several countries.

During the year, strong progress was made in advancing the 
NATlab  molecular  biology  solution  that  is  being  developed 
through  Ador,  which  has  undergone  extensive  lab  testing 
and partnerships have been established with several leading 
research 
institutions.  NATlab  provides  rapid  sample-to-
answer diagnosis of bacterial, viral or fungal infections, within 
approximately 15-90 minutes, using DNA sampling. The unique 
system is modular, compact and mobile, and is designed to be 
used at the point-of-care as well as in hospital labs. We believe 
that NATlab – which has been awarded over 40 global patents, 
including in Europe and the US, with more pending – will allow 
medical practitioners to provide far quicker and more efficient 
treatment.

An  important  milestone  was  the  signing  of  a  conditional 
agreement for an investment of up to $30m, and Ador received 
the initial instalment of $14.5m, to provide additional funds for 
the  commercialisation  of  NATlab.  The  second  instalment  of 
$15.5m is expected to be funded by the end of 2020, subject to 
certain milestones being achieved and we have made material 
progress towards meeting those milestones. 

Post period, Ador received its first commercial order for NATlab, 
which  was  from  the  leading  Italian  distributor  of  molecular 
biology  and  genomics  products.  Under  the  agreement,  Ador 

In addition, COVID-19 will be included within the Ador suite of 
testing kits as part of its travel panels. Laboratory bench tests 
are expected to commence imminently.

Networking and Cyber Division 
NFV solutions
Delivery was completed on our joint development agreement 
with Arm to develop our NFVTime operating system to enable 
an  ecosystem  of  Virtual  Network  Function  ("VNF")  services 
optimised  to  run  on  Arm’s  architecture.  NFVTime  enables  a 
significant  increase  in  throughput  compared  with  competing 
solutions.  We  have  been  working  with  Arm  to  conduct  joint 
marketing of the solution that enables carriers to deploy their 
own virtualised networks, which can also be a key element in 
allowing operators to leverage the benefits offered by 5G. 

Together with Arm, we entered into a proof-of-concept for the 
joint NFV solution with a Tier 1 network operator in 2019, which 
is expected to progress to field trials this year. Negotiations are 
also underway with several other network operators in the US 
and  Europe  to  undertake  proof-of-concept.  We  commenced 
receiving initial revenue from NFVTime sales during the year, 
which we expect to ramp as the projects with network operators 
progress.

Key  Arm-optimised  VNF  services  that  we  added  to  the 
ecosystem,  through  integration  with  our  NFVTime  uCPE 
solution, include Clavister’s virtualised cyber security platform 
and Fortinet’s VMware SD-WAN solution.

A  key  milestone  under  the  agreement  with  Arm  was  our 
development  of  a  new  technology  under  our  long-standing 
partnership  with  NXP  that  enables  a  significant  increase  in 
network  traffic,  without  requiring  an  increase  in  computing 
power. The new technology applies when licensing NFVTime 
on  NXP’s  Layerscape®  LS2088A  and  LS1088A  multicore 
processors,  which  are  built  on  Arm  core  technology.  The 
solution will enable more efficient and cost-effective customer 
premise networking, and support next-generation 5G/MEC use 
cases.

ICT and Carrier Ethernet solutions and services
The  growth  in  revenue  from  ICT  solutions  and  services 
was  based  on  increased  sales  with  both  existing  and  new 
customers.

We advanced our 5G strategy with the launch of a new ultra-
high  capacity  networking  platform  for  network  edge.  The 
T-Metro 8104, which is NFV ready, is the industry's first CE2.0 
compliant  service  aggregation  and  cloud  gateway  platform 
available at 1.2Tb capacity and it is designed to allow network 
operators  to  leverage  the  transformation  enabled  by  hyper-
cloud  connectivity,  5G  and  MEC.  It  has  a  modular  design 
that,  along  with  having  a  small  form  factor  and  the  ability  to 
be  installed  outside  a  telecom  cabinet,  allows  customers  to 
expand and add capacity and interfaces as required.  

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT &  ACCOUNTS 2019   7

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REVIEW CONTINUED

Also during the year, we introduced the T-Marc R3305 series, 
with sales commencing in the fourth quarter. The routers and 
integrated  access  devices  support  a  variety  of  enterprise-
grade  features  that  can  form  the  foundation  of  a  business’ 
entire  network.  This  new  product  represents  an  expansion 
of our offering into routing as part of its strategy to target the 
enterprise market.

Cyber
Our  cyber  security  business  made  excellent  progress,  with  a 
strong increase in revenue from previously awarded contracts 
and  receiving  new  orders  totalling  $9.1m  during  the  year,  of 
which $6.5m was delivered in H2 2019. 

We  were  awarded  two  further  contracts,  worth  an  aggregate 
of $6.5m, from the government defence department customer 
that we have been supplying with cyber security products and 
services since 2017. Post period, we received a $4m follow-on 
order, which is expected to be delivered in the second half of 
2020, from this customer for the delivery of additional hardware 
and software cyber security products as the solution is rolled 
out to encompass further employees. Following this latest order, 
the total contracted revenue awarded to BATM to date by this 
customer for this cyber solution is over $18m.

We were also awarded an initial $2m contract by a branch of a 
national armed forces – a new customer – for the provision of 
a combined cyber security and networking solution. This is our 
first contract for this combined solution.

In  addition,  we  expanded  our  cyber  security  offering  by 
enhancing  our  T-Sense  cyber  product,  which  is  a  software-
based  smart  network  sensor  that  is  able  to  discover  and 
classify network devices, applications, services and activities 
over the network, so that it is compatible with Arm architecture 
as  well  as  Intel-based  platforms.  As  a  result,  T-Sense  is  now 
able  to  leverage  the  advantages  of  all  major  infrastructures, 
which expands its addressable market. This enhanced product 
is expected to be available to customers this year.

COVID-19 Update
At the end of December 2019, we were alerted to the possibility 
of a pandemic outbreak by monitoring information mainly from 
China.  The  effectiveness  of  our  response  has  been  enabled 
by  the  significant  investments  we  have  made  in  advancing 
our  Bio-Medical  division  in  recent  years  and  our  immediate 
preparation of all parts of the division for an outbreak. Our Bio-
Medical  division  is  now  able  to  quickly  provide  solutions  that 
include diagnostic kits for any new pathogen that appears and 
devices  like  diagnostic  instruments,  ventilators,  pathogenic 
waste disposal and more. 

8   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT &  ACCOUNTS 2019

With the experience gained in the company and our relationships 
with  leading  academic  institutions,  when  we  received  the 
worrying information about a possible outbreak, we were able 
to  launch  a  new  precise  and  fast  molecular  diagnostics  kit 
to  detect  COVID-19.    Clinical  verification  and  evaluation  was 
undertaken during February 2020 by leading universities and 
hospitals, and we received certification in March 2020. Since 
then, production and sales have been ramping up. We are also 
in the process of developing various other detection kits, among 
them kits for home testing, in partnership with Novamed, which 
we  expect  to  complete  within  the  next  few  months.  Finally, 
we were honoured to receive our first order of c. $31m from a 
European government to provide 1,000 ventilators by the end of 
Q3 2020 to support their response to COVID-19. 

Our  primary  facilities  in  the  Bio-Medical  division,  in  Israel, 
Italy and Hungary, have remained operational throughout this 
period.  They  are  able  to  produce  at  a  substantial  capacity 
despite the measures taken to ensure the health and safety of 
our employees in those locations as well as several regulatory 
limitations and other impacts of lockdown.    

In our Networking & Cyber division, our facilities have remained 
open in both Israel and the US subject to public health controls. 
During Q1 2020, the effect of the outbreak was minimal. As a 
result of COVID-19, some customers are temporarily postponing 
certain projects and we are currently unable to perform some 
activities  due  to  the  restrictions  on  travelling  to  a  customers’ 
premise or a supplier. Consequently, it is prudent to anticipate 
some lost revenue in this division, however it is too early in the 
current financial year to determine if this will have any material 
impact on the Networking & Cyber division.  

As a result of the above, we expect the Bio-Medical division to 
perform well and the Networking & Cyber division to experience 
a temporary slowdown. Given the uncertainty surrounding the 
length  and  economic  severity  of  the  crisis,  it  is  too  early  to 
estimate the financial impact on BATM. 

We  continue  to  work  hard  to  ensure  our  employees  are  fully 
supported  in  remaining  safe,  well  and  able  to  work.  Today, 
BATM  is  well  positioned  in  large  markets  showing  long-term 
growth potential and with a set of technologies, services and 
solutions to meet its customers' evolving needs. As a result, the 
Board believes that, with the actions taken to date in response 
to the pandemic along with the further work to be undertaken 
to achieve the Group's strategic objectives in 2020, BATM will 
continue to deliver shareholder value.  
Dr. Zvi Marom
Chief Executive Officer 
30 April 2020

STRATEGIC REPORT 

CHIEF FINANCIAL 
OFFICER’S REVIEW

Total  Group  revenue  for  2019  increased  to  $123.4m  (2018: 
$119.6m),  reflecting  growth  in  both  divisions.  On  a  constant 
currency basis, revenue for 2019 would have been $126.5m, 
with  an  immaterial  impact  on  operating  profit.  The  primary 
currency fluctuation that impacted the reported revenue was 
the  weakening  of  the  Moldovan  Leu  and  the  Romanian  Leu 
against  the  US  Dollar.  The  Bio-Medical  division  accounted 
for  52.2%  of  total  revenue  (2018:  51.9%)  and  47.8%  was 
contributed  by  the  Networking  and  Cyber  division  (2018: 
48.1%). Both divisions had a significantly stronger second half 
of  the  year,  with  revenue  in  H2  2019  being  higher  than  H1 
2019 – by 13.2% in the Bio-Medical division and by 26.9% in 
the Networking and Cyber division.

The  blended  gross  margin  for  the  year  was  26.9%  (2018: 
28.8%). This decrease is due to the increased contribution to 
revenue from the Bio-Medical division, which carries a lower 
margin than the Networking and Cyber division, as well as a 
slight softening in gross margin in both divisions respectively. 
We anticipate an improvement in gross margin for 2020.

Sales and marketing expenses were $16.3m (2018: $15.6m), 
representing 13.2% of revenue compared with 13.1% in 2018. 
The  increase  is  due  to  the  expansion  of  marketing  in  the 
Networking  unit  to  support  the  launch  of  the  NFV  products 
and  in  the  Diagnostics  unit  for  the  launch  of  the  molecular 
biology products. There was also an increase in sales activity 
in the Distribution unit.

General  and  administrative  expenses  were  $11.8m  (2018: 
$11.2m),  representing  9.5%  of  revenue  compared  with  9.4% 
in 2018. 

Investment in R&D was lower in 2019 than the previous year at 
$6.8m (2018: $7.1m), primarily due to the allocation of certain 
R&D expenses to cost of revenues.

Adjusted  operating  profit  increased  significantly  to  $5.3m 
compared with an adjusted operating profit of $2.6m in 2018. 
This includes a capital gain of $3.2m from the part realisation 
of  our  ownership  of  Ador  as  part  of  the  investment  in  that 

business.  The  fair  value  of  our  remaining  holdings  in  Ador, 
based on the transaction agreement, is $17m. Implementation 
of  IFRS  accounting  standards  requires  the  investment  to  be 
measured  according  to  the  equity  method,  which  excludes 
fair  value  measurement,  therefore  only  a  $3.2m  profit  was 
recorded. In addition, there was a capital gain of $3.4m from 
the sale of the Group’s rights in IBC Holdings (compared with 
a capital gain in 2018 of $1.6m from the selling of intangible 
assets to a joint venture).

We achieved a strong increase in EBITDA, which doubled to 
$9.8m (2018: $4.9m). 

Net  finance  income  was  $0.3m  (2018:  $0.3m  expenses), 
which includes $0.3m in expenses relating to interest on lease 
liabilities following the implementation of IFRS 16 on 1 January 
2019. 

Net profit after tax attributable to the owners of the company 
increased to $3.9m (2018: $0.4m profit) resulting in a significant 
increase in basic earnings per share to 0.93¢ (2018: 0.09¢).

As at 31 December 2019, inventory was $22.7m (30 June 2019: 
$23.9m;  31  December  2018:  $22.9m).  The  decrease  is  due 
to the completion of delivery of certain large projects by the 
Eco-Med unit during the year, which had been commenced 
in  the  prior  year,  resulting  in  the  unwinding  of  the  inventory 
position. Trade and other receivables increased to $42.8m (30 
June 2019: $36.4m; 31 December 2018: $35.0m), which was 
mostly due to higher sales in the last quarter of the year. 

Intangible  assets  and  goodwill  at  31  December  2019  was 
$23.7m (30 June 2019: $23.1m; 31 December 2018: $22.6m). 
The  slight  increase  is  mostly  due  to  a  small  acquisition  of  a 
software business during the year.

Property, plant and equipment and investment property was 
$16.1m (30 June 2019: $16.9m; 31 December 2018: $16.1m). 

The balance of trade and other payables was $44.5m (30 June 
2019: $32.8m; 31 December 2018: $33.4m). The increase is 
mostly due to achieving of better payment terms.

Revenue

H1 2019

$56.2m

Adj. blended gross margin

27.7%

Adj. operating profit

$1.6m

H2 2019

$67.2m

26.8%

$3.7m

FY 2019

$123.4m

27.2%

$5.3m

FY 2018

$119.6m

29.2%

$2.6m

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT &  ACCOUNTS 2019   9

STRATEGIC REPORT 

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER’S REVIEW CONTINUED

CORPORATE STRATEGY 

Networking & Cyber Division

FY 2019

FY 2018

Revenue

$59.0m

$57.5m

Adj. blended gross margin

30.9%

33.6%

Adj. operating profit

$5.2m

$3.6m

There was an immaterial impact on revenue in the Networking 
and Cyber division by currency fluctuations. The reduction in 
gross  margin  in  the  Networking  and  Cyber  division  reflects 
a  slight  decrease  in  year-on-year  sales  of  carrier  Ethernet 
products,  resulting  in  an  increased  contribution  to  revenue 
from ICT services, which carry a lower gross margin.  

Listing on TASE

On 11 July 2019, we commenced trading on our Secondary 
Listing  on  the  Tel  Aviv  Stock  Exchange  (TASE)  under  the 
symbol  “BVC”.  Our  Primary  Listing  remains  on  the  Premium 
Listing  Segment  of  the  Official  List  of  the  FCA  and  our 
shares  continue  to  trade  on  the  Main  Market  of  the  London 
Stock  Exchange.  Shares  are  fully  transferrable  and  fungible 
between the two markets. We did not issue any new shares in 
connection with the Secondary Listing.

Moti Nagar
Chief Financial Officer
30 April 2020

Cash generated from operating activities was $7.2m for 2019 
compared with $2.6m for the prior year, which is mainly due 
to an improvement in working capital and $2.1m resulting from 
the implementation of IFRS 16.

Our balance sheet remained strong with effective liquidity of 
$44.8m  at  31  December  2019  compared  with  $16.9m  at  30 
June 2019 and $24.4m at 31 December 2018. The increase in 
cash and cash equivalents relates to improvement in working 
capital  and  successfully  raising  approximately  $17.1m  net 
from new and existing investors.  

Divisional Performance 

Bio-Medical Division

FY 2019

FY 2018

Revenue

$64.4m

$62.1m

Adj. blended gross margin

23.8%

25.0%

Adj. operating profit/(loss)

$0.1m

$(1.1m)

Revenue  for  the  Bio-Medical  division  increased  by  3.7%  to 
$64.4m  (2018:  $62.1m).  On  a  constant  currency  basis,  the 
Bio-Medical  division  revenue  growth  was  9.2%.  Blended 
gross margin for the division was lower due to slightly higher 
costs in the Eco-Med unit as it delivered the first of its large-
scale  solutions.  The  Bio-Medical  division  generated  an 
adjusted operating profit of $0.1m for 2019 compared with a 
loss of $1.1m in 2018, which was primarily due to a capital gain 
of  $3.2m  from  the  part  realisation  of  Ador  compared  with  a 
capital gain of $1.6m in 2018 from selling of intangible assets 
to a joint venture. 

There  was  a  slight  increase  in  revenue  for  the  full  year 
compared with 2018, which reflects a softening in the first half 
being mitigated by a strong second half, with revenue in H2 
2019 being 26.9% higher than H1 2019 and 14.2% above H2 
2018. The growth in the second half was due to increased sales 
of ICT networking products and services and cyber solutions. 

applications  (in  particular,  for  the  safe  treatment  on  site 
of  poultry  remains  during  the  rendering  process).  These 
solutions  are  based  on  unique  patented  Integrated  Sterilizer 
and  Shredder  ("ISS")  technology  that  has  been  used  and 
recommended by the WHO (World Health Organization). 

The  division  is  also  a  distributor  of  leading  brands  of  other 
diagnostic  equipment  and  medical  supplies,  particularly 
within Eastern Europe. This includes providing analytical and 
diagnostic  tests  of  third  parties,  which  helps  to  develop  the 
market  channels  for  BATM’s  own  diagnostic  solutions  and 
relationship with tier 1 companies.

Networking & Cyber Division
The Networking & Cyber Division is focused on becoming the 
leading  provider  of  Network  Function  Virtualisation  ("NFV"), 
Carrier  Ethernet  and  MPLS  access  solutions,  and  cyber 
network monitoring.

In  the  Networking  unit,  the  Group  is  servicing  a  wide  need 
for access solutions to the ever-expanding mobile and cloud 
markets as well as for the wireline infrastructure. The division is 
working closely with customers and partners to define needs in 
cloud-based networks, NFV and advanced access solutions. 
The  Group  intends  to  use  its  technological  leadership  to 
penetrate  tier  1  operators  and  to  develop  solutions  targeted 
at growth areas including 5G, MEC, IoT, Cloud and Enterprise.

In the Cyber unit, the Group is focused on providing network 
monitoring  solutions  and  services  to  large  area  networks, 
principally  those  utilising  10/40/100GE.  The  primary  target 
customers  are  government  organisations  in  Europe  and 
Asia-Pacific. 

For  Networking  and  Cyber,  the  business  model  is  based  on 
selling  a  solution  that  combines  integrated  hardware  and 
sophisticated software. The Group is expanding its investment 
in software-based products, which it expects to result in higher 
volume of software licensing revenues in the coming years. 

BATM  is  a  leading  provider  of  real-time  technologies  for 
networking solutions and bio-medical systems.

It  operates  through  two  divisions:  the  Bio-Medical  division 
and  the  Networking  &  Cyber  division.  These  two  divisions 
have been built on the creation of strong intellectual property 
backed  by  strong  patents.  This  is  the  foundation  for  the 
development of BATM’s market-leading innovative and cost-
effective solutions in the divisions’ respective fields.  

Bio-Medical Division
The Bio-Medical Division is focused on becoming a leading 
provider  of  diagnostic  laboratory  equipment  as  well  as 
innovative products to treat biological pathogenic waste in the 
medical, agricultural and pharmaceutical industries.

In  the  field  of  laboratory  diagnostic  equipment,  the  Group 
has  developed  its  own  equipment  and  reagents,  which 
have enabled it to grow in various markets and establish an 
expanding customer base.

While  continuing  to  innovate  and  increase  its  presence  in 
traditional  markets,  the  Group  is  also  investing,  directly  and 
through  joint  ventures,  in  developing  the  most  advanced 
molecular biotechnology.

The diagnostics unit’s current  highly reliable, fast and easy to 
operate equipment for small diagnostic laboratories are sold 
primarily to labs in emerging markets, such as China, Russia, 
Mexico,  Brazil  and  others,  which  have  significant  potential 
for  growth.  The  unit  sells  instruments  as  well  as  associated 
reagents and consumables.

Ador, an associated company of BATM’s Bio-Medical Division, 
is  developing  a  unique  diagnostics  solution,  combining 
molecular diagnostics and rapid tests within the same compact, 
mobile  and  easy-to-use  machine  (reader).  The  system  uses 
microarray cartridges (panels) to enable the rapid sample-to-
answer  identification  of  a  specific  disease  or  infection.  The 
Group believes this will allow medical practitioners to provide 
far  quicker  and  more  efficient  treatment.  The  Group  intends 
to  target  leading  hospitals  to  demonstrate  the  strength  of  the 
solution and to utilise its extensive partner network for further 
marketing.  In  addition  to  the  significant  target  market  for  the 
reader,  the  Group  will  be  able  to  expand  its  target  market 
segments through the development of panels for new disease 
areas.  Ador  is  currently  developing  panels  for  meningitis, 
tropical  infectious  disease  and  hospital  admitted  infectious 
disease, and will then expand to others.

The  division’s  other  innovative  solutions  treat  pathogenic 
and  medical  waste  in  laboratories  and  hospitals,  and  in 
pharmaceutical  manufacturing  plants  and  for  agricultural 

10   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT &  ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT &  ACCOUNTS 2019   11

CORPORATE STRATEGY CONTINUED

Future Developments

Key Performance Indicators

Management intends to continue to invest significantly in R&D 
and  sales  and  marketing  activities  in  order  to  support  the 
organic growth of the business. 

In addition, management intends to make bolt-on acquisitions 
to strengthen its position in the Networking & Cyber Division 
and Bio-Medical markets to maintain its leading position.

BATM has several key performance measures used internally 
to  monitor  and  challenge  performance  and  to  assist  in 
investment  decisions.  The  most  important  performance 
indicators  in  the  current  and  prior  years  are  summarised  as 
follows:

Revenue

Gross profit

Gross margin

Adjusted blended gross margin1

Cash and financial assets

Adjusted operating profit1

EBITDA2

Earnings per share

2019

$123.4m

$33.1m

26.9%

27.2%

$44.8m

$5.3m

$9.8m

0.93¢

2018

$119.6m

$34.5m

28.8%

29.2%

$24.4m

$2.6m

$4.9m

0.09¢

Change %

+3.2

-4.1

-6.6

-6.8

+84

+104

+100

+933

1. Excluding amortisation of intangible assets.

2. 'EBITDA' is used interchangeably with 'adjusted EBITDA' throughout this report.

Other alternative measures

The Group uses adjusted operating profit and EBITDA as key performance measures, which are calculated as per the following 
table:

Year ended 31 December

GAAP operating profit

Amortisation of intangible assets

Adjusted operating profit

Depreciation

Depreciation of right-of-use assets 

EBITDA

12   BATM  l  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

2019

$’000s

4,482

794

5,276

2,101

2,460

9,837

2018

$’000s

1,490

1,143

2,633

2,248

-

4,881

STRATEGIC REPORT 

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

As the Group is involved in the development of new products 
and  services,  it  is  subject  to  the  development  risk  inherent 
in such activity, including in particular the failure of products 
and  services  in  development  to  proceed  to  completion  and 
to  the  market.  This  includes  the  risk  of  failing  key  research 
and development hurdles such as clinical trials and regulatory 
authorisation.

The Group has made several acquisitions. Such growth in the 
Group  carries  increased  demand  for  cash  and  resources  in 
the Group’s business, not all of which may be capable of being 
adequately  serviced.  Furthermore,  certain  acquisitions  have 
not reached one hundred per cent ownership of the relevant 
target  companies,  in  some  cases  due  to  local  regulatory 
requirements  as  to  share  ownership  and  structuring.  As  a 
result,  certain  companies  in  the  Group  have  non-controlling 
interests,  typically  held  by  the  local  management  of  the 
subsidiaries. Relationships with these non-controlling interests 
are  frequently  key  to  the  continued  success  of  the  relevant 
business  and  projects.  They  carry  certain  risks,  including 
those inherent in diversified control in a trading business, for 
example that key business decisions favoured by the Group 
may  not  proceed  to  implementation,  and  the  consequences 
of a breakdown of the cooperation between the Group as the 
majority holder and the local partner as the minority. 

The  Group’s  diversified  business  activities  include  some, 
particularly  within  the  Eco-Med  and  Distribution  units,  that 
are  aimed  at  emerging  markets,  which  have  significant 

upward potential, yet at the same time are subject to greater 
risks  than  more  developed  markets,  including  economic, 
currency,  political,  social,  legal  and  legislative  risks.  The 
Group’s business and, consequently, its financial results and 
returns to investors may be adversely affected by a decrease 
in  demand  in  such  emerging  markets,  which  can  typically 
be  less  easy  to  predict  or  manage  than  in  more  stable  and 
developed  economies.  The  political  and  socioeconomic 
stability  of  emerging  markets  is  frequently  lower  than  that 
seen  in  more  established  markets,  and  this  carries  the  risk 
that  the  Group’s  business  and,  consequently,  its  financial 
results and returns to investors may be adversely affected by 
negative changes in conditions for business and investment, 
which may occur more frequently or with more severity than 
in more developed markets. BATM has exposure to material 
fluctuations in currencies since BATM sells in various different 
currency zones including US Dollar, Euro, Romanian Lei and 
Moldavian Lei. 

The  World  Health  Organization  declared  COVID-19  a  global 
emergency  on  30  January  2020  with  a  significant  number 
of  countries  declaring  lockdown  measures.  The  length  and 
extent of the economic disruption caused by the outbreak is 
highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. The Group’s Bio-
Medical  division  was  awarded  a  significant  contract  as  a 
result of the crisis, but there can be no assurances that this will 
be repeated. Accordingly, the financial impact on the Group 
cannot be estimated at this time.

BATM  l  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   13

STRATEGIC REPORT 

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

BATM believes that regular engagement with its stakeholders 
is  fundamental  to  developing  and  maintaining  a  sustainable 
business model. Understanding the views and focus areas of 
the Group’s stakeholders helps to inform its decision-making 
processes and to drive progress towards realising the Group’s 
mission. BATM’s mission is to lead the provision of real-time 
technologies and solutions for the rapid detection, diagnosis 
and  treatment  of  pathogens,  genetic  disease  and  cyber 
network threats and for network function virtualisation.

BATM has a wide range of stakeholders and looks to actively 
engage with each of them. The table below summarises the 

key  stakeholders  and  their  areas  of  interest.  It  outlines  how 
BATM  engages  with  each  group  and  includes  highlights  of 
the  Group’s  engagement  during  2019  and  actions  arising 
from these activities. Some of this engagement is carried out 
directly at Board level, while other engagement occurs during 
the course of running the business.

Section 172(1) Statement

Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 requires each director 
of the Company to act in the way he or she considers, in good 
faith, would most likely promote the success of the Company 

for the benefit of its members as a whole. In this way Section 
172 requires a director to have regard, amongst other matters, 
to the: likely consequences of any decisions in the long-term; 
interests  of  the  Company’s  employees;  need  to  foster  the 
Company’s  business  relationships  with  suppliers,  customers 
and  other  material  stakeholders;  impact  of  the  Company’s 
the  environment; 
operations  on 
desirability of the Company maintaining a reputation for high 
standards of business conduct; and need to act fairly between 
members of the Company. 

local  communities  and 

In discharging its Section 172 duties the Board has considered 

the factors set out above and the views of key stakeholders. The 
Board acknowledges that some decisions will not necessarily 
result  in  a  positive  outcome  for  all  of  BATM’s  stakeholders. 
However, by considering the Group’s purpose, mission, values 
and  commitment  to  responsible  business  together  with  its 
strategic priorities and having a process in place for decision-
making, the Board aims to ensure that its decisions are in the 
best interests of the business.

Our stakeholders 

Why they matter to us 

How we engage 

What matters to them 

2019 highlights & actions arising

Employees

Our people are our greatest asset. In order 
to recruit and retain the best talent we 
must ensure that we are an employer of 
choice and that our employment policies 
are sensitive to our employees’ priorities 
and requirements. 

•   A dedicated Human Resources function 

•   A shared commitment to our goals 

•   A safe workplace with equality of opportunity and 

diversity, and which encourages wellbeing

•   Reaching their full potential from career development

comprising a network of human resources 
departments at subsidiary level each headed 
up by a VP-level executive who in turn reports to 
Head Office

•   Open and transparent communication with our 

workforce 

•   Listening to our people and taking into account 

their feedback

•   Annual employee satisfaction surveys

•  Personal development reviews

•   Recognising and rewarding our people for their 
contribution as reflected in our Remuneration 
Policy and which includes a bonus scheme and 
an Employee Share Option Plan (ESOP) for more 
senior personnel

•   Encouraging share ownership at all levels 

•   Code of Conduct for new employees

•   During 2019, the Board set up a new Corporate 

Social Responsibility and Environment committee 
to explore further opportunities for workforce 
engagement 

•   Training programmes for employees in the 

Networking & Cyber division focussed on skills 
development and the achievement of additional 
career-enhancing qualifications and which often 
supply in excess of two weeks training per year for 
individual employees

•   Training programmes for all employees on the 

prevention of sexual harassment 

•   An annual employee event and ad hoc social events 

designed to engender team spirit 

•   Regular senior management communication with 

employees on areas including Group strategy and 
progress 

Customers

Our customers rely on our technology, 
solutions and equipment in order to 
operate and continue to grow. We look 
to understand their evolving needs and 
requirements thereby enabling both BATM 
and our customers to share in the value 
creation. 

•   Specific client relationship managers dedicated to 

•   Product or system quality and reliability

•   In the Networking & Cyber division, continued 

key customers and to key regions

•   Annual customer surveys as part of the ISO Audit 
and focussed on all aspects of our customer 
relationships (including product quality, levels 
of customer service and price) and followed by 
an action plan to implement enhancements and 
improvements  

•   Training programmes on our solutions and 

products for our customers

•   Working to understand the growth drivers in our 

customers’ markets

•   Participation in major exhibitions

•   Innovation

•   Our understanding of their growth drivers in order that 
BATM can better anticipate and meet their evolving 
requirements

•   Fair contractual terms

collaboration with, and collation of feedback from, 
customer groups enabled the development of new 
products, including a new ultra-high capacity (1.2 
Tb) networking platform ready for 5G

•   In the Diagnostics business, customer feedback 
contributed to the evolution of product design 
and led to the subsequent manufacture of faster 
diagnostics machines 

•   The Eco-Med business worked with customers to 

develop customised solutions for the insect protein 
food industry

14   BATM  l  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  l  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   15

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT CONTINUED

Our stakeholders 

Why they matter to us 

How we engage 

What matters to them 

2019 highlights & actions arising

STRATEGIC REPORT 

Communities

We strive to be a responsible corporate 
citizen within the local and wider 
communities in which we operate by 
behaving in a sustainable and socially-
responsible manner and supporting local 
businesses and charities.

•   BATM’s research and development and testing 
products in the diagnosis of infectious diseases

•   BATM’s solutions for the safe treatment of 

pathogenic waste 

•   Local initiatives that support community and 

charitable organisations

•   Active encouragement of every employee to work 

to further charitable goals

•   Response mechanism to queries concerning the 

Group’s operations or products

•   BATM should contribute to the social and economic 

•   A key tenet of Group strategy is the research and 

welfare of the local and wider communities in which it 
operates

development of solutions to counter the spread and 
improve diagnosis of infectious diseases 

•   BATM’s activities should not cause nuisance, pollution 

or disruption

Suppliers

BATM’s supply chain and, with it, the 
uninterrupted provision of high-quality, 
reliable and responsibly-sourced products 
and services are critical to the effective 
and continuous conduct of the Group’s 
day-to-day business activities. 

It is also important that our suppliers 
are kept abreast of BATM’s strategy 
and evolving requirements so that we 
can continue to deliver on our long-term 
strategy.

•   Contractual terms and payment timings

•   BATM’s strategy and development plans

•   Tender process details

•   Day-to-day dialogue and communications with 

the relevant staff

•   Product quality and reliability 

•   Ensuring that BATM’s activities are supported by a 

reliable and effective supply chain 

•   Fair contractual payment terms and timings

16   BATM  l  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  l  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   17

•   BATM’s management team regularly gives their 
time as expert advisors in the field of medical 
diagnostics

•   Another key part of our strategy is the safe and 

effective treatment of pathogenic waste from food 
production or medical facilities 

•   Through its Green Labs subsidiary in Hungary, the 
Group produces environmental measuring systems 
including solutions for testing air pollution levels 
and in large manufacturing plants

•   Involvement with local charitable organisations and 
hospitals that are designed to help bridge socio-
economic divides 

•   The donation of used computers to a local school

•   At least once a quarter, the Company arranges 
for the collection and subsequent distribution of 
baskets of both basic food products and toys to 
disadvantaged families

•   The improvement of recycling procedures at the 

Group’s facilities 

•   A continued programme of upgrades to energy and 
lighting systems in the Group’s plants and offices to 
lower energy equivalents

•   Periodic assessment of, and ongoing discussions 
with, major manufacturing suppliers to ensure 
continued quality and competitive pricing 

•   Ongoing surveys in accordance with ISO quality 

assurance standards and certificate requirements 

•   Key suppliers are regularly considered as part of 
the ongoing assessment of business continuity 
risks

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT CONTINUED

Our stakeholders 

Why they matter to us 

How we engage 

What matters to them 

2019 highlights & actions arising

STRATEGIC REPORT 

Industry regulators

BATM is involved with the development of 
new products and services and regulatory 
authorisation for our products and services is a 
key research and development hurdle. 

•   Regular dialogue and ongoing meetings with 
industry regulators to ensure they are aware 
of our progress and goals and that we are 
compliant at each stage of the process 

•    Open dialogue and communication 

channels

•   Compliance with relevant regulations

•   Engagement with authorised testing labs for the purposes of 
CE certification of our diagnostics and telecommunications 
products indicating conformity with health, safety and 
protection standards

•   Our Zer Laboratories subsidiary engaged with the Ministry of 
Health in Israel in order to obtain a special permit to open and 
operate a genetic testing lab

The Group’s operations are diverse and as a 
result BATM engages with a broad range of 
regulatory organisations.

•   Periodic audits by the regulators

•   The renewal of CE certifications (to 

demonstrate conformity with health, safety 
and environmental protection standards) for 
our products every 5 years

Joint ventures, 
strategic 
partnerships and 
minority interests

The Group has joint ventures and joint 
development agreements that provide 
significant opportunities for future growth. The 
maintenance of optimal working relationships 
with our partners remains critical to our 
success. 

Certain companies within the Group have 
minority interests and relationships with these 
non-controlling interests are often key to the 
continued success of the relevant projects.

•   Regular dialogue and interaction with 

our partners in the form of, for example, 
weekly teleconferences and regular 
development team meetings 

•   Establishment of development timelines 

and strategic goals

•   Funding requirements 

•   Research and development progress

•   Delivering upon strategy 

•   Open communication channels

•   Further progress with Arm for the joint development of the NFV 

solution, with field trials expected to progress during 2020

•   A US$14.5 million investment into Ador Diagnostics to fund the 
commercialisation of its molecular biology-based solutions

Current and potential 
shareholders 

The Board has a fiduciary duty to promote the 
long-term sustainable success of the Group for 
its shareholders. 

Shareholders provide important feedback to 
the Board and management team.

Media

Stakeholders require up-to-date, timely, 
complete and accurate information about the 
Group.

•   Investor sub-section of the corporate 

website 

•   Results announcements and presentations

•   Regular Board-level dialogue and 

meetings with institutional shareholders

•   Non-executive Directors are available to 
meet with shareholders upon request

•   Analyst / investor site visits

•   Participation in capital markets seminars 
and conferences at which the CEO and 
Board members are often key speakers

•   AGM

•   Capital markets days

•   Support by professional advisors

•   Regular and timely distribution of Group 
news and information via the Group’s 
corporate website and news distribution 
services

•   Financial performance, growth drivers, 
earnings potential, strategy and capital 
allocation

•   A rolling programme of meetings, supplemented by ad hoc 
meetings, between analysts / institutional investors and the 
CEO / CFO throughout the year 

•   Share price performance

•   Analyst and investor visit to medical diagnostics operations in 

•   Governance and quality of leadership

•   Corporate responsibility performance

Rome, Italy in December 2019 

•   Board review of feedback provided after investor events and 

presentations

•   In July 2019 the Company commenced trading on the Tel 

Aviv Stock Exchange; this secondary listing provides a local 
trading platform for Israeli-based institutions, increases the 
accessibility of the Company shares, improves liquidity and 
gives an additional day of trading (Sunday) for the shares when 
the London Stock Exchange is closed for trading

•   Accurate and timely news and information 

•   Timely and regular news releases from the Group concerning 

about BATM’s activities

all material aspects of its activities during the year

•   Dedicated points of contact for further 

information and clarification

•   During 2019, BATM engaged a premium public relations firm 
in Israel to provide advice and support vis-à-vis the capital 
markets in Israel and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange 

•   The regular provision of Group updates in the form of investor 

videos via financial news portals

18   BATM  l  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  l  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   19

CONDUCTING BUSINESS 
RESPONSIBLY

Approach
The  Group’s  approach  to  corporate  responsibility  is 
governed  by  national  and  international  business  good 
practice,  the  applicable  laws  and  regulations  and  the 
expectations  of  its  material  stakeholders.  It  is  managed 
both  at  Group  and  operating  company  level  through 
the  setting  of  certain  group-wide  policies  and  codes, 
adherence 
international  management  systems 
standards and the development and maintenance of local 

to 

procedures that are tailored to the specific activities of the 
operating companies. 

Key focus areas

The outlined policies, management systems and 
procedures address six key focus areas that comprise the 
Group’s corporate responsibility impacts and opportunities. 
These are highlighted in the table below.

Environment & 
climate change

Occupational 
health & safety

Product quality & 
safety

Business conduct Communities

Workforce

Greenhouse gas 
& atmospheric 
emissions

Occupational health

Reliability & product 
maintenance

Anti-bribery & 
corruption

Good neighbour 
commitment

Fair employment 
terms & conditions

Management of 
water resources

Accident & incident 
prevention

Product quality

Regulatory & legal 
compliance

Energy use

Provision of healthy 
workplaces

Product security & 
integrity

Re-use recycling & 
waste management

Workforce training & 
education

After-sales service

Stakeholder 
relations & 
transparency

Fair terms & 
conditions for 
suppliers & 
customers

Pro-active local 
community 
participation

Equal opportunities

Local stakeholder 
engagement

Workplace diversity

Employee 
volunteering

Approach to 
organised labour

Biodiversity 
management

Pollution prevention

Quality of raw 
materials

Data protection & 
information security

Employee training & 
development

Governance
Corporate responsibility is addressed at Board level through 
the  responsibilities  that  have  been  allocated  to  the  Audit 
Committee  and  the  Corporate  Social  Responsibility  and 
Environment Committee. The Audit Committee is responsible 
including 
for  addressing  business  conduct  matters 
maintaining  whistleblowing  policies  and  procedures  and 
ensuring that complaints or concerns from employees in the 
Group with respect to wrongdoing are properly investigated 
and addressed. Further information is recorded below and 
on page 32.

The  Corporate  Social  Responsibility  and  Environment 
Committee  was  formed  in  2019  to  formalise  the  Board’s 
approach to the remaining key areas of focus and to develop 
the Company’s alignment to the UK Corporate Governance 

20   BATM  l  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

Code. Its responsibilities include monitoring the Company’s 
performance in each area, reporting this information to the 
Board and making recommendations on how the Company’s 
policies,  systems  and  performance  should  be  developed 
over time. Further information is recorded on page 33 to 34.

Policy structure
The  Company  has  put  in  place  policies  at  Group  and 
operating  company  level  to  ensure  that  its  approach  to 
corporate  responsibility  adheres  to  good  practice  and 
applicable  laws  and  regulations.  Highlights  are  recorded 
below:

•   A Group Code of Conduct that governs employee share 
dealings, which outlines how these should be conducted 

STRATEGIC REPORT 

within the applicable laws and regulations.

•   Operating  company  employment  policies  that  ensure 
fair  terms  and  conditions,  promote  equal  opportunity, 
prevent  discrimination  and  harassment,  outlaw  forced 
and  child  labour  and  promote  volunteering,  community 
involvement and regular communication and dialogue.

•   Environmental  and  health  and  safety  guidelines  at 

individual operating companies.

•   The  promotion  of 

responsible  business  behaviour 
including anti-bribery and corruption guidelines that have 
been  distributed  and  communicated  to  all  employees. 
These also emphasise the importance of ethical behaviour 
through fair dealings with suppliers and customers.

Management systems
Certifications
international  management 
BATM  holds  a  number  of 
certifications.  For  example, 
ISO 
the  Company  holds 
14001:2015 and ISO 9001:2015 certifications for the design 
and  manufacturing  of  data  communications  products  and 
ISO 13485:2016 for chemical chemistry. Other subsidiaries 
in the Group hold additional ISO certifications. These include 
ISO 13485:2016 in the Bio-Medical division and CE marked 
approval  for  the  Group’s  IVD  diagnostics  tests.  BATM’s 
laboratory in Israel holds ISO 27001:2013 and 27799:2016 
for operating medical testing laboratories. 

The  Company  has  implemented  the  recommendations  of 
ROHS  (Restriction  of  Hazardous  Substances)  in  Electrical 
and Electronic Equipment Directive (2002/95/EC) and all its 
products are fully ROHS certified.

Whistleblowing procedure
Information  about  BATM’s  whistleblowing  mechanism  is 
regularly communicated to all employees. These processes 
include the requirement for its operating and contact details 
to be published on every bulletin board at all Company sites. 

The procedure is managed by an independent administrator 
who  is  a  partner  at  an  Israeli  professional  services 
firm,  Chaikin,  Cohen  and  Rubin,  based  in  Tel  Aviv.  The 
organisation  has  a  reputation  for  professional  excellence 
and  is  an  independent  auditor  for  several  listed  Israeli 
companies. 

Employees  are  encouraged  to  approach  the  administrator 
by  phone  or  email  if  they  have  concerns  about  possible 
wrongdoing  including  potential  or  actual  breaches  of 
applicable laws and regulations and fair business conduct. 
The approach can be anonymous, if the employee chooses. 
The  Company  has  undertaken  not  to  take  subsequent 
disciplinary action against a complainant unless the report 

was subsequently judged to have been made in bad faith or 
to be malicious.

On  receipt,  the  details  of  the  report  are  passed  to  the 
Company’s  Internal  Auditor  for  immediate  investigation. 
The  Internal  Auditor  has  the  authority  to  question  and 
interview  any  Company  employee  during  the  conduct  of 
the  investigation.  The  recommended  outcome  with  other 
relevant recommendations and conclusions is recorded in a 
report that is sent to the Chairman of the Audit Committee. 
The  Internal  Auditor  may  also  inform  the  complainant  of 
the  recommended  outcome  after  seeing  advice  from  the 
Company’s General Counsel. 

The Audit Committee will then decide on whether to action 
the  report’s  recommendations  or  to  undertake  another 
course of action. 

Performance information
Performance  across  the  business  in  the  six  key  focus 
areas  highlighted  at  the  beginning  of  this  Conducting 
Business Responsibly section is regularly monitored at both 
operating company and Group level. The Corporate Social 
Responsibility  and  Environment  Committee  aims  to  lead  a 
process of internal and external reporting development over 
time as part of its responsibilities.

The Board and senior management team view the Group’s 
performance  in  2019  as  satisfactory.  Across  the  Group 
highlights included:

•   No material environmental or health and safety (including 

fatality) incidents

•   No  incidents  of  material  regulatory  fines  or  penalties  in 
relation to environmental or health and safety matters

•   No instances of product withdrawals or revocations due 
to quality issues (except where products had reached the 
end of their natural lifespan in the marketplace)

•   No  instances  of  whistleblowing  reports  requiring  further 

action

•   No 

incidents  of  bribery,  corruption  or  business 

interruptions as a result of regulatory activity

Workforce
The  Group  prioritises  training  and  development  for  its 
workforce.  For  example,  the  Networking  &  Cyber  division 
has numerous training schemes that often supply in excess 
of  two  weeks  training  per  year  for  individual  employees. 
Another example is the Group’s Distribution unit of the Bio-
Medical  division,  which  provides  its  employees  with  4,000 
hours a year of product training and skill development.

A significant proportion of the Group’s operating companies 

BATM  l  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   21

CONDUCTING BUSINESS RESPONSIBLY CONTINUED

conduct annual employee satisfaction survey exercises and 
these have recorded consistently high results over the past 
few years.

The  Group  actively  promotes  equal  opportunities  within  all 
of  its  businesses  and  aligns  its  approach  to  international 
human rights standards.

BATM strives to provide opportunities for women at all levels 
of  the  business  and  to  increase  the  proportion  of  women 
working at senior levels over time. 65% of BATM’s employees 

were female at the end of 2019. 

BATM  also  aims  to  provide  employment  for  people  drawn 
from  a  wide  range  of  socio-economic  backgrounds. 
For  example,  one  of  BATM’s  medical  diagnostic  testing 
subsidiaries in Israel has around 40% of its workforce drawn 
from  religious  and  ethnic  minorities  (a  significantly  higher 
proportion than within the country’s overall population).

Case studies

BATM agri-waste solutions provide poultry 
industry environmental and safety benefits
The  Group’s  expertise  in  the  provision  of  agri-waste 
treatment  solutions  for  the  poultry  industry  has  been 
increasingly recognised over the last year with the award 
of  three  significant  contracts  with  clients  based  in  the 
Philippines,  Taiwan  and  the  Middle  East.  The  Group’s 
technology  enables  its  customers  to  conduct  the  safe 
treatment  of  poultry  remains  onsite  without  the  use  of 
hazardous  materials,  chemicals  or  the  production  of 
odours. Production outputs can include valuable proteins 
that  can  be  applied  in  a  variety  of  ways  including  as 
agricultural  fertiliser.  This  is  a  growing  area  for  BATM, 
which  is  creating  a  new  multinational  client  base  for  the 
Group’s Eco-Med unit.

BATM produces COVID-19 diagnostics kits
BATM’s  commitment  to  the  development  of  medical 
technology to address urgent human medical issues was 
underlined in early 2020 by its contribution to combating 
the worldwide COVID-19 crisis. 

BATM developed a kit for COVID-19, as part of its MOLgen 
molecular diagnostics line. The kits are being produced at 
the Group’s Adaltis facility and shipping has commenced 
to medical facility customers based mainly in Europe. The 
kit has demonstrated excellent performance and provides 
test results in less than one hour.

In  addition,  BATM  entered  into  a  collaboration  with 
Novamed,  an  Israeli  life  sciences  company  operating 
in  the  in-vitro  rapid  diagnostics  market,  for  the  joint 
development and marketing of a rapid testing kit for home 
use diagnosing of COVID-19. The new kit, which will allow 
people  to  test  a  sputum  sample  and  receive  the  results 
within a few minutes, is under development and the parties 
anticipate that they will be available in the summer.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
DIRECTORS’ BIOGRAPHIES

Gideon Chitayat
Non-executive Chairman

Zvi Marom
Founder & CEO

Moti Nagar
Executive Director & CFO

Dr. Gideon Chitayat is the Chairman and 
CEO of GMBS Ltd, a strategic consulting 
firm. He served as a Chairman & director 
of  Delta  Galil 
Industries,  Milissron 
Shopping malls,  Paz Oil Company, Teva 
Israel  Pharmaceutical  Industries,  Bank 
Hapoalim  and  Israel  Aircraft  Industries. 
He  has  provided  consultancy  services 
in  business  strategy  to  the  board  and 
large  companies.  He 
presidents  of 
served as Adjunct Professor at Tel Aviv 
University,  Ricanaty  Business  School. 
Dr. Chitayat holds a Ph.D. in Business & 
Applied  Economics  from  the  University 
of  Pennsylvania,  Wharton  School  and 
a  Master’s 
in  Business  &  Applied 
Economics from the Hebrew University, 
Jerusalem. Dr. Chitayat joined the Board 
of BATM in June 2010 and was appointed 
Chairman  in  January  2015.  He  was 
re-elected as Director and Chairman of 
the Board in December 2019.

Dr.  Zvi  Marom  founded  BATM  in  1992. 
A  former  first  lieutenant  in  the  Israeli 
Navy,  he  graduated  with  excellence  in 
Electronics  from  the  Naval  Academy 
and with excellence from the Advanced 
Naval  Command  Course.  He  has  a 
post-graduate  degree 
in  medicine 
from  the  Sackler  –  Gold  Schlagger 
School  of  Medicine,  Israel  and  an  MSc 
in  Industrial  Electronics.  Dr.  Marom  is 
on  the  boards  of  several  national  and 
international  academic  committees  for 
computing  and  communications,  and 
is  the  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  the 
Israeli  Hi-Tech  &  Innovation  Industries 
Association  of 
the  Manufacturers’ 
Association  of  Israel.  He  is  currently  a 
director  of  Shore  Capital  Group  plc,  a 
UK  company  listed  in  Bermuda,  and 
receives  remuneration  for  his  services. 
Dr. Marom was re-elected as a Director 
of BATM in December 2019.

joined  BATM 

in  2014. 
Moti  Nagar 
Previously,  Mr.  Nagar  held  several 
management positions in Deloitte – Israel. 
As Senior Manager at Deloitte – Israel, he 
interfaced and handled the engagement 
leading  corporate 
relationships  with 
global  clients, 
including  companies 
traded  on  the  LSE,  NASDAQ,  TSE  and 
large private companies primarily in the 
industrial, services and energy sectors. 
Mr. Nagar also led and supported public 
offerings  of  corporations  in  Israel  and 
provided  advice  on  taxation,  including 
taxation.  Mr.  Nagar 
international 
graduated in Business Management and 
Accounting  and  qualified  as  an  Israeli 
Certified  Accountant  (CPA,  Israel)  in 
2008. He also holds an MBA in Financial 
Management  from  Tel  Aviv  University. 
Mr.  Nagar  does  not  serve  as  a  director 
in  any  other  publicly  listed  companies. 
He was re-elected as a Director of BATM 
in December 2019.

22   BATM  l  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  l  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   23

DIRECTORS’ BIOGRAPHIES CONTINUED

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 

Harel Locker
Non-executive Director & Senior 
Independent Director

Harel  Locker  served  as  the  Director 
General  of  the  Israeli  Prime  Minister’s 
Office  and  head  of  Prime  Minister 
Benjamin 
economic 
Netanyahu’s 
headquarters  between  2011  and  2015. 
Prior to this, he practiced law for almost 
20  years,  with  wide  experience  in  law 
and  finance  with  first  tier  law  firms  in 
both Tel Aviv and New York. Mr. Locker 
is  the  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Israel 
Aerospace  Industries  Ltd,  the  leading 
Israeli  corporation  in  the  aerospace 
and  defence  industry.  Mr.  Locker  was 
appointed  to  the  Board  of  BATM  in 
September  2016  and  his  first  three-
year  term  expired  in  September  2019. 
He was proposed for re-election by the 
Board  for  a  second  three-year  term,  in 
accordance  with  Israeli  law,  which  was 
approved by shareholders in December 
2019.

Ari Shamiss
Non-executive Director

Varda Shalev
Non-executive Director

Prof.  Varda  Shalev  is  a  specialist  in 
epidemiology,  medical 
informatics 
and  predictive  analytics  in  community 
healthcare.  She  is  a  director  of  the 
Morris  Kahn  &  Maccabi  Institute  for 
Health  Research  and  Innovation  and 
is  an  active  primary  care  physician. 
She  has  pioneered  the  development  of 
multiple  disease  registries  to  support 
chronic  disease  management,  and 
has  authored  or  co-authored  over  200 
publications  in  peer-reviewed  medical 
journals.  In  addition,  she  is  a  faculty 
member  at 
the  Tel  Aviv  University 
School  of  Public  Health,  sits  on  the 
advisory  board  of  several  med-tech 
businesses and is a director of the Israel 
Advanced  Technology  Industries.  She 
was appointed to the Board of BATM in 
November  2018  for  a  three-year  period 
as  an  external  director  in  accordance 
with Israeli law.

the 

Prof.  Ari  Shamiss  is  the  CEO  of  Assuta 
Medical  Centers, 
largest  private 
medical network in Israel, which consists 
of  eight  hospitals  and  medical  centres 
with more than $500m in annual revenue. 
He is a co-founder of Assuta Life Ventures 
(aLivE); is a board member of, and adviser 
to,  numerous  high-tech  companies;  and 
is  involved  in  several  global  business 
projects  in  healthcare  technology  and 
infrastructure.  Prof.  Shamiss  is  certified 
in  Internal  Medicine,  Hypertension  and 
Healthcare  Management  and  he  is  a 
Professor of Medicine and Vice Dean at 
Ben Gurion University School of Medicine 
in  these  disciplines,  with  more  than  60 
published  scientific  papers.  Previously, 
he  was  a  Director  of  Sheba  General 
Hospital at Tel Hashomer for 10 years and 
was  the  Surgeon  General  for  the  Israel 
Air  Force  (Col.  Ret.)  and  the  Director  of 
its  Aeromedical  Institute.  Prof.  Shamiss 
holds an MD from the Technion Institute 
and an MPA from Harvard University, and 
he  graduated  with  excellence  from  the 
US  Navy  Aerospace  Medical  Institute. 
He was appointed to the Board of BATM 
in November 2018 for a three-year period 
as  an  external  director  in  accordance 
with Israeli law.

24   BATM  l  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

Principal Activities

Corporate Governance Statement

BATM is focused on the development, production and marketing 
of  real-time  technologies  focusing  on  two  main  application 
areas:  Networking  &  Cyber  and  Bio-Medical.  Networking 
&  Cyber  includes  products  and  services  related  to  carrier 
ethernet,  NFV  and  cyber  network  monitoring  for  large  area 
networks.  Bio-Medical  includes  medical  diagnostic  solutions, 
bio-waste  treatment  and  sterilisation,  and  distribution  of  third 
party  medical  equipment  and  supplies.    BATM  has  offices  in 
North America, Israel and Europe.

Financial Statements

The  Directors  present  their  report  together  with  the  audited 
financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2019. The 
results of the year are set out in the consolidated statement of 
profit or loss. After reporting a $0.8 million amortisation of intan-
gible assets for the year, BATM recorded a profit of $3.3 million. 

Dividends

In  light  of  the  uncertainty  surrounding  COVID-19  and  the 
necessity  to  preserve  funds  for,  primarily,  investment  in  the 
Group’s development of its state-of-the-art Bio-Medical projects, 
the  Board  believes  it  is  prudent  not  to  declare  a  dividend  for 
2019. The Board will revisit its dividend policy once the global 
situation normalises and it has sufficient clarity of outlook, which 
could, depending on the financial position of the Group, include 
consideration of declaring an interim dividend for 2020.

Business and Strategic Review 

The  review  of  the  Group’s  business  operations,  including  key 
performance  indicators,  principal  risks  and  uncertainties, 
research  and  development  and  future  developments,  are  set 
out in the Strategic Report section on pages 4 to 22 together 
with this Directors’ Report.

Directors 

The  Directors  who  served  for  the  year  ended  31  December 
2019 and are currently serving are as follows:

•  Dr. Gideon Chitayat, Non-Executive Chairman 
•   Dr.  Zvi  Marom,  Executive  Director  and  Chief  Executive 

Officer

•  Moti Nagar, Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer 
•   Harel  Locker,  Non-Executive  External  Director  and  Senior 

Independent Director (SID) 

•   Prof. Ari Shamiss, Non-Executive External Director 
•   Prof. Varda Shalev, Non-Executive External Director

The  information  that  fulfils  the  requirement  of  the  corporate 
governance  statement  in  accordance  with  Rule  7.2  of  the 
Financial  Conduct  Authority’s  Disclosure  and  Transparency 
Rules  can  be  found  in  this  Directors’  Report  and  in  the 
Corporate Governance information on pages 28 to 34 which 
is incorporated into the Directors’ Report by reference.

Directors’ Remuneration and Interests

The  Directors’  remuneration  and  interests  are  set  out  in  the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 35 to 47.

Rules about appointment and replacement of 
Directors; Amendment of Articles

Pursuant to the Company’s articles of association and Israeli 
Companies Law, directors are elected at the Annual General 
Meeting by the vote of the holders of a majority of the voting 
power  represented  at  such  meeting  in  person  or  by  proxy 
and  voting  on  the  election  of  directors.  Appointments  to 
the  Board  are  subject  to  a  formal,  rigorous  and  transparent 
procedure  after  the  Company’s  Nomination  Committee  has 
considered  each  nominee  and  the  Company  gives  full  and 
transparent information and background to the shareholders 
on each candidate that it wishes to propose for election and/or 
re-election to the Board. Each director (except for the public 
external appointed directors) shall serve until the next Annual 
General  Meeting  following  the  Annual  General  Meeting  at 
which  such  director  was  appointed,  or  his  earlier  removal. 
The holders of a majority of the voting power represented at a 
General Meeting and voting thereon shall be entitled to remove 
any  director(s)  from  office,  to  elect  directors  in  place  of  the 
directors so removed or to fill any vacancy, however created, 
in the Board of directors by way of ordinary resolution. Non-
executive  public  “external”  directors,  as  defined  by  Israeli 
Company  Law,  are  appointed  and  elected  for  a  mandatory 
term of three years, which is renewable for no more than two 
further  terms  of  three  years  each.  The  appointment  of  the 
external  directors  must  be  approved  by  the  shareholders 
in  general  meeting.  The  Israeli  Companies  Law  defines  the 
procedures  and  conditions  for  re-election  of  external  non-
executive directors at the end of each three-year term, which 
are mandatory for the Company.  

Apart  from  the  authority  of  the  General  Meeting  to  remove 
a  director  from  office,  subject  to  giving  such  director  a 
reasonable opportunity to present his position to the General 
Meeting, under the Company’s articles, the office of a director 
shall be vacated ipso facto, upon his death, or if he be found 

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2019   25
ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2018  25

DIRECTORS’ REPORT CONTINUED

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 

to be of unsound mind, or becomes bankrupt or if he becomes 
prohibited by law from being a director in a public company.

The two Executive Directors, being the CEO, Dr. Zvi Marom, 
and the CFO, Mr. Moti Nagar, as well as the Chairman of the 
Board,  Dr.  Gideon  Chitayat,  were  re-elected  at  the  Annual 
General Meeting of 5 December 2019 until the following AGM 
and  will  be  proposed  for  re-election  at  the  Annual  General 
Meeting of 2020.  Their biographies appear on page 23 above. 
The  term  of  Dr.  Marom’s  management  services  contract 
will  expire  on  31  December  2020.  The  CFO’s  employment 
contract as well as the Chairman’s engagement contract are 
for  undefined  terms  and  can  be  terminated  by  prior  notice 
by  either  party.  During  the  year  under  review  there  were  no 
changes to the significant commitments of the Chairman.   

Under the Israeli Companies Law, a company may amend its 
articles by a simple majority of the shareholders at a General 
Meeting. Any proposed amendments to the articles regarding 
modification of rights attached to shares of the Company and/
or  dividing  the  share  capital  into  various  classes  of  shares 
requires  the  approval  of  the  holders  of  75%  of  the  issued 
shares in the Company.

Going Concern

After  making  enquiries,  the  Directors  have  a  reasonable 
expectation that the Company and the Group will be able to 
operate within the level of available facilities and cash for the 
foreseeable  future.  Accordingly,  they  continue  to  adopt  the 
going concern basis in preparing the accounts.

Viability Statement

The Directors have assessed the Company and the Group’s 
viability  over  a  period  of  three  years.  In  making  their 
assessment,  the  Directors  took  account  of  the  Company 
and  the  Group’s  current  financial  and  operational  positions 
and contracted capital expenditure. They also assessed the 
potential  financial  and  operational  impacts,  in  severe  but 
plausible  scenarios,  of  the  principal  risks  and  uncertainties 
set  out  on  page  13  and  the  likely  degree  of  effectiveness 
of  current  and  available  mitigating  actions.  Based  on  this 
assessment,  the  Directors  have  a  reasonable  expectation 
that the Company and the Group will be able to continue in 
operation  and  meet  all  their  liabilities  as  they  fall  due  up  to 
three years as above. 

In  making  this  statement,  the  Directors  have  also  made  key 
assumptions (see note 4 to the financial statements).

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

the  Directors’  Remuneration  Report  and 

The  Directors  are  responsible  for  preparing  the  Annual 
Report, 
the 
financial statements in accordance with applicable laws and 
regulations.  The  Directors  are  required  to  prepare  financial 
statements  for  the  Group  in  accordance  with  International 
Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International 
accounting  standard  Board  (IFRS).  Israeli  company  law 
requires the Directors to prepare and approve such financial 
statements.

International  Accounting  Standard  1  requires  that  financial 
statements present fairly for each financial year the Company’s 
financial position, financial performance and cash flows. This 
requires the faithful representation of the effects of transactions, 
other events and conditions in accordance with the definitions 
and  recognition  criteria  for  assets,  liabilities,  income  and 
expenses  set  out  in  the  International  Accounting  Standards 
Board’s  ‘Framework  for  the  Preparation  and  Presentation  of 
Financial  Statements’.  In  virtually  all  circumstances,  a  true 
and fair presentation will be achieved by compliance with all 
applicable International Financial Reporting Standards. 

Directors are also required to:
•  properly select and apply accounting policies;
•   present  information,  including  accounting  policies,  in  a 
manner  that  provides  relevant,  reliable,  comparable  and 
understandable information; 

•   make an assessment of the Company’s ability to continue 
as  a  going  concern  and  disclose  where  they  consider  it 
appropriate; and

•   provide  additional  disclosures  when  compliance  with  the 
specific requirements in IFRS is insufficient to enable users 
to  understand  the  impact  of  particular  transactions,  other 
events and conditions on the entity’s financial position and 
financial performance.

The Directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting 
records  which  disclose  with  reasonable  accuracy  at  any 
time the financial position of the Company, for safeguarding 
the  assets,  for  taking  reasonable  steps  for  the  prevention 
and  detection  of  fraud  and  other  irregularities  and  for  the 
preparation of a Directors’ Report and Directors’ Remuneration 
Report which comply with the Listing Rules and the Disclosure 
and Transparency rules.

Each  of  the  Directors  confirms  to  the  best  of  his  or  her 
knowledge:

1.   the  financial  statements,  prepared  in  accordance  with 
International Financial Reporting Standards, give a true and 
fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit 
or  loss  of  the  Company  and  the  undertakings  included  in 
the consolidation taken as a whole; 

2.   the strategic report includes a fair review of the development 
and  performance  of  the  business  and  the  position  of  the 
Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation 
taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal 
risks and uncertainties they face; and

3.   the  annual  report  and  financial  statements,  taken  as  a 
whole, are fair, balanced, and understandable, and provide 
the  information  necessary  for  shareholders  to  assess  the 
Company’s  position,  performance,  business  model  and 
strategy.

Accountability and Audit

Brightman  Almagor  Zohar  &  Co.  (the  Firm),  Certified  Public 
Accountants, a Firm in the Deloitte Global Network, serves as 
the Company’s auditor. In accordance with the Firm’s policies, 
based on the IESBA Code, the audit engagement partner must 
be  rotated  after  no  more  than  seven  years  of  service  in  that 
role. The most recent audit partner rotation occurred in 2018.

The Directors’ Report has been brought for review to the Board 
and  has  been  approved  in  its  present  form.  The  Directors’ 
Report is signed on behalf of the Board by:

Dr. Zvi Marom
Executive Director & CEO
30 April 2020

in 

Israel  governing 
Legislation 
dissemination  of  financial  statements  may  differ 
legislation in other jurisdictions.

the  preparation  and 
from 

26   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT &  ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT &  ACCOUNTS 2019   27

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

The  Company  is  committed  to  high  standards  of  corporate 
governance and the Board is accountable to the Company’s 
shareholders  for  such  governance.  The  Board  carefully 
reviews all new regulations relating to the principles of good 
corporate governance and practice and endeavours to apply 
them  where  applicable.  Specifically,  during  2019  the  Board 
took  diligent  measures  to  study  and  receive  advice  from  its 
UK legal advisers on the new UK 2018 Corporate Governance 
Code (the “Code”) in order to understand the new principles of 
good corporate governance under the Code and to organise 
itself towards implementation of those principles. The Board 
held a special session during 2019 on the new Code at which 
the  Company's  UK  legal  adviser  (Mr.  Avram  Kelman  of  the 
Fladgate LLP law firm in London) participated. Mr. Kelman had 
distributed  to  all  the  directors  an  executive  summary  of  the 
new principles under the new Code and gave an overview of 
this subject matter to the Board. There was general discussion 
and  Mr.  Kelman  answered  any  questions  addressed  to  him 
by  members  of  the  Board.  It  also  carefully  reviews  any 
comments  received  from  independent  reviewing  agencies 
and shareholders and communicates with them directly. The 
Company believes that the combination of the experience of 
its Chairman, Dr. Gideon Chitayat, as well as the experience 
and expertise of its external directors provides the Company 
with the relevant leadership to address its position as an Israeli 
company that is traded on the London Stock Exchange. The 
Company, as a company with a Premium Listing and therefore 
subject to Listing Rule 9.8.6R, is subject to the provisions of 
the  Code  published  by  the  Financial  Reporting  Council,  a 
copy of which is available from the FRC’s website at https://
www.frc.org.uk.

This Corporate Governance Report outlines how the Company 
has  applied  the  Main  Principles  set  out  in  the  Code  as 
amended by the UK Financial Reporting Council in April 2018.

Compliance with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code 

Throughout the year ended 31 December 2019, and through 
to the date of approval of the financial statements, the Board 
considers that the Company has complied with the provisions 
set out in the Code with the exception of the matters referred 
to  on  page  29.  Further  explanation  of  how  the  Company  has 
applied the principles and supporting provisions of the Code is 
set out below and in the Directors’ Remuneration Report.

The  Company’s  responsibilities  under 
Israeli  Company 
legislation is such that it is obliged to appoint two independent 
non-executive directors (defined as “external directors” within 
Israeli  law),  who  must  be  appointed  for  a  minimum  of  one 

28   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT &  ACCOUNTS 2019

three-year  term,  which  may  be  extended  by  the  Company 
for  no  more  than  two  additional  terms  of  three  years  each. 
With  the  exception  of  the  “external”  non-executive  directors 
who  serve  for  a  period  of  three  years  in  accordance  with 
Israeli  company  law,  all  directors  have  to  be  re-elected  by 
the shareholders at an AGM, if proposed for re-election. The 
Israeli Companies Law sets forth the grounds for removing an 
external director from office as well as rules for re-election of 
the  external  directors  and  the  Company  believes  that  these 
provisions are compatible with the requirements of the Code.

The  current  independent  Non-executive  Directors  which 
qualify as “external directors” under Israeli law are Mr. Harel 
Locker (who is also the Senior Independent Director), Prof. Ari 
Shamiss  and  Prof.  Varda  Shalev.  Mr.  Locker  was  re-elected 
for a second term of three years at the AGM of 5 December 
2019  after  his  first  term  expired  in  September  2019.  Profs. 
Shamiss  and  Shalev  were  appointed  for  a  term  of  three 
years in November 2018. As will be seen below, the various 
Committees  of  the  Board  are  comprised  of  the  external 
directors,  which  guarantees  full  independence  while  these 
Committees perform their corporate functions in the Company. 
The  Company  continues  to  consider  that  the  three  external 
directors currently in office are independent in character and 
judgment and no circumstances or matters exist which would 
compromise  such  independence.  In  addition,  the  Company 
considers  that  through  its  maintaining  a  continual  “mix”  of 
experience, disciplines in business development, technology 
the  bio-medical  and  diagnostics  areas), 
(especially 
entrepreneurship  and  risk  management  capabilities  in  the 
members  of  its  Board,  the  Company  has  applied  Principles 
A - E and K of the Code. 

in 

The Board – leadership and effectiveness

The  Board,  which  currently  comprises  two  executive  and 
four  non-executive  Directors  including  the  Chairman,  is 
responsible  collectively  for  the  long-term  success  of  the 
Company. In compliance with Israeli company legislation the 
Board meets at least four times a year in formal session. Prior 
to  each  meeting,  the  Board  is  furnished  with  information  in 
a  form  and  quality  appropriate  for  it  to  discharge  its  duties 
concerning the state of the business and performance. 

The Israeli Companies Law, which applies to the Company, sets 
out and defines the responsibilities and duties of, and areas 
of decision for, the Board. These include approval of financial 
statements;  dividends;  Board  appointments  and  removals; 
long-term  objectives  and  commercial  strategy;  changes  in 
capital  structure;  appointment,  removal  and  compensation 

 (continued on page 30)

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 

Provision

Exception and explanation

5  Engagement  with  the  workforce  via  a  director 
appointed from the workforce, a formal workforce 
advisory  panel  or  a  designated  non-executive 
director.

14  The  responsibilities  of 
the  chair,  chief 
executive,  senior  independent  director,  board 
and committees should be clear, set out in writing, 
agreed by the board and made publicly available.

18  All  directors  should  be  subject  to  annual 
re-election.

19  The  chair  should  not  remain  in  post  beyond 
nine years from the date of their first appointment 
to the board. 

The  Board  has  not  implemented  one  of  the  prescribed  methods,  however, 
during  the  year,  it  established  a  CSR  Committee  with  responsibility  (among 
other matters) for workforce engagement. Further detail on how BATM engages 
with  its  workforce  can  be  found  in  the  ‘Conducting  Business  Responsibly’ 
section on pages 20 to 22. In addition, the Group has a VP Human Resources in 
each subsidiary, which is responsible for engaging with, and keeping the senior 
management informed of matters pertaining to, the workforce. Employees also 
have access to the internal auditor to make any complaint of wrongdoing via the 
whistleblowing procedure.

The Group has not adopted a formal schedule of responsibilities for the roles of 
Chairman and CEO as the Israeli Companies Law, which applies to the Group, 
sets out and defines the responsibilities and duties of the directors and the CEO. 
Nonetheless, the Group intends to prepare a defined schedule of responsibilities 
for consideration and adoption by the Board in 2020.

In accordance with Israeli law, the Group is required to appoint two independent 
non-executive directors (defined as “external directors” within Israeli law), who 
must  be  appointed  for  a  minimum  of  one  three-year  term.  Mr.  Harel  Locker, 
Prof.  Ari  Shamiss  and  Prof.  Varda  Shalev  are  classified  as  external  directors 
and cannot be subject to annual re-election. All other members of the Board 
(excluding  the  “external”  non-executive  directors)  are  subject  to  annual 
re-election.

As  of  June  2019,  Dr.  Gideon  Chitayat,  Chairman,  has  served  on  the  Board 
for nine years – five of these as Chairman. Dr. Chitayat was appointed to the 
Board  as  Independent  Non-Executive  Director  and  the  Board  continues  to 
consider  him  as  independent  in  character  and  judgement,  and  there  are  no 
relationships or circumstances that could affect his judgement. His knowledge 
of the business and the understanding of its various components, which is built 
on his experience, combined with his independence of mind, enables a critical 
review  of  strategy  and  operations.  In  addition,  his  vast  business  experience, 
expertise and knowledge of directing large business organisations within Israel 
is a valuable resource for the Board and the Group as a whole. As a result, the 
Board believes that Dr. Chitayat remaining as Chairman is in the best of interests 
of the Group and of shareholders.

21 A regular externally facilitated Board evaluation. Currently  in  the  Israeli  corporate  business  environment  there  are  no  external 
“evaluators” that can provide such a service. The Group is considering methods 
for implementing this provision.

34  The  remuneration  of  non-executive  directors 
should  be  determined  in  accordance  with  the 
Articles  of  Association  or,  alternatively,  by  the 
board.

In accordance with Israeli law, the Board when approving the nomination of a 
new “external” non-executive director determines the remuneration to be paid 
within  a  set  range  set  forth  in  the  Regulations  promulgated  under  the  Israeli 
Companies Law (that is based on the size of the company and the professional 
qualifications or expertise of the nominee director).

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT &  ACCOUNTS 2019   29

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT CONTINUED

Board and committee activities in 2019 were as follows:

Meetings

Attendance

Board of Directors

Audit Committee

Remuneration Committee

Nomination Committee

8*

5

1

–

All  Directors  attended  100%  of  the  Board  meetings  during  2019  except  for  the 
absence  of  Mr.  Harel  Locker  from  one  Board  meeting,  due  to  a  last-minute  trip 
overseas. (* This includes 1 teleconference Board meeting of 24/6/2019)

All Audit Committee members attended 100% of meetings during 2019, except for 
the absence of Mr. Harel Locker from one meeting.

All Remuneration Committee members attended the meeting during 2019.

of senior management; major investments including mergers 
and  acquisitions;  risk  management;  corporate  governance; 
engagement  of  professional  advisers;  political  donations; 
and internal control arrangements. The ultimate responsibility 
for reviewing and approving the annual report and financial 
statements,  and  for  ensuring  that  they  present  a  balanced 
assessment of the Company’s position, lies with the Board. 
These  provisions  have  been  fully  complied  with.  In  light  of 
the  Code  coming  into  effect  as  of  the  2019  financial  year 
and  in  order  to  improve  good  corporate  governance  and 
practice,  the  Board  adopted  during  2019  a  newly  drafted 
Terms  of  Reference  of  the  role  and  duties  of  the  Board,  in 
order to better comply with the principles of the Code.

In  addition,  the  Audit  Committee  as  well  as  the  Directors 
review and assess on an annual basis, the performance of 
the  external  auditors,  their  independence,  reasonableness 
of their audit fees as compared with peer tier 1 accountancy 
offices  in  Israel  and  make  recommendations  to  be  brought 
forward to the shareholders’ meeting as to the appointment, 
or reappointment, or replacement of the external auditors of 
the Group. While the Audit Committee as part of its activity 
reviews  and  monitors  the  external  auditor’s  independence 
and objectivity (see page 32) there is no requirement under 
Israeli  law  and  regulations  and  it  is  not  common  market 
practice  in  Israel  to  have  maximum  terms  for  auditors. 
Rotation of external auditors is not accepted practice in the 
Israeli  market  and  the  Company  is  not  subject  to  EU  audit 
regulations  that  relate  to  rotation  of  the  external  auditors. 
However,  to  facilitate  auditor  independence,  the  audit 
engagement  partner  must  be  rotated  after  no  more  than 
seven  years  of  service  in  that  role.  The  most  recent  audit 
partner rotation occurred in 2018.

In accordance with section B.5.1. of the Code, independent 
outside counsel is also present at every Board meeting and 
Board committee meetings.

The  Board  carried  out  a  review  of  its  own  effectiveness 

30   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT &  ACCOUNTS 2019

and  that  of  its  various  committees  during  the  year  and 
an  evaluation  of  the  performance  of  each  member  of  the 
Board.  The  review  was  facilitated  by  the  Chairman  of  the 
Board  who  reviewed  the  performance  of  each  Director, 
his/her  knowledge  and  comprehension  of  the  nature  of  the 
Group’s business, how the Board works together and other 
factors  relevant  to  its  effectiveness  without  the  Executive 
Directors  being  present  at  the  meeting.  The  SID  (Mr.  Harel 
Locker) carried out a review of the Chairman’s performance 
during  the  year  under  review  after  considering  the  views 
of  the  Executive  Directors  within  the  deliberations  of  the 
Remuneration Committee. In light of the recommendations of 
the Code to have an externally facilitated Board evaluation, 
the Company is considering methods for implementing this 
recommendation. Currently in the Israeli corporate business 
environment  there  are  no  external  “evaluators”  that  can 
provide such a service.

The  Board  comprises  six  Directors,  four  of  whom  are  Non- 
executive  Directors,  under  the  chairmanship  of  Dr.  Gideon 
Chitayat.  Under  the  Israeli  Companies  Law,  the  maximum 
tenure for external non-executive directors is nine years subject 
to stringent and transparent procedures for proposing their 
re-election at the Annual General Meeting at the end of each 
three year term. In this respect the Company believes that it 
complies with the Main Principles of the Code. The Board’s 
members have a wide breadth of experience in areas relating 
to the Company’s activities and the Non-executive Directors 
in  particular  bring  additional  expertise  to  matters  affecting 
the Company. All of the Directors are of a high calibre and 
standing.  The  biographies  of  all  the  members  of  the  Board 
are set out on pages 23 to 24. The interests of the Directors 
in the Company and their shareholdings are set out on page 
45.  All  of  the  Non-executive  Directors  are  independent 
of  management  and  not  involved  in  any  business  or  other 
relationship that could materially interfere with the exercise of 
their independent judgment. The Board is of the opinion that 

each of its members has the skills, knowledge, aptitude and 
experience to perform the functions required of a director of 
a listed company and that the Board is comprised of a good 
balance of Executive and Non-executive Directors.

The  induction  of  newly  elected  Directors  into  office  is 
the  responsibility  of  the  Chairman  of  the  Board.  The  new 
Directors receive a memorandum on the responsibilities and 
liabilities  of  Directors  from  the  Company’s  general  counsel 
as well as presentations on all activities of the Company by 
senior  members  of  management  and  a  guided  tour  of  the 
Company’s premises. 

All Directors are invited to visit the Company premises and 
its operating facilities.

The  Directors  receive  periodically  a  detailed  operating 
report  on  the  performance  of  the  Company  in  the  relevant 
period,  including  a  consolidated  statement  of  financial 
position. A fuller report on the trading and quarterly results 
of the Company is provided at every Board meeting. Once 
per year a budget is discussed and approved by the Board 
for  the  following  year.  All  Directors  are  properly  briefed  on 
issues arising at Board meetings and any further information 
requested by a Director is always made available.

The  Company  has  an  experienced  Company  Secretary, 
Mr.  Arthur  Moher,  who  is  also  one  of  the  Company’s  legal 
advisers  and  all  the  Directors  have  access  to  Mr.  Moher’s 
services. 

The Directors may take independent professional advice at 
the Company’s expense in furtherance of their duties.

With respect to succession of the Board members, it is the 
role of the Nomination Committee (see page 33) to identify 
succession planning. Non-executive Directors are replaced 
regularly  in  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  Israeli 
legislation in respect of the appointment of qualified external 
directors for a three-year period and the ongoing obligation 
to replace them regularly as the term of their office expires.

The  Board  also  works  to  ensure  that  within  the  Group 
there  exists  a  culture  that  is  free  from  discrimination  and 
harassment  in  any  form.  The  Board  ensures  that  the 
Company  complies  with  Israeli  legislation  known  as  the 
Israeli  Equal  Rights  for  People  with  Disabilities  Law,  5748-
1988  to  ensure  that  appropriate  consideration  is  given  to 
employees  with  disabilities.  The  Company  is  also  in  full 
compliance with Israeli legislation known as the Employment 
(Equal  Opportunities)  Law,  5758-1998,  which  requires 
an  employer  not  to  discriminate  amongst  employees  on 
account of sex, sexual tendencies, personal status and any 

other  forms  of  discrimination.  As  of  31  December  2019,  of 
the  total  workforce  across  the  Group  65%  of  employees 
were  female  and  25%  of  the  total  executive  management 
positions  were  held  by  females.  In  addition,  the  Group 
encourages  employment  for  people  drawn  from  a  wide 
range  of  socioeconomic  backgrounds.  For  example,  one 
of  its  medical  diagnostic  testing  subsidiaries  in  Israel  has 
approximately 40% of its workforce drawn from religious and 
ethnic minorities (a significantly higher proportion than within 
the country’s overall population). 

Relations with Shareholders and 
Significant Shareholders

Communication with shareholders is given high priority. The 
half-yearly and annual results are intended to give a detailed 
review of the business and developments, and are available 
on the Company’s website to all shareholders. Printed copies 
of  the  full  Annual  Report  are  made  available  on  request. 
The  Company’s  website  (www.batm.com)  contains  up  to 
date information on the Company’s activities and published 
financial  results.  The  Company  solicits  regular  dialogue 
with  institutional  shareholders  (other  than  during  closed 
periods) to understand shareholders views. The Board also 
uses  the  Annual  General  Meeting  to  communicate  with  all 
shareholders and welcomes their participation. Directors are 
available to meet with shareholders at appropriate times. The 
Company is committed to having a constructive engagement 
with its shareholders.

As  of  31  December  2019,  to  the  best  of  the  Company’s 
knowledge, the following persons or entities had a significant 
holding of BATM ordinary shares:

•  Dr. Zvi Marom, the Company’s CEO and founder – 21.98%

•  Lombard Odier Investment Managers – 25.55%

•  Legal & General Investment Management – 5.27% 

•  Herald Investment Management – 5.49%

Committees

As required by the provisions of the Israeli Companies Law, 
the Board has appointed an Audit Committee, a Remuneration 
Committee  and  a  Nomination  Committee  to  deal  with 
specific  aspects  of  the  Company’s  affairs  and  ensures 
that each such Committee is fully constituted and operates 
as  required  under  the  Israeli  Companies  Law.  In  addition, 
during  the  year  under  review,  the  Board  appointed  a  new 
Corporate  Social  Responsibility  &  Environment  Committee 
(“CSR Committee”) to better deal with social, environmental, 
health and safety practices, diversity and similar matters with 

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT &  ACCOUNTS 2019   31

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT CONTINUED

respect  to  the  way  the  Company  conducts  itself,  in  order 
to  meet  the  requirements  of  the  Code.  As  of  31  December 
2019, the composition of the aforementioned Committees are 
as detailed below.

Audit Committee

Members:  Mr.  Harel  Locker,  Prof.  Ari  Shamiss  and  Prof. 
Varda Shalev
Chairman: Mr. Harel Locker
The  Chairman  of  the  Audit  Committee  has  significant 
financial  expertise  and  experience.  The  Committee’s  terms 
of  reference  include,  among  other  things,  monitoring  the 
scope and results of the external audit, the review of interim 
and  annual  results,  the  involvement  of  the  external  auditors 
in  those  processes,  review  of  whistle  blowing  procedures, 
considering compliance with legal requirements, accounting 
standards  and  the  Listing  Rules  of  the  Financial  Conduct 
Authority,  and  for  advising  the  Board  on  the  requirement 
to  maintain  an  effective  system  of  internal  controls.  The 
Committee  also  keeps  under  review  the  independence  and 
objectivity of the Group’s external auditors, value for money 
of  the  audit  and  the  nature,  extent  and  cost-  effectiveness 
of  the  non-audit  services  provided  by  the  auditors  (see 
note  9  to  the  financial  statements).  Pursuant  to  section  117 
(6)  of  the  Israeli  Companies  Law,  the  Audit  Committee  is 
responsible  to  fix  procedures  and  policy  for  whistleblowing 
and  to  oversee  these  procedures.    In  April  2017  the  Audit 
Committee  adopted  a  whistleblowing  procedure  and  policy 
which applies to all employees in the Group. Under the policy, 
the internal auditor (which is an independent external service 
provider to the Company) was appointed as the Administrator 
of the policy authorized to receive and investigate complaints 
or  concerns  from  employees  in  the  Group  with  respect  to 
wrongdoing.    The  policy  established  a  “hot  line”  through 
which any employee can approach the Administrator directly 
and  independently.  During  the  year  under  review  the  Audit 
Committee  received  no  reports  from  the  Administrator  on 
whistleblowing complaints from employees in the Group.   The 
Audit Committee regularly reports to the Board which retains 
overall oversight on the proper workings of this procedure in 
the Group.

The  Committee  has  discussed  with  the  external  auditors 
their 
independence,  and  has  received  and  reviewed 
written  disclosures  from  the  external  auditors  regarding 
independence. Non-audit work is generally put out to tender. 
In cases which are significant, the Company engages another 
independent firm of accountants to provide consulting work 
to  avoid  the  possibility  that  the  auditors’  objectivity  and 

32   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT &  ACCOUNTS 2019

independence  could  be  compromised;  work  is  only  carried 
out  by  the  auditors  in  cases  where  they  are  best  suited  to 
perform the work, for example, tax compliance. However, from 
time to time, the Company will engage the auditors on matters 
relating  to  acquisition  accounting  and  due  diligence  (the 
scope of which is very limited), thus ensuring the continued 
objectivity and independence of the external auditors.

The  Committee  meets  at  least  twice  a  year,  and  always 
prior  to  the  announcement  of  interim  or  annual  results.  The 
external auditors, internal auditor and Chief Financial Officer 
are  invited  to  attend  all  meetings  in  order  to  ensure  that  all 
the information required by the Committee is available for it 
to operate effectively and the Audit Committee reports back 
to  the  Board.  The  external  auditor  communicates  with  the 
members  of  the  Audit  Committee  during  the  year,  without 
executive  officers  present.  The  Committee  also  meets  with 
representatives  of  the  Company’s  external  auditors  at  least 
twice  per  year  and  raises  on  a  regular  basis  any  issues  it 
has  with  the  review  and/or  audit  carried  out  by  the  external 
auditors  and  comments  on  specific  issues  it  believes  the 
auditors should be focusing on.

to 

the 

The  Audit  Committee  adheres 
functions  and 
requirements prescribed to it by the Israeli Companies Law 
and  Israeli  Regulations  as  well  as  to  the  specific  Terms  of 
Reference adopted by the Board for this committee and takes 
account  of  the  relevant  provisions  of  the  FCA’s  Disclosure 
Guidance  and  Transparency  Rules  and  the  Code.  The 
Chairman  of  the  Audit  Committee  maintains  close  contact 
with the Company on a regular basis.

Remuneration Committee

Members:  Prof.  Ari  Shamiss,  Mr.  Harel  Locker  and  Prof. 
Varda Shalev
Chairman: Prof. Ari Shamiss
The  Company’s  Remuneration  Committee  is  constituted  in 
accordance  with  the  recommendations  of  the  Governance 
Code. The Committee consists of three out of the four Non- 
executive Directors and excludes the Chairman as is required 
under Israeli Company Law. None of the Committee members 
have any personal financial interests or conflicts of interests 
arising from cross-directorships or day-to-day involvement in 
running the business.

None of the Directors play a part in any determination of their 
own remuneration.

The Committee has responsibility for making recommendations 
to the Board on the Company’s policy on staff remuneration 
and for the determination, within agreed terms of reference, 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 

of  specific  remuneration  packages  for  the  Chairman  of  the 
Company  and  each  of  the  Executive  Directors  (including 
pension rights and any compensation payments).

The primary responsibilities of the Committee are to ensure:

1.  That  individual  pay  levels  for  Executive  Directors  should 
generally  be  in  line  with  levels  of  pay  for  executives  in 
similar  companies  with  similar  performance  achievement 
and responsibilities.

2.  That  share  option  and  bonus  schemes  should  be  set  at  a 
level  that  provides  sufficient  incentive  to  the  executive  to 
produce  results  that  will  reflect  and  exceed  the  Board’s 
expectations,  and  be  appropriately  balanced  alongside 
fixed-level and more immediate remuneration. Currently as 
explained below in the Directors’ Remuneration Report, the 
vesting  period  for  share  options  is  over  a  three-year  term. 
This  period  is  very  customary  and  recognised  in  Israeli 
industry and changing this to a longer vesting period, such 
as  a  five-year  period,  would  adversely  affect  the  Group's 
ability  to  compete  in  recruiting  experienced  and  highly 
skilled  managers  and  executives.    This  vesting  period  (as 
part of the Remuneration Policy) is brought for approval by 
an independent vote of the shareholders.

3.  That total pay and long-term remuneration will be sufficient 

to retain executives who perform.

4.  That aggregate pay for all Executive Directors is reasonable 
in  light  of  the  Company’s  size  and  performance  and  is 
compatible with the Company’s risk policies and systems.

Information  of  the  Company’s  policy  regarding  the  setting 
of  Directors’  remuneration  together  with  the  remuneration  of 
Directors is set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on 
pages 35 to 47. The Company’s current remuneration policy 
as  recommended  by  the  Remuneration  Committee  was 
approved at the Annual General Meeting of the Company in 
October 2017. The remuneration policy is more fully explained 
below in the Directors’ Remuneration Report.

Nomination Committee

Members: Dr. Gideon Chitayat, Prof. Varda Shalev and Prof. 
Ari Shamiss
Chairman: Prof. Varda Shalev 
In  addition  to  the  Company’s  diversity  policy  for  existing 
employees, the Nomination Committee is specifically tasked 
with assessing the process utilised by the Company in relation 
to  Board  appointments  and  in  monitoring  diversity  during 
the  recruitment  process  and  in  the  context  of  the  resulting 
appointment  made.  During  the  process,  the  Nomination 

Committee prepares a description of the role and capabilities 
required  for  a  particular  appointment  while  evaluating  the 
balance  of  skills  and  experience  in  identifying  a  candidate 
pool  and  in  the  recruitment  of  Board  members  from  such 
potential candidates, with consideration given to the balance 
of  skills,  experience,  independence  and  knowledge  on  the 
Board.  Board  appointments  are  made  on  merit  set  against 
objective criteria having due regard, amongst other things, to 
the  benefits  of  diversity  on  the  Board,  including  gender.  As 
at  31  December  2019,  there  was  one  female  on  the  Board 
(representing 16.6% of Board membership).

Prior  to  the  date  of  expiration  of  office  of  a  non-executive 
director  or  in  cases  of  early  resignation  of  a  director,  the 
Committee  considers 
the  necessary  skills,  experience, 
expertise  and  gender  required  of  potential  candidates  and 
prepares  a  list  of  potential  candidates.  Since  Israel  is  a 
relatively  small  country,  it  is  quite  easy  for  the  Nomination 
Committee  to  obtain  recommendations  through  objective 
professional  directors  in  various  industries  of  persons  that 
could  fit  the  requirements  needed  by  the  Company.  Once 
this is done, a number of appropriate candidates (who have 
relevant  experience  in  those  lines  of  business  in  which  the 
Company is engaged and the personal qualifications that fit 
the Company) are interviewed by the Chairman of the Board. 
After  the  interview,  the  Nomination  Committee  presents  its 
recommendations to the Board which, if deemed necessary, 
may expand on the interview and research process in order 
to find the optimum candidate for the office of director in the 
Company.  Generally,  no  external  search  consultancy  firm  is 
used  or  advertisement  published  by  the  Company,  for  the 
reasons explained above.

CSR Committee

Members: Dr. Gideon Chitayat, Prof. Varda Shalev and Prof. 
Ari Shamiss
Chairman: Dr. Gideon Chitayat
During the year under review, the Board after studying the new 
principles  set  forth  in  the  new  Code  deemed  it  appropriate 
to  appoint  this  Committee  and  the  Board  adopted  specific 
Terms of Reference for this Committee’s role and duties.  The 
primary role of the CSR Committee is to assist the Board in:

•   Understanding  the  views  of  key  shareholders  in  the 

Company;

•   Understanding  the  Company’s  impact  on  community  and 

environment; and

•   Ensuring that the Board is aware of the processes used by 

the Company in engaging with its key shareholders.

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT &  ACCOUNTS 2019   33

improving controls and corporate responsibility and the Board 
instructs  management  to  implement  the  recommendations. 
During  the  year  under  review,  the  internal  auditor  presented 
reports  to  the  Audit  Committee  on  the  following  subject 
matters:  (a)  employees’  salary,  recruitment  procedures  and 
assessment of the risks in one of the Company’s main software 
house  subsidiaries  in  Israel  and  (b)  the  insurance  coverage 
and risk management of the BATM Group.   

The  key  features  of  the  financial  controls  of  the  Company 
include  a  comprehensive  system  of  financial  reporting, 
budgeting and forecasting, and clearly laid down accounting 
policies and procedures. The main elements of internal control 
currently include:

•   Operating Controls: The identification and mitigation of major 
business  risks  on  a  daily  basis  is  the  responsibility  of  the 
Executive Directors and senior management. Each business 
function within the Group maintains controls and procedures, 
as  directed  by  senior  management,  appropriate  to  its  own 
business  environment  while  conforming  to  the  Company’s 
standards  and  guidelines.  These  include  procedures  and 
guidelines to identify, evaluate the likelihood of and mitigate 
all types of risks on an ongoing basis.

•   Information  and  Communication:  The  Group  operating 
procedures  include  a  comprehensive  system  for  reporting 
financial  and  non-financial  information  to  the  Directors. 
Financial projections, including revenue and profit forecasts, 
are  reported  on  a  monthly  basis  to  senior  management 
compared with corresponding results for previous periods. 
The  central  process  for  evaluating  and  managing  non- 
financial  risk  is  monthly  meetings  of  business  functions, 
each  involving  at  least  one  Director,  together  with  periodic 
meetings of Executive Directors and senior management.

•   Finance  Management:  The  finance  department  operates 
within  policies  approved  by  the  Directors  and  the  Chief 
Financial  Officer.  Expenditures  are  tightly  controlled  with 
stringent approvals required based on amount. Duties such 
as  legal,  finance,  sales  and  operations  are  also  strictly 
segregated to minimise risk.

•   Insurance: 

Insurance  coverage 

is  provided  externally 
and  depends  on  the  scale  of  the  risk  in  question  and  the 
availability of coverage in the external market.

The  Duties  of  the  Committee  pursuant  to  its  Terms  of 
Reference are:

•   To assess and monitor culture to ensure alignment with the 

Company’s purposes, values and strategy; 

•   To be responsible for interaction and engagement with the 
workforce on behalf of the Board, as and when relevant, in 
order for the Board to comply with Provision 5 of the Code;

•   To  oversee  and  monitor  and  help  generate  a  Company’s 

health and safety systems and practices; and

•   To help the Board understand the impact of the Company’s 
operations  on  the  community,  environment,  green-eco 
policies.  The Committee is obligated to report periodically 
to the Board on the Committee’s work and activities.

Conflicts

Throughout 2019 the Company has complied with procedures 
in  place  for  ensuring  that  the  Board’s  powers  to  authorise 
conflict situations have been operated effectively and this has 
also been considered at a committee level where appropriate. 
During 2019, no conflicts arose that would require the Board 
to exercise authority or discretion in relation to such conflicts.

Risk Management and Internal Control

Risk management is currently reviewed on an ongoing basis by 
the Board as a whole. The Company has an ongoing process 
for  identifying,  evaluating  and  managing  the  significant  risks 
faced by the Group that has been in place from 2011 and up 
to  the  date  of  approval  of  the  Annual  Report  and  Financial 
Statements. Principal controls are managed by the Executive 
Directors  and  key  employees,  including  regular  review  by 
management and the Board of the operations and the financial 
statements of the Company.

The  Board  has  overall  responsibility  for  ensuring  that  the 
Company  maintains  adequate  systems  of  internal  control 
and  for  determining  the  nature  and  extent  of  principal  risks. 
The Board confirms that they have carried out during 2019 a 
robust assessment of such risks accordingly, including those 
that  would  impact  the  Company’s  business  model,  future 
performance,  solvency  or  liquidity,  and  have  considered 
how  they  are  to  be  mitigated.  To  this  end,  in  accordance 
with the Israeli Companies Law, the Company has appointed 
and  retains  the  services  of  an  independent  qualified  internal 
auditor.  Each  year,  the  Audit  Committee  reviews  with  the 
internal  auditor  potential  risks  and  a  proposed  plan  for  their 
scope of work. Each year the Audit Committee usually selects 
at  least  two  areas  of  the  Company’s  operations  on  which  it 
requests the internal auditor to focus and prepare an internal 
audit report with recommendations. Following the completion 
of each report, the internal auditor sends it to all the Directors 
and presents their findings to the Audit Committee. The Audit 
Committee  then  reports  to  the  Board  on  any  major  findings 
together  with  the  internal  auditor’s  recommendations  for 

34   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT &  ACCOUNTS 2019

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT

Dear Shareholder 
The Board is pleased to present the Remuneration Committee’s 
Report for the year ended 31 December 2019.

The main purpose of the Remuneration Committee is to design 
appropriate  remuneration  packages  to  attract,  retain  and 
motivate  senior  executives  and  managers  of  the  experience 
and  expertise  required  to  run  the  Company  successfully. 
The  Remuneration  Committee  reviews  and  considers  the 
remuneration  of,  amongst  others,  the  CEO,  CFO,  executive 
and non-executive directors and other individuals determined 
by  the  Board  to  be  material  to  the  Company’s  current  and 
future prospects.

The Remuneration Committee must ensure that a remuneration 
framework  is  established  and  implemented  that  addresses 
the need of the Company to attract, retain and motivate such 
individuals,  while  considering  and  managing  business  risks 
and  ensuring  the  Company’s  remuneration  policy  facilitates, 
so  far  as  possible,  the  Company’s  long-term  strategy  and 
performance and ensures its sustainable financial health.

The  Remuneration  Committee  remains  focused  on  ensuring 
that the overall remuneration strategy adopted by the Company 
remains  aligned  with  the  interests  of  its  shareholders.  The 
Remuneration Committee, when necessary, engages external 
executive remuneration advisers to give it guidance regarding 
the accepted levels of salary, bonuses and LTIs payable by 
similar sized companies listed on the London Stock Exchange 
to its CEO, CFO and other senior executives and ensures that 
the  level  of  remuneration  offered  to  its  senior  executives  is 
both fair and reasonable.

Introduction

This  report  sets  out  BATM  Advanced  Communication’s 
executive 
remuneration  policy  and  details  Directors’ 
remuneration and benefits for the financial year under review. 
The  Company  is  incorporated  in  Israel,  and  the  Company’s 
current  Remuneration  Policy  and  Guidelines  (“Remuneration 
Policy”) came into effect after its approval by the Shareholders’ 
Meeting  by  a  majority  vote  as  prescribed  in  section  267A 
(b)  of  the  Israeli  Companies  Law,  1999  (“Companies  Law”) 
at  the  Annual  General  Meeting  held  in  October  2017.  The 
Companies  Law  requires  that  the  Remuneration  Policy  must 
be presented to the shareholders for approval at least once 
every  three  years,  and  therefore  the  next  such  approval  is 
anticipated to be in late 2020. In preparing the Remuneration 
Policy for approval, the Company will, again, engage external 
experienced consultants in the area of executive remuneration 

packages both in Israel and London to provide independent 
and objective advice to assist the Company in its endeavours. 
The  Company  will  also  consult  with  its  largest  shareholders 
in  advance  to  ensure  that  shareholder  views  are  taken  into 
account.  In  addition,  the  policy  will  be  prepared  with  due 
consideration for the factors set out in Provision 40 of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code (the “Code”). 

While the Company is not subject to the Companies Act 2006 
or  the  amendments  introduced  in  relation  to  the  preparation 
and approval of directors’ remuneration policies and reports 
for  listed  companies,  the  Company  complies  with  the  Code 
and  believes  that  the  Company’s    remuneration    strategy  
would  comply  with  the requirements of the Code and of the 
Companies Act 2006 and related legislation.

The  Reporting  Regulations  (International  Auditing  Reporting 
Standards) also require the auditors to report to the Company’s 
members  in  the  financial  statements  within  this  report  and 
to  state  whether  in  their  opinion  that  part  of  the  report  has 
been properly prepared. The report is therefore divided into 
separate sections for audited and unaudited information.

Recruitment Remuneration

is 
The  Company’s  policy  on  recruitment  remuneration 
to  consider  the  market  conditions  and  the  Company’s 
requirements,  while  ensuring  that  it  complies  with  the 
Remuneration  Policy,  in  determining  the  appropriate  level  of 
remuneration  (including  in  respect  of  any  buy-out  award)  in 
connection with the appointment of Executive Directors.

Remuneration Committee

The  Remuneration  Committee  works  within  its  terms  of 
reference to make recommendations to the Board of Directors 
of  the  Company.  The  Remuneration  Committee’s  full  terms 
of  reference  are  available  on  the  Company’s  website.  The 
Remuneration  Committee  consists  of  three  out  of  the  four 
non-executive  Directors  and  excludes  the  Chairman  of  the 
Board as is required under Israeli Company Law. None of the 
Committee  members  have  any  personal  financial  interests, 
conflicts of interests arising from cross-directorships or day-
to-day involvement in the running of the business.

None of the Directors plays a part in any determination of his 
own remuneration.

The  Committee  also  receives  advice  from  several  sources, 
namely:

•    The Chairman of the Board, who attends the Remuneration 
Committee meetings by invitation only, and the Company’s 
Chief  Financial  Officer,  who  attends  when  specifically 

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT &  ACCOUNTS 2019   35

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Chairman of the Board, who attended by invitation, and from 
the Company Secretary, who attends meetings as Secretary 
to the Committee. 

Stakeholder Views & Engagement

As  noted  above,  the  current  Remuneration  Policy  was 
approved by shareholders in October 2017 and the next such 
approval is expected in late 2020. The Company intends to 
consult with its largest shareholders in advance of preparing 
the  policy  for  approval  this  year  to  ensure  that  shareholder 
views  are  taken  into  account.  While  the  Committee  does 
not  consult  directly  with  employees  on  the  director’s 
Remuneration  Policy,  it  does  take  into  consideration  salary 
increases and remuneration arrangements across the Group 
when determining payments for the Executive Directors. 

I am pleased to report that, at the Company’s AGM held on 
5  December  2019,  the  shareholders  approved  (as  detailed 
in  the  table  below)  the  Remuneration  Committee  report  for 
2018, together with the auditor’s reports on the auditable part 
of that report, and the award of an annual bonus to Mr. Moti 
Nagar,  CFO,  in  relation  to  his  performance  in  2018  (which 
was  put  to  shareholders  for  approval  in  accordance  with 
Israeli law). As noted above, we have also taken shareholder 
response  to  the  2019  AGM  into  account  in  preparing  this 
Directors’ Remuneration Report.

On  behalf  of  the  Committee,  I  thank  shareholders  for  their 
support and look forward to receiving further support at this 
year’s Annual General Meeting.

Prof. Ari Shamiss
Remuneration Committee Chairman
30 April 2020

invited by the chairman of the Committee in order to provide 
relevant information to the Committee. No individual takes 
part in discussions relating to their own remuneration and 
benefits.

•    As  and  when  the  Committee  deems  it  necessary,  the 
Committee  consults  with  independent  consultants  on 
executive benefits.

The  members  of  the  Remuneration  Committee  during  the 
year under review were:

•    Prof. Ari Shamiss (Chairman) 

•    Prof. Varda Shalev 

•    Harel Locker

Key Remuneration Activities During the Year

During the year under review, the Remuneration Committee 
met  once  and  all  members  were  in  attendance.  The 
Committee’s main activities during the year included: 

•    Agreeing performance against targets for the 2018 annual 

bonus awards

•    Setting targets for the 2019 annual bonus

•    Considering shareholder feedback in respect of the 2019 

AGM

that  significantly  advanced 

The  Group  made  tremendous  progress  during  2019,  both 
in  its  financial  performance  and  achieving  a  number  of 
operational  milestones 
the 
execution on its strategy. Dr Zvi Marom, CEO, and Mr. Moti 
Nagar,  CFO,  were  instrumental  in  achieving  this  success 
(as  discussed  further  on  pages  44  to  45),  but  it  is  also 
thanks  to  the  efforts  of  the  employee  base  as  a  whole  and 
our  ability  to  attract  and  retain  the  right  staff.  We  continue 
to  believe  that  our  Remuneration  Policy  and  practices  are 
appropriate  for  incentivising  and  rewarding  our  employees 
and our Directors, and are in the best interests of the Group 
as  a  whole.  In  light  of  the  shareholder  feedback  in  respect 
of the 2019 AGM, we have endeavoured to provide greater 
disclosure and transparency in this annual report.

During  the  year,  the  Committee  received  advice  from  the 

Resolution

Approval of the 
remuneration report

Approval of the CFO 
annual bonus

Votes 
for

135,077,845

165,974,020

% for

Votes against % against

85

97

24,583,631

5,793,850

15

3

Total votes 
cast

Votes withheld

260,785,955

101,124,479

260,785,955

89,018,085

36   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT &  ACCOUNTS 2019

REMUNERATION POLICY REPORT

The philosophy and principles of the Company’s Remuneration 
Policy  are  detailed  below  (unaudited).  This  Remuneration 
Policy was brought for approval to the Annual General Meeting 
of the shareholders in October 2017 and was approved by a 
large majority at that meeting.

Remuneration philosophy and objectives

The  Company  believes  that  the  most  effective  Executive 
remuneration  policy  is  one  that  is  designed  to  reward 
achievement, to encourage a high degree of performance and 
that  aligns  Executives’  interests  with  those  of  the  Company 
and  its  shareholders  while  ensuring  that  the  Company  can 
maintain  its  ability  to  attract  and  retain  for  the  long-term 
leading  employees  for  key  positions.  The  remuneration 
philosophy of the Company is to offer Executives remuneration 
that is comprised of a mix of fixed annual salary and variable 
performance-based  bonuses  and/or 
long-term  equity 
incentives.

The Company has established the following main remuneration 
objectives for the Company’s Executives:

(1)  Remuneration  should  be  related  to  performance  on  both 
a short-term and long-term basis with a portion of a senior 
Executive’s potential annual bonus and long-term equity-
based  remuneration  conditional  on  achievement  of  pre-
determined performance objectives.

(2)  The  mix  of  the  fixed  and  performance-based  variable 
remuneration should serve to encourage senior Executives 
to  remain  with  the  Company.  The  Policy’s  components 
are  designed  to  retain  talented  executives.  A  significant 
element of the Policy is therefore long-term equity-based 
incentive remuneration rewards that vest on a rolling basis 
over several years. As part of the retention objective, the 
Company  believes  that  remuneration  should  include  a 
meaningful  share  option  component  to  further  align  the 
interests of the senior Executives with the interests of the 
shareholders.

(3)  Remuneration  should  be  reasonable  for  the  business  of 
the Company, its location, industry and its long-term, multi-
year approach to achieving sustainable growth.

(4)  Remuneration should be designed to encourage initiative 
innovation  and  appropriate  levels  of  risk.  It  should  be 
structured  to  discourage  taking  excessive  short-term  risk 
without  constraining  reasonable  risk  taking.  Therefore  a 
portion  of  the  incentive  variable  remuneration  should  be 
linked to longer-term Company performance.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 

(5)  The Policy should ensure transparency and accountability 
and encourage a high-performing culture in the Company.

The Remuneration Committee and its duties

The  BATM  Remuneration  Committee  (the  “Committee”) 
was  established  by  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Company 
and  operates  in  accordance  with  the  functions  set  forth  in 
the  Israeli  Companies  Law.  This  is  a  separate  independent 
Committee comprised of three external independent directors 
who are appointed by the shareholders’ meeting.

The Committee’s responsibilities and duties are:

(1)  Recommending  for  approval  to  the  Board  the  framework 
or  broad  policy  for  the  remuneration  of  the  Company’s 
Chairman  of  the  Board,  CEO,  Executive  Directors  and 
other senior management and officers.

(2)  Recommending  appropriate  remuneration  packages  and 
service contracts of the senior executives, and reviewing 
the 
the  ongoing  appropriateness  and  relevance  of 
Remuneration Policy.

(3)  Recommending  and  determining 

for  all 
performance-related 
the 
Company and approving the total annual payments made 
under such schemes.

remuneration  offered  by 

the  goals 

(4)  Reviewing the design of all long-term incentive schemes, 
such  as  options  and  equity  awards  and  recommending 
these for approval by the Board and, if and when required 
by law, by the shareholders.

The  Committee’s  terms  of  reference  are  available  on  the 
Company’s website and are available in hard copy on request 
from the Company Secretary. 

Remuneration Principles

The  remuneration  of  senior  executives  and  officers  of  the 
Company shall consist of all, or part, of the following:

the 

(i)   fixed remuneration – salary (including pensions and fixed 
social benefits on a level consistent with peer companies 
and  only  if  these  are  mandatory  or  commonly  accepted 
in the relevant employment market) that is commensurate 
with 
individual  executive’s  skills,  experience, 
education,  qualifications  and  responsibilities.  The  fixed 
annual salary, benefits and pension will be set at a broadly 
mid-market  level  (including  with  reference  to  the  country 
in  which  an  executive  principally  works),  and  reviewed 
annually  taking  account  of  individual  responsibilities  and 
performance.  The  Remuneration  Committee  will  ensure 
that  the  underlying  principles,  which  form  the  basis  for 

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT &  ACCOUNTS 2019   37

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

determining executives’ salaries are consistent with those 
on  which  salary  decisions  for  the  rest  of  the  workforce 
in  the  Company  are  taken.  In  addition,  before  making 
a  recommendation  the  Committee  takes  into  account 
the  general  salary  increase  for  the  broader  employee 
population  when  conducting  the  salary  review  for  the 
senior executives. The Committee also takes into account 
the ratio between the total remuneration of the applicable 
director and/or senior executive and the salary of all other 
employees in the Company, especially the ratio between 
the total remuneration and the median and average salary 
of all such other employees in the Company - this analysis 
and ratio will be calculated on a per Division basis and on 
a per country basis so as to ensure that the comparison is 
made on the same underlying  parameters; and

(ii)  variable remuneration, which can comprise a mix of:

•  Annual bonuses; and

•   Long Term (equity-based) Incentives (hereinafter – 

“LTIs”) (share options only).

The Board of Directors determines the ceilings for payment of 
the fixed remuneration and variable remuneration, so that they 
are reasonable and appropriate. The targeted ratio between 
the  fixed  salary  remuneration  and  the  variable  elements  of 
remuneration that the Company may offer executives shall be 
as per the table below.

The annual salary for the Chairman, CEO and senior executives 
shall not exceed the following maximum thresholds:

(a)  Non-Executive Chairman: $120,000* 

(b) CEO: $520,000

(c) Other senior executives: $300,000

* 

 This amount is based on a 30% part time position of the Chairman

The  total  remuneration  of  senior  executives  and  directors 

reviewed  annually, 

the  above 
is 
considerations  and 
the  relevant  person’s 
contribution and performance as well as the performance of 
the Company and its financial status.

taking 
focusing  on 

into  account 

In addition to the above, at each such review the Remuneration 
Committee may, at its discretion, approve immaterial changes 
to all or part of the remuneration package of a senior executive 
or officer of up to three salaries (including the amount of the 
fixed benefits payable on such salaries) as a reward for his/her 
special contribution to the Company in the previous year. With 
respect  to  an  immaterial  change  in  the  remuneration  of  the 
CEO that is recommended by the Remuneration Committee, 
such  recommendation  will  also  require  the  approval  of  the 
Board of Directors of the Company. All instances in which the 
Remuneration Committee has used its discretionary powers to 
award such a bonus (as, for example, to reward an executive 
for his/her special efforts in closing a merger or acquisition for 
the Company) will be fully disclosed by the Company in the 
relevant annual report.

Measurement criteria for awards of  
annual Bonus  

The  level  of  the  cash  payment  bonus  paid  to  any  executive 
director, senior executive or officer (excluding non-executive 
independent directors), will be established to link rewards with 
the Company’s annual business goals, based on quantifiable 
measurements and targets set out at the start of the financial 
year  by  the  Remuneration  Committee.  The  criteria  on  which 
the annual bonus is based shall be calculated, as follows:

(i)   Consolidated  /  Division  financial  measures:  adjusted 
EBIDTA,  measured  against  the  targets  of  the  annual 
budget  as  approved  by  the  Board  of  Directors  for  the 
relevant year; and

Non-Executive Chairman

Annual Salary or the equivalent thereof

Other fixed benefits *

Annual Bonus**

LTIs (per vesting annum)

100%

30%-40%

None

None

CEO

100%

30%-40%

up to 75%

up to 125%

Senior Executives

100%

30%-40%

up to 50%

up to 100%

The percentages above reflect ratios compared with the annual fixed salary and are the maximum rewards that the Company may pay to the relevant 
executives.

The amount of LTIs will be calculated on a linear basis over the period of vesting.

* 

 ”Other fixed benefits” are comprised of mandatory pension scheme required by Israeli labour laws and regulations (6.5% from base salary), and may 
also include Further Education Funds, use of company car, use of mobile phone and newspaper, all as commonly given in Israel in peer companies. 
The Company only pays pension on the executives’ basic salary (and not on the variable remuneration).

* *   Non-Executive Independent Directors are not eligible for annual bonuses.

38   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT &  ACCOUNTS 2019

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 

(ii)   Personal  &  operational  performance  measures: 
The  criteria  shall  be  determined  individually  when  such 
personal criteria are set. A list of personal qualitative goals 
will be determined by the Remuneration Committee on a 
case-by-case basis.

The weight of the corporate / division financial measures and 
personal operational performance measures for considering a 
bonus award, shall be as follows:

be  deducted  from  the  bonus  payable  in  the  next  year  and 
so forth up to three years. Notwithstanding the above, if the 
senior executive’s employment relationship with the Company 
terminates before the Balance is fully repaid to the Company, 
then  the  Balance  shall  be  deducted  from  all  amounts  due 
and  payable  to  such  senior  executive  in  connection  with 
such termination of employment and if there is still an unpaid 
balance  to  the  Company,  then  such  unpaid  balance  shall 

Consolidated financial measures: 

75%-100%

60%-80%        

20%-40%

Division financial measures: 

–

–

40%-60%

Personal & operational performance:  
(non-financial performance criteria)

up to 25%    

20%-40%       

up to 20%

CEO

CFO

Division Heads

The  financial  measures  are  based  on  defined  quantitative 
criteria,  whereas  the  personal  and  operational  measures 
are  based  on  qualitative  criteria.  If  less  than  70%  of  the 
financial measures has been achieved, then no part from the 
Consolidated/Division  financial  annual  bonus  may  be  paid; 
if  however  between  70%  -  100%  of  the  financial  measures 
have  been  achieved,  then  the  relevant  executive  or  senior 
officer  will  be  eligible  to  receive  a  pro  rata  portion  of  the 
Consolidated/Division  financial  annual  bonus  as  determined 
by  the  Remuneration  Committee.  Annual  bonuses  may  be 
withheld  in  whole  or  in  part  if  the  business  has  suffered  an 
exceptional  negative  event,  even  if  some  specific  targets 
have  been  met.  The  Remuneration  Committee  has  overall 
discretion to ensure that a payment that is inappropriate in all 
the Company’s circumstances is not made.

The  maximum  aggregate  bonus  shall  be  as  set  forth  in  the 
above table, per executive level.

If there was a mistake in calculation of the annual bonus by 
the Company, or if the Company restates any of the financial 
data  that  was  used  in  calculating  the  bonus  (other  than  a 
restatement  required  due  to  changes  in  financial  reporting 
standards),  then  the  applicable  bonus  shall  be  recalculated 
using such restated data (the “Restated Bonus”). The balance 
between  the  original  bonus  and  the  Restated  Bonus,  if  any, 
(the  “Balance”)  will  be  repaid  to  the  Company,  or  paid  to 
the  executive  (as  the  case  may  be)  by  deducting  or  adding 
such Balance from the first amounts payable to such senior 
executive  as  a  bonus  immediately  after  the  completion  of 
the restatement. To the extent that no bonus will be payable 
to such  senior executive  in that  year, then the Balance  shall 

be repaid pursuant to the terms determined by the Board of 
Directors.

In  the  event  of  termination  of  employment  of  an  executive 
during  the  calendar  year  (except  under  circumstances 
justifying  the  non-payment  of  Severance  Pay  pursuant  to 
Israeli  labour  law  and  precedent  of  the  Labour  Courts),  the 
amount of the bonus shall be calculated and adjusted for the 
entire  year  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  this  Policy 
and thereafter shall be prorated in accordance with the actual 
days of employment of the executive by the Company during 
the  applicable  year  and  paid  to  the  eligible  executive  in  full 
together  with  the  first  salary  that  will  be  paid  following  the 
approval by the Board of Directors of the financial statements 
for such applicable year. 

Long-Term Incentives

The  Company’s  long-term  Incentive  package  for  the  CEO 
and  other  senior  executives  are  designed  to  support  the 
Company’s  strategy  by  incentivising  the  delivery  of  growth, 
increase  in  profitability,  superior  shareholder  returns  and 
sustained financial performance. Long-term incentives may be 
granted by the Board of Directors through the issue of options 
under the Company’s Employee Share Option Plan (“ESOP”). 
The  Company  believes  that  this  mechanism  is  the  preferred 
long-term  incentive  package,  as  the  Company  already  has 
in  place  ESOPs  that  have  been  approved  by  the  relevant 
Tax Authorities in Israel and this kind of LTI scheme is more 
commonly  used  and  understood  by  high-level  executives  in 
the  Israeli  market.  The  Group  does  not  issue  share  awards 
under its LTI scheme.

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT &  ACCOUNTS 2019   39

 
 
DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Any  award  of  long-term  incentives  by  the  Remuneration 
Committee and the Board of Directors will be made in order 
to  reward  the  senior  executives  for  future  performance  and 
building additional value for the shareholders (thus increasing 
the price of the share) and to foster a long-term relationship 
between the executive and the Company.

(1)   The vesting of any LTIs (options) granted by the Board to 
a senior executive shall be over time in order to retain the 
senior  executive  in  the  Company  and  to  incentivise  the 
executive to increase the value of the Company.

(2)  Any  LTI  (options)  granted  by  the  Company  to  a  senior 
executive will vest over a three-year period* as follows: 12 
months  after  the  Board  approval  –  0%;  24  months  after 
the Board Approval – 50%; and 36 months after the Board 
Approval – 50%, provided that the senior executive remains 
an  employee  or  in  the  service  of  the  Company  on  each 
date of exercising the LTIs. If the Company terminates the 
employment or services contract of an executive who was 
awarded  options  within  the  first  half  of  the  year  from  the 
Board approval, the eligible executive shall not be entitled 
to exercise the options granted, unless the termination by 
the Company was unjustified; if the Company terminates 
the  employment  or  services  contract  of  an  executive 
who  was  awarded  options  within  the  second  half  of  the 
year  from  the  Board  approval,  the  Board  of  Directors 
will  determine  whether  to  allow  the  eligible  executive  to 
exercise the amount of options which vested immediately 
prior  to  the  termination  date.  Any  executive  that  resigns 
from  his/her  position  in  the  Company  shall  forfeit  his/her 
right to exercise any non-vested LTIs.

(3)  In  exceptional  circumstances  and/or  cases  of  a 
restatement of any of the Company’s financial statements, 
the Remuneration Committee has the discretion to reduce 
future rewards of LTIs to the relevant senior executive.  All 
grant  of  options  hereunder  shall  also  be  subject  to  the 
following:

• 

• 

• 

 Options  shall  not  be  exercisable  more  than  ten  years 
after the date of the grant.

 The  price  (“exercise  price”)  at  which  options  may  be 
granted  shall  be  a  fixed  price  and  not  be  under  the 
average market price in the month preceding the date 
of the Board approval.

 The  options  may  include  provisions  for  acceleration 
of  vesting  in  certain  events,  such  as  mergers,  a 
consolidation,  a  sale  of  all  or  substantially  all  of  the 
Company’s  consolidated  assets,  or  sale  of  all  or 

40   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT &  ACCOUNTS 2019

substantially all of the issued shares of the Company, 
all  as  stipulated  in  the  Company’s  relevant  employee 
share option plan.

• 

 Subject to the receipt of all the required approvals, the 
exercise  of  the  options  may  be  made  by  a  cashless 
mechanism and the exercise price may be adjusted for 
dividend distribution.

(4)   The  Company’s 

long-term 

incentive  schemes,  as 
applicable  to  directors  and  senior  executives,  provides 
that commitments to issue BATM shares must not exceed 
(in  aggregate  across  all  schemes)  10%  of  the  issued 
ordinary  share  capital  (adjusted  for  share  issuance  and 
cancellation) in any rolling 10-year period.

(5)  The maximum levels of variable remuneration and benefits 
that the Company may grant to the CEO and other senior 
executives  in  the  Company  are  as  set  forth  above  in  the 
table on page 38.

* The vesting period for share options is over a three-year term, which is  
what  is  customary  and  recognised  in  Israeli  industry  and  changing  this 
to  a  longer  vesting  period  would  adversely  affect  the  Group's  ability  to 
compete in recruiting experienced and highly skilled managers and exec-
utives. This vesting period (as part of the Remuneration Policy) is brought 

for approval by an independent vote of the shareholders.

CEO Service Agreement

Following is a brief summary of the main terms & conditions 
of  the  CEO’s  Service  Contract,  which  was  approved  by 
shareholders  in  June  2018,  between  the  Company  and 
the  service  management  company  owned  by  the  CEO,  Dr. 
Zvi  Marom  (Nostradamus  or  the  “Service  Management 
Company”):

Remuneration (“Service Fee”) – base salary of approximately 
$382,000 (precise reported amount dependent on currency) 
plus all relevant social benefits and taxes on this amount.

Annual  Bonus:  shall  be  payable  by  BATM  to  the  Service 
Management  company  for  each  of  the  above  three  years, 
in  the  event  that  the  BATM  Group  achieves  the  adjusted 
EBITDA for each year which is set in the annual budget (work 
plan)  approved  by  the  Board  at  the  beginning  of  that  year 
(hereinafter– the “Base adjusted EBITDA”) and subject to the 
following:

(a)   The  adjusted  EBITDA  for  the  relevant  year  is  more  than 

$4.3 million.

(b)  For  each  increase  in  the  actual  adjusted  EBITDA  for  the 
relevant year of 10% as compared with the Base adjusted 
EBITDA,  the  Service  Management  Company  shall  be 
entitled to a bonus of 1 month’s Service Fee up to a ceiling 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 

shareholders’  meeting  or  by  the  competent  court  at  the 
request of a director or shareholder.

Link to strategy

The Board believes that the Remuneration Policy and practices 
of BATM support the strategy by enabling the Group to recruit 
and  retain  Executive  Directors  and  senior  managers  of  the 
calibre  to  deliver  its  strategy.  The  criteria  set  for  the  annual 
bonus  are  also  designed  to  support  the  achievement  of  the 
Group’s strategic objectives while LTIPs incentivise the delivery 
of  long-term  financial  return  through  the  implementation  of 
sustainable  strategic  growth.  The  Chairman’s  fee  supports 
the recruitment and retention of a director of a calibre to lead 
an  effective  board  and  contribute  to  the  Group’s  long-term 
success. (Please see above regarding NED fees.)

External appointments for executive directors 
of the Company

The  Company  does  not  prohibit  its  executive  directors 
from  being  appointed  as  non-executive  directors  in  other 
companies, provided that such appointment will not create a 
conflict  of  interest  between  his/her  position  in  the  Company 
and  his  external  appointment.  In  each  such  instances,  the 
Company’s  executive  director  may  retain  the  remuneration 
paid to him/her by the other company. The Company provides 
a  full  disclosure  on  each  such  instance  in  its  Remuneration 
Report contained in the Company’s Annual Report.

Retirement and termination of employment or 
services arrangements

in 

termination  arrangements 

As  part  of  the  incentives  under  this  Remuneration  Policy, 
the  Company  is  permitted  to  approve  retirement  benefits 
its  employment  and 
and 
services contracts in order to attract and retain highly skilled 
professional executive officers. The retirement and termination 
arrangements  may  include  one  or  more  of  the  following,  as 
may  be  approved  by  the  Remuneration  Committee  and  the 
Board (unless the termination is in circumstances that negate 
the payment of severance pay pursuant to applicable law):

• 

 Advance Notice of Termination: (i) shall not exceed up to six 
monthly base salaries for the CEO; and (ii) shall not exceed 
up to four monthly base salaries for other senior executives 
(provided,  however,  that  any  current  employment  or 
services  contracts  in  effect  with  senior  executives  which 
contain an Advance Notice of more than six months shall 
continue in effect until the relevant contract expires).

• 

 Adjusted  Payments:  A  senior  executive  may  be  entitled 
to  adjustment  payments  as  follows:  (i)  up  to  a  maximum 

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT &  ACCOUNTS 2019   41

of nine monthly Service Fees (should the actual adjusted 
EBITDA for the relevant year be 90% or more of the Base 
adjusted  EBITDA).  Two  out  of  the  nine  monthly  Service 
Fees, if payable, will be based on personal performance 
criteria of the CEO as reviewed by the Board.

Long Term Incentives:

The  CEO  was  granted,  in  June  2018,  four  million  options  to 
purchase BATM ordinary shares. The options are exercisable 
at a price of 26.95 pence per share, being the average price of 
the Company’s share on the FTSE in the month preceding the 
shareholders’ approval of this transaction. Half of the options 
will vest at the end of 24 months from the grant date and the 
other half at the end of 36 months from the grant date, provided 
that Dr. Marom remains in his position at the Company as of 
the date of each vesting and that the Group has achieved a 
gross  profit  of  at  least  $33  million  for  the  previous  calendar 
year in which the vesting date falls.

Remuneration to Non-executive 
independent Directors (“NEDs”)

As  an  Israeli  publicly  listed  company,  BATM’s  Board  must 
include at all times, at least two external (public) independent 
non-executive directors that fulfill the mandatory requirements 
and hold the qualifications laid down in the Israeli Companies 
Law.  Such  directors  may  receive  cash  remuneration  that 
includes an annual fixed fee and a per-meeting participation 
fee as well as equity-based compensation, all as prescribed 
in  the  Israeli  Companies  Regulations  ((Rules  Regarding 
Compensation  and  Expense  Reimbursement  of  External 
Directors)  2000  (the  “Compensation  Regulations”)),  as  an 
incentive for their contribution and efforts for the Company. In 
addition, the Company may reimburse said directors for their 
reasonable expenses incurred in connection with attending 
meetings  of  the  Board  of  Directors  and  of  any  Committees 
of  the  Board,  all  in  accordance  with  the  Compensation 
Regulations.  The  Company’s  remuneration  policy  with 
respect  to  NEDS  is  that  it  offers  each  of  them  the  relevant 
scale of annual fixed fee and “per-meeting” participation fee 
specified in the Compensation Regulations that apply to the 
Company.

NEDs are not eligible to participate in the variable remuneration 
plans offered by the Company to its executives and officers.

NEDs  are  also  not  entitled  to  notice  periods  of  termination 
as their position under the Israeli Companies Law is set for a 
defined term of three years following their appointment by the 
shareholders’  meeting.  Their  office  may  only  be  terminated 
for  cause  in  special  circumstances  by  the  Company’s 

 
 
 
 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

of  six  months  for  the  CEO;  and  (ii)  up  to  a  maximum  of 
four months for other senior executives, provided that any 
overlap between the Advance Notice period during which 
the  senior  executive  is  not  working  will  be  accounted  for 
the  purpose  of  calculating  the  total  adjustment  payment 
and deducted therefrom. The adjustment payments will be 
based  on  the  employment  term  of  each  senior  executive 
with the Company.

 The  level  of  adjusted  payments  to  be  offered  to  specific 
executives  will  be  discussed  by 
the  Remuneration 
Committee  that  will  provide  its  recommendations  to  the 
Board, after considering the following:

•   The executive is committed to work in the Company for 

at least two years.

•   Throughout his/her term of employment he/she has made 
a  significant  contribution  to  advancing  the  Company’s 
business.

•   The  executive  is  not  leaving  the  Company  under 
circumstances justifying the non-payment of severance 
pay  (as  recognised  under  Israeli  labour  law  and 
precedent) and upon termination of employment he/she 
will sign on a release in favour of the Company against 
all claims.

•   The recommendation of the CEO (or the Chairman in the 
case of the termination of employment of the CEO) as to 
the level of severance payment.

•   The  Company’s  performance  throughout  the  period  of 

his/ her employment by the Company.

•   If  the  Executive  resigns  from  the  Company  during  the 
calendar  year  for  which  he  would  have  been  entitled 
to  an  annual  bonus,  the  Remuneration  Committee  has 
the  discretion  to  decide  whether  and  to  what  extent 
that  executive  should  be  eligible  to  receive  the  bonus 
(whether in part, in full, or not at all). 

Recruitment policy

The  Remuneration  Committee  will  take  into  consideration  a 
number of factors, including the current pay for other executive 
directors, external market forces, skills and current level of pay 
at previous employer in determining the pay on recruitment.

In  terms  of  additional  benefits,  the  Committee  will  offer  a 
package that is set in line with this Remuneration Policy and 
the mandatory pension scheme levels in the Israeli market.

Annual bonus and LTIs will be set in line with this Remuneration 
Policy.

Buy-Out  awards:  where  an  individual  forfeits  outstanding 

42   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT &  ACCOUNTS 2019

variable  opportunities  or  contractual  rights  at  a  previous 
employer as a result of his/her recruitment by the Company, 
the  Committee  may  offer  compensatory  payments  or  buy- 
out  awards,  dependent  on  the  individual  circumstances  of 
recruitment,  determined  on  a  case-by-case  basis.  Where 
appropriate, the Committee may choose to apply performance 
conditions to any of these awards.

ANNUAL REPORT ON REMUNERATION

In determining the remuneration to its Non-executive Directors 
(who,  other  than  the  Chairman,  as  regarded  as  “external 
directors” under Israeli law), the Group is required to comply 
with  Israeli  law  that  formulates  the  kind  and  amounts  of 
remuneration  and  expenses  that  an  Israeli  public  company 
may pay to its non-executive directors. The applicable Israeli 
statute is the Israeli Companies Regulations (Rules Regarding 
Compensation  and  Expense  Reimbursement  of  External 
Directors)  2000  (the  “Compensation  Regulations”),  which 
prescribes  the  level  of  remuneration  that  a  publicly  listed 
company may pay to its external directors. Cash remuneration 
payable to the external director is comprised of two fees: (i) an 
annual fixed fee; and (ii) a per-meeting participation fee. The 
figures  set  forth  in  the  Compensation  Regulations  for  these 
elements  are  based  on  the  size  of  the  company  calculated 
by  the  shareholders’  equity  of  the  relevant  listed  company 
as recorded in its last audited financial statements. BATM is 
in  the  highest  level  of  company  under  these  Compensation 
Regulations  and  accordingly  the  amounts  payable  to  the 
three external directors currently in office (who are considered 
as  directors  holding  expertise  qualifications  under 
the 
Compensation Regulations) for 2019 were as follows:

•  A n annual fixed fee of NIS 147,095 (c. £32,260).

• 

• 

• 

 A per meeting participation fee of NIS 5,655 per meeting 
attended by the external director (c. £1,240).

 For any teleconference meeting that the external director 
participates in – 60% of the above fee.

 For  signing  on  a  Written  Resolution  of  a  board  meeting, 
without a physical meeting having been held - 50% of the 
above fee.

fully  with 

The  Company  complies 
the  Compensation 
Regulations and does not pay any additional amounts to the 
three non-executive directors. The Compensation Regulations 
do  not  apply  to  the  Chairman  who  is  not  considered  an 
“external director” in terms of Israeli Law but is considered an 
independent director and his remuneration is set out below. 

Audited information

The table of Directors’ remuneration is set out below. 

Table A – Emoluments of the Directors with comparatives

2019

Salary
$’000

Social Benefits
$’000

Pension 
Benefits
$’000

Performance Bonus
$’000

2019 Total
$’000

Executive Directors

Zvi Marom, CEO (1)

Moti Nagar, CFO (2)

Non-executive Directors

Gideon Chitayat

Harel Locker

Ari Shamiss

Varda Shalev 

503

253

  56

  53

   57

  57

–

21

–

–

–

–

–

13

–

–

–

–

150(*)

120(**)

–

–

–

–

653

407

  56

  53

   57

   57

2018

Salary
$’000

Social Benefits
$’000

Pension 
Benefits
$’000

Performance Bonus
$’000

2018 Total
$’000

Executive Directors

Zvi Marom, CEO (1)

Moti Nagar, CFO (2)

Non-executive Directors

Gideon Chitayat

Harel Locker

Ari Shamiss (3)

Varda Shalev (3) 

Orna Pollack (4) 

Avigdor Shafferman (4) 

516

244

  56

  43

    6

    4

  33

  10

–

24

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

11

–

–

–

–

–

–

96

80

–

–

–

–

–

–

612

359

  56

  43

    6

    4

  33

  10

(1)   The CEO, Dr. Zvi Marom, receives payment via a Service Agreement, which includes a basic annual salary and associated social and pension benefits 
according to his employment agreement. His service fee in 2018 and 2019 was the same, which comprised an annual base salary of approximately 
$382,000 (2018: $382,000) and social and pension benefits of approximately $120,000 (2018: $120,000), with the variation in the exact amounts when 
presented in reporting currency (US$) being based on currency exchange.

(2)   The CFO salary is paid in New Israeli Shekels: the difference in the reported salary (in US$) between 2018 and 2019 is due to currency fluctuation – the 

underlying salary remained the same.

(3)   Prof. Shamiss and Prof. Shalev joined as directors effective 28 November 2018 so the amounts appearing in the table are pro rata for the one month 

and two days they were in office during 2018.

(4)   Dr. Shafferman and Mrs. Pollack’s terms of office as external directors expired in February and September 2018 respectively.
(*)   The bonus criteria for the CEO was approved by the shareholders at the EGM held on 6 June 2018 and the award of his bonus for 2019 received 

approval by the Board of Directors on 27 February 2020.

(**)  The CFO bonus for 2019 is subject to approval by shareholders at the next AGM.

As at 31 December 2019, the total liability for payment related to wages for the Executive Directors was $51,000 (31 December 
2018: $48,000), which was paid in January 2020 (2018 liability was paid in January 2019).

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT &  ACCOUNTS 2019   43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Target

Delivery

2019 annual bonus
The maximum annual bonus for Dr. Zvi Marom and Mr. Moti Nagar for 2019 was 75% of annual service fee and 50% of annual 
salary respectively. The annual bonus is based on a mix of quantitative financial criteria and qualitative personal and operational 
criteria as described below.

Dr. Zvi Marom, CEO 
Financial criteria (75%-100% of total bonus)

2019 EBITDA target

% of this part of the bonus payable 
on achieving that target

2019 actual EBITDA

Target

Maximum

$4.3m 

$8.2m

Personal criteria (up to 25% of total bonus)

11.11%

100%

$9.8m

Target

Delivery

Strategic advancement of both divisions 

•   Key strategic milestone achieved in the Bio-Medical 
division with the signing of a conditional investment 
agreement for up to $30m into Ador to advance the 
development of its molecular diagnostics solution

•   Successful completion of delivery under NFV partnership 
with Arm and entered joint proof-of-concepts with tier 1 
operators

The CEO, Dr. Marom, met the financial and personal criteria set for him for 2019, entitling him to the maximum bonus award. 
The Remuneration Committee exercised its discretion in awarding Dr. Marom a bonus of $150,000 (i.e. below the maximum) in 
consideration for the business’ current focus on re-investing to advance the commercialisation of its new products. This decision 
was supported by Dr. Marom.

Mr. Moti Nagar, CFO
Financial criteria (60%-80% of total bonus)

EBITDA

Cash from operating 
activities

2019 target

$4.3m

>$2.6m

Personal criteria (20%-40% of total bonus)

Target

Investment Agreement for Ador

% of this part of the bonus payable 
on achieving that target

2019 actual

50%

50%

Delivery

$9.8m

$7.2m

•   Led negotiations for signing of a conditional investment 

agreement for up to $30m, with first instalment of $14.5m 
received into Ador during 2019

Fundraising for the Company

•  Successful fundraising of £14.1m gross in June 2019

Secondary listing on Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE), 
including gaining a significant institutional Israeli shareholder

•   Listed on TASE in July 2019 and became a constituent 
of the TA-125, TA-90, TA-SME150, TA-Rimon, TA Global 
BlueTech, TA-Technology, TA Tech – Elite and TA-AllShare 
indices in September 2019 

•   A tier 1 Israeli institutional investor, became a significant 

shareholder in BATM

Sale of the Company’s rights in IBC

•   Negotiated sale of the Company’s rights in IBC to Cellcom, 

generating a capital gain of $3.4m

The CFO, Mr. Nagar, met the financial and personal criteria set for him for 2019, entitling him to the maximum bonus award. 
The Remuneration Committee exercised its discretion in awarding Mr. Nagar a bonus of $120,000 (i.e. below the maximum) in 
consideration for the business’ current focus on re-investing to advance the commercialisation of its new products. This decision 
was supported by Mr. Nagar. In accordance with Israeli law, Mr. Nagar’s bonus remains subject to shareholder approval.

Share options
No options were granted during the year to the Directors. During 2019, the CFO sold 3,000,000 shares which were exercised 
from options. The total proceeds for the Company from this transactions was GBP 381 thousand.

Details of Executive Director options held, granted, vested, exercised or lapsed during the year are as follows: 

As at 1 Jan 
19

Granted

Vested

Exercised

Lapsed As at 31 Dec 19

Zvi Marom

4,000,000

Moti Nagar

3,906,200

-

-

-

-

-

3,000,000

-

-

4,000,000

906,200

Exercise 
price(*)

0.2695

0.1269

Expiry date

5 June 2028

4 May 2025

(*)  The exercise price per share calculated by average price of the Company’s shares on the FTSE during the month preceding the Board approval of the 

option grant.

Directors’ shareholdings 
While the Company does not require any Director to hold shares in the Company, the interests of the Directors and their immediate 
families, both beneficial and non-beneficial, in the ordinary shares of the Company as at 31 December 2019 and 2018 were as 
follows:

2019
Ordinary Shares

2018
Ordinary Shares

Executive Directors

Zvi Marom

Moti Nagar

96,794,500

96,694,500

–

–

Non-executive Directors

Gideon Chitayat

3,159,000

3,000,000

Harel Locker

Ari Shamiss

Varda Shalev

Orna Pollack

Avigdor Shafferman

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

44   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT &  ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT &  ACCOUNTS 2019   45

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Implementation of the 
Remuneration Policy in 2020
Salaries

Dr.  Marom’s  service  fee  (which  includes  salary,  pension 
and  benefits),  will  not  be  changed  in  2020.  This  includes  a 
salary  of  approximately  $382,000.  Mr.  Nagar’s  base  salary 
of approximately $253,000 will not be changed in 2020. Any 
variations in the reported amount will be due to the currency 
fluctuations.

Information not subject to Audit
Percentage change in pay

The table below shows the percentage change between 2018 
and 2019 in the value of salary, benefits and annual bonus (on 
an actual currency basis) for the Directors compared with the 
average full-time employee of the Company.

Salary

Benefits

Performance 
Bonus

Pension and benefits

Executive Directors

As above, Dr. Marom’s service fee in 2020 is unchanged, which 
includes pension and benefits of approximately $120,000. Mr. 
Nagar’s pension is determined by Israeli law, with the amount 
currently unchanged from 2019.

Zvi Marom

Moti Nagar

0%

0%

Annual bonus

Non-executive Directors

The maximum annual bonus for 2020 will continue to be capped 
at 75% of annual service fee for Dr. Marom and 50% of annual 
salary for Mr. Nagar. The weighting will continue as up to 100% 
of bonus being based on financial criteria for Dr. Marom and 
60%-80%  of  bonus  being  based  on  financial  criteria  for  Mr. 
Nagar with 20%-40% based on personal criteria. 

Gideon Chitayat

Harel Locker (1)

0%

23%

Ari Shamiss (2)

850%

Varda Shalev (2)

1,325%

0%

0%

–

–

–

–

56%

50%*

–

–

–

–

The  bonus  targets  are  deemed  to  be  commercially  sensitive 
and have not been disclosed prospectively. The performance 
targets set and actual performance against those targets will 
be provided on a retrospective basis in next year’s Directors’ 
Remuneration Report.

Non-Executive Director fees

The  fees  for  the  Chairman  are  currently  unchanged  in  2020. 
In  accordance  with  Israeli  law,  the  remuneration  to  be  paid 
to  “external”  Non-Executive  Directors  is  within  a  set  range 
set  forth  in  the  Regulations  promulgated  under  the  Israeli 
Companies  Law  (that  is  based  on  the  size  of  the  company 
and the professional qualifications or expertise of the nominee 
director). As at the date of this report, the fees are unchanged 
in 2020 and remain as disclosed on page 42.

Employees

Average FTE

9%

10%

13%

(1)  Mr. Locker participated in more meetings during 2019

(2)  Prof. Shamiss and Prof. Shalev joined as directors effective 28 November 
2018 and so only received payment for the one month and two days they 
were in office during 2018 compared with the full year in 2019.

(*)  The  CFO  bonus  for  2019  is  subject  to  approval  by  shareholders  at  the 

next AGM.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 

Relative importance of spend on pay

Total shareholder return

The table below shows overall spend on employee pay across 
the Group compared with distributions to shareholders.

2019
($m)

2018
($m)

% change

33.7

33.5

–

–

0.4

–

Employee 
remuneration 
costs

Distribution 
shareholders

to 

Notice periods

No employee has a notice period of more than 12 months. The 
notice period for the Directors (excluding “external” directors) 
is up to six months. The external Non-Executive Directors are 
not entitled to notice periods as their position under the Israeli 
Companies Law is set for a defined term of three years following 
their  appointment  by  the  shareholders’  meeting.  Their  office 
may  only  be  terminated  for  cause  in  special  circumstances 
by the Company’s shareholders’ meeting or by the competent 
court at the request of a director or shareholder.

BATM Advanced Communications Ltd FTSE SMALL CAP INDEX

The following graph shows BATM’s share price performance on 
the London Stock Exchange over the last five years compared 
with  the  FTSE  SmallCap  Index,  which  has  been  chosen 
because it includes companies of a broadly comparable size 
to BATM. The Group has not declared a dividend over the last 
five  financial  years.  Under  Israeli  law,  a  company  may  only 
declare a dividend if it has generated accrued profit over the 
previous two years, provided that there is no concern that the 
distribution will prevent the company from meeting its current 
and  future  undertakings  when  they  become  due.  In  light  of 
the  uncertainty  surrounding  COVID-19  and  the  necessity  to 
preserve  funds  for,  primarily  investment  in  the  development 
of the Group’s state-of-the-art Bio-Medical projects, the Board 
believes it is prudent not to declare a dividend for 2019 at this 
time. The Board will revisit its dividend policy when the global 
situation  normalises  and  it  has  sufficient  clarity  of  outlook, 
which could include, depending on the financial position of the 
Group, consideration of declaring an interim dividend for 2020.

%

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

46   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT &  ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT &  ACCOUNTS 2019   47

July
2015

January
2016

July
2016

January
2017

July
2017

January
2018

July
2018

January
2019

July
2019

January
2020

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

BATM
Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2019

48   ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2018

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   49

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Shareholders 
of BATM Advanced Communications Ltd.

To the Shareholders of BATM Advanced Communications Ltd. 
Neve Ne’eman Ind. Area 
4, Ha’harash Street, P.O.B. 7318 
4524075 Hod Hasharon, Israel

Opinion

We have audited the consolidated fi nancial statements of BATM Advanced Communications Ltd. and its subsidiaries (“the 
Group”) set out on pages 55 to 110, which comprise the consolidated statement of fi nancial position as at 31 December 
2019,  and  the  consolidated  statement  of  profi t  and  loss,  the  consolidated  statement  of  comprehensive  income,  the 
consolidated statement of changes in equity and the consolidated statement of cash fl ows for the year then ended, and 
notes to the consolidated fi nancial statements, including a summary of signifi cant accounting policies.

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated fi nancial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated 
fi nancial position of the Group as at 31 December 2019, and its consolidated fi nancial performance and its consolidated 
cash fl ows for the year then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs).

Basis for Opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISAs). Our responsibilities under those 
standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements
section  of  our  report.  We  are  independent  of  the  Group  in  accordance  with  the  International  Ethics  Standards  Board 
for  Accountants’  Code  of  Ethics  for  Professional  Accountants  (IESBA  Code),  and  we  have  fulfi lled  our  other  ethical 
responsibilities in accordance with the IESBA Code. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is suffi cient 
and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Key Audit Matters

Key  audit  matters  are  those  matters  that,  in  our  professional  judgment,  were  of  most  signifi cance  in  our  audit  of  the 
consolidated fi nancial statements of the current period. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the 
consolidated  fi nancial  statements  as  a  whole,  and  in  forming  our  opinion  thereon,  and  we  do  not  provide  a  separate 
opinion on these matters.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

KEY AUDIT MATTER

HOW OUR AUDIT ADDRESSED THE KEY AUDIT MATTER

Impairment of goodwill and other intangible 
assets

As detailed in Notes 23 and 24, as at 31 December 2019, the Group 
had goodwill and other intangible assets of $23,745 thousand. 

Goodwill and other intangible assets arise as a result of acquisitions 
by  the  Group.  Management  conducted  their  annual  impairment 
test  to  assess  the  recoverability  of  the  goodwill  and  consider 
whether  there  are  indicators  of  impairment  with  respect  to  other 
intangible  assets.  In  order  to  establish  whether  an  impairment 
exists, fair value less costs to sell or the value in use is determined 
and  compared  to  the  net  book  value  of  cash-generating  unit  to 
which the goodwill is allocated and other intangible assets.

judgement 

This  determination  of  an  impairment  is  highly  subjective  as 
in 
is  required  by 
signifi cant 
determining the cash-generating units and the fair value less costs 
to sell or the value in use as appropriate. The value in use is based 
on the cash fl ow forecast model for each cash-generating unit and 
requires  the  estimation  of  valuation  and  business  assumptions, 
most importantly the discount rate and growth rate. 

the  management 

Construction contracts

Where  the  outcome  of  a  construction  contract  can  be  estimated 
reliably,  revenues  are  recognized  over  time  by  the  Group  in 
reference  to    the  contract’s  stage  of  completion  at  the  date  of 
the  consolidated  statements  of  fi nancial  position.  This  is  mainly 
measured by the proportion of the contract costs incurred for work 
performed to date divided by the estimated total contract costs. The 
management consider the input method as an appropriate measure 
of the progress towards complete satisfaction of these performance 
obligations.

Total  revenues  and  expenses  recognized  for  the  year  ended  31 
December  2019,  amounted  to  $14,682  thousand  and  $13,135 
thousand, respectively.

Estimating the Stage of Completion demands signifi cant judgement 
by the management to determine the exact percentage of project 
completion.  This  estimation  is  based  mainly  on  engineering 
determination  or  time  consumed  in  relation  to  total  forecasted 
time needs together with the estimations of cost to complete the 
contracts.

We  focused  our  testing  of  the  impairment  of  goodwill  and  other 
intangible  assets  on  the  key  assumptions  made  by  the  directors. 
Our audit procedures included:

• 

• 

• 

  Evaluating whether the model used to calculate the fair value less 
costs to sell and value in use of the individual cash-generating units 
complies with the requirements of IAS 36: Impairment of Assets.

 Using our internal valuation specialists when applicable to assess 
the appropriateness of management’s estimations applied in the 
discount rates used in the value in use calculations.

 Challenging  management  assumptions  applied  and  inputs  in 
the  respective  models  by  comparing  it  to  historical  information, 
market researches when available, contractual arrangements and 
approved budgets; search for available contradictory information.

•  Performing stress analysis on key estimates.

• 

 Performing discussions, when applicable, with key management 
about  new  signifi cant  clients  and  markets  penetration,  new 
signifi cant contracts and bids, certifi cation status of new products.

Findings

We  found  the  models  and  assumptions  applied  in  the  goodwill 
impairment  assessments 
to  be  appropriate.  We  considered 
the  disclosure  of  the  goodwill  and  other  intangible  assets  to  be 
appropriate for purposes of the consolidated fi nancial statements.

•    Examination  of  the  Stage  of  Completion  (“SOC”)  used  by 
developing  an  independent  estimation  on  contracts  that  are 
using time spent or cost as a basis for the completion stage. 

•  Performing post balance sheet examination procedures.

•   Examination  of  the  reasonability  of  the  estimated  costs  to 
complete used for the determination of the stage of completion. 

•   Comparing  the  completion  percentage  arrived  to  previous 

periods when applicable.

•   Assessment  of  management’s  ability  to  provide  accurate 
estimations by comparing management’s estimates to actual 
results for a sample of completed projects.

Findings 

The  results  of  our  testing  were  satisfactory  and  we  found  the 
judgements used in determining the estimation to be appropriate.

50   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   51

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

fi nancial  statements  of  the  current  period  and  are 
therefore  the  key  audit  matters.  We  describe  these 
matters in our auditor’s report unless law or regulation 
precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, 
in  extremely  rare  circumstances,  we  determine  that 
a  matter  should  not  be  communicated  in  our  report 
because the adverse consequences of doing so would 
reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest 
benefi ts of such communication.

The engagement partner on the audit resulting in this 
independent auditor’s report is Efrat Binshtok.

Brightman Almagor Zohar and Co., Efrat Binshtok
Certifi ed Public Accountants
A Firm in the Deloitte Global Network 
1 Azrieli Center, Tel Aviv
Israel

30 April 2020

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Shareholders 
of BATM Advanced Communications Ltd. (continued)

Other Information

Management  is  responsible  for  the  other  information. 
The  other 
information 
included in the annual report, but does not include the 
fi nancial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. 

information  comprises 

the 

Our  opinion  on  the  consolidated  fi nancial  statements 
does  not  cover  the  other  information  and  we  do  not 
express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In  connection  with  our  audit  of  the  consolidated 
fi nancial   statements,  our  responsibility  is  to  read  the 
other  information  and,  in  doing  so,  consider  whether 
the other information is  materially  inconsistent with the 
consolidated  fi nancial   statements  or  our  knowledge 
obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially 
misstated.  If,  based  on  the  work  we  have  performed, 
we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this 
other information, we are required to report that fact. We 
have nothing to report in this regard.

Responsibilities of Management and Those 
Charged with Governance for the Consolidated 
Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair 
presentation  of  the  consolidated  fi nancial  statements 
in accordance with IFRSs, and for such internal control 
as  management  determines  is  necessary  to  enable 
the  preparation  of  consolidated  fi nancial  statements 
that are free from material misstatement, whether due 
to fraud or error.

In  preparing  the  consolidated  fi nancial  statements, 
management is responsible for assessing the Group’s 
ability  to  continue  as  a  going  concern,  disclosing, 
as  applicable,  matters  related  to  going  concern  and 
using  the  going  concern  basis  of  accounting  unless 
management  either  intends  to  liquidate  the  Group  or 
to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but 
to do so.

Those  charged  with  governance  are  responsible  for 
overseeing the Group’s fi nancial reporting process.

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Our  objectives  are  to  obtain  reasonable  assurance 
about whether the consolidated fi nancial statements as 
a whole are free from material misstatement, whether 
due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report 
that  includes  our  opinion.  Reasonable  assurance 
is  a  high  level  of  assurance,  but  is  not  a  guarantee 
that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs will 
always  detect  a  material  misstatement  when  it  exists. 
Misstatements  can  arise  from  fraud  or  error  and  are 
considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, 
they  could  reasonably  be  expected  to  infl uence  the 
economic  decisions  of  users  taken  on  the  basis  of 
these consolidated fi nancial statements.

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs, we exercise 
professional  judgement  and  maintain  professional 
skepticism throughout the audit. We also: 

•  Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement 
of the consolidated fi nancial statements, whether due 
to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures 
responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence 
that  is  suffi cient  and  appropriate  to  provide  a  basis 
for  our  opinion.  The  risk  of  not  detecting  a  material 
misstatement  resulting  from  fraud  is  higher  than  for 
one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, 
forgery,  intentional  omissions,  misrepresentations,  or 
the override of internal control.

•  Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant 
to  the  audit  in  order  to  design  audit  procedures 
that  are  appropriate  in  the  circumstances,  but  not 
for  the  purpose  of  expressing  an  opinion  on  the 
effectiveness of the Group’s internal control. 

•  Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies 
used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates 
and related disclosures made by management.

•  Conclude  on  the  appropriateness  of  management’s 
use  of  the  going  concern  basis  of  accounting  and, 
based  on  the  audit  evidence  obtained,  whether 

a  material  uncertainty  exists  related  to  events  or 
conditions  that  may  cast  signifi cant  doubt  on  the 
Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we 
conclude  that  a  material  uncertainty  exists,  we  are 
required  to  draw  attention  in  our  auditor’s  report  to 
the  related  disclosures  in  the  consolidated  fi nancial 
statements  or,  if  such  disclosures  are  inadequate,  to 
modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the 
audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s 
report. However, future events or conditions may cause 
the Group to cease to continue as a going concern.

•  Evaluate  the  overall  presentation,  structure  and 
content  of  the  consolidated  fi nancial  statements, 
the 
including 
the  disclosures,  and  whether 
consolidated  fi nancial  statements  represent 
the 
underlying transactions and events in a manner that 
achieves fair presentation.

•  Obtain  suffi cient  appropriate  audit  evidence 
regarding  the  fi nancial  information  of  the  entities  or 
business  activities  within  the  Group  to  express  an 
opinion  on  the  consolidated  fi nancial  statements. 
We are responsible for the direction, supervision and 
performance  of  the  Group  audit.  We  remain  solely 
responsible for our audit opinion.

We communicate with those charged with governance 
regarding,  among  other  matters,  the  planned  scope 
and  timing  of  the  audit  and  signifi cant  audit  fi ndings, 
including any signifi cant defi ciencies in internal control 
that we identify during our audit.

We  also  provide  those  charged  with  governance 
with a statement that we have complied with relevant 
ethical  requirements  regarding  independence,  and 
to  communicate  with  them  all  relationships  and  other 
matters  that  may  reasonably  be  thought  to  bear  on 
our  independence,  and  where  applicable,  related 
safeguards.

From  the  matters  communicated  with  those  charged 
with governance, we determine those matters that were 
of  most  signifi cance  in  the  audit  of  the  consolidated 

52   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   53

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Consolidated Statements of Profi t or Loss 

for the year ended 31 December
for the year ended 31 December 2019

Revenues 

Cost of revenues 

Gross profi t 

Operating expenses

Sales and marketing expenses 

General and administrative expenses 

Research and development expenses  

Other operating income 

Total operating expenses 

Operating profi t 

Finance income 

Finance expenses  

Profi t before tax 

Income tax expense 

Profi t for the year before share of loss of a 
joint venture and associated companies 
Share of loss of a joint venture and associated companies 
Profi t (loss) for the year 

Attributable to: 
Owners of the Company 

Non-controlling interests 

Profi t (loss) for the year 

Profi t per share (in cents) basic  

Profi t per share (in cents) diluted  

Note 

5, 6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

16 

2019 
US$’000 

123,396 

90,251 

33,145 

16,307 

11,753 

6,772 

(6,169) 

28,663 

4,482 

1,612 

(1,316) 

4,778 

(475) 

4,303 

(1,033) 

3,270 

3,917

(647) 

3,270 

0.93 

0.92 

2018 
US$’000

119,561

85,097

34,464

15,635

11,226

7,116

(1,003)

32,974

1,490

653

(935)

1,208

(623)

585

(908)

(323)

358

(681)

(323)

0.09

0.09

54   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019
54   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   55

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these fi nancial statements.

 
 
 
 
 
             
 
 
             
 
 
 
             
 
 
 
 
             
 
 
             
 
 
 
 
             
 
 
 
 
             
 
 
 
 
 
             
 
 
             
 
             
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) 

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

for the year ended 31 December
for the year ended 31 December 2019

for the year ended 31 December
for the year ended 31 December 2019

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2019 

US$’000 

2018

US$’000

Note 

2019 
US$’000 

2018
US$’000

Profi t (loss) for the year 

3,270 

(323)

Items that may be reclassifi ed subsequently
to profi t or loss: 
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations 

Items that will not be reclassifi ed subsequently
to profi t or loss: 
Re-measurement of defi ned benefi t obligation 

Total comprehensive income (loss) for the year 

Attributable to: 
Owners of the Company 
Non-controlling interests 

398 

3,668 

(44) 

3,624 

3,664 
(40) 

3,624 

(2,546)

(2,869)

(51)

(2,920)

(2,509)
(411)

(2,920)

Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade and other receivables  
Financial assets 
Inventories 

Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 
Investment property 
Right of-use assets 
Goodwill 
Other intangible assets 
Investment in joint venture and associates 
Investments carried at fair value 
Deferred tax assets 

Total assets 

Equity and liabilities
Current liabilities
Short-term bank credit 
Trade and other payables 
Current maturities of lease liabilities 
Tax liabilities 

Non-current liabilities
Long-term bank credit 
Long-term liabilities 
Long-term lease liabilities 
Deferred tax liabilities 
Retirement benefi t obligation 

Total liabilities 

Equity 
Share capital 
Share premium account 
Reserves 
Accumulated defi cit 

Equity attributable to the:
Owners of the Company 
Non-controlling interests 

Total equity 

Total equity and liabilities 

18 
17 
19 

 20 
 21 
22 
 23 
 24 
12 
29 
26 

27 
27 
27 

27 
27 
27 
26 
34 

28 

40,584 
42,784 
4,254 
22,672 

110,294 

14,203 
1,899 
9,945 
16,804 
6,941 
9,497 
1,013 
3,234 

63,536 

20,811
35,010
3,577
22,860

82,258

14,076
2,004
–
16,343
6,278
4,210
1,060
2,655

46,626

173,830 

128,884

5,915 
44,459 
2,070 
313 

52,757 

762 
6,215 
8,339 
626 
715 

16,657 

69,414 

1,320 
425,477 
(18,582) 
 (299,391) 

108,824 
(4,408) 

104,416 

173,830 

5,369
33,413
–
173

38,955

486
5,631
–
228
576

6,921

45,876 

1,217
407,796
(18,373)
  (303,264)

87,376
(4,368)

83,008

128,884

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these fi nancial statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these fi nancial statements.

56   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   57

The fi nancial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised on 30 April 2020. They were signed on its behalf by:
Dr. Z. Marom, CEO 

M. Nagar, CFO

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity 

for the years ended 31 December 2019 and 2018
for the year ended 31 December 2019

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow 

for the year ended 31 December
for the year ended 31 December 2019

Share 
Capital

Share 
Premium 
Account

Translation 
Reserve

Other 
Reserve

Accumulated 
Defi cit

Attributable 
to owners of 
the company

Non-
Controlling 
Interests

Total 
Equity

US$ in thousands

Net cash from operating activities 

Note 

30 

2019 

US$’000 

7,166 

Balance as at 
1 January 2018 

1,216 

407,688 

(15,045) 

(512) 

(303,571) 

89,776 

(3,957) 

85,819

1,217 

407,796 

(17,861) 

(512) 

(303,264) 

87,376 

(4,368) 

83,008

Profi t (loss) for the year 

– 

Re-measurement 
of defi ned benefi t 
obligation 

Exchange differences
on translating foreign
operations 

Total comprehensive
loss for the year 

Exercise of share- 
based options by
employees 

Recognition of share-
based payments 

Balance as at
1 January 2019 

Profi t (loss) for the 
year 

Re-measurement 
of defi ned benefi t 
obligation 

Exchange differences
on translating foreign
operations 

– 

– 

– 

1 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Total comprehensive
income (loss) for the year  – 

Issue of share capital 

93 

16,981 

Exercise of share- 
based options by
employees 

Recognition of share-
based payments 

Balance as at
31 December 2019

10 

– 

595 

105 

– 

– 

– 

– 

50 

58 

– 

– 

(2,816) 

(2,816) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

358 

358 

(681) 

(323)

(51) 

(51) 

– 

(51)

– 

(2,816) 

270 

(2,546)

307 

(2,509) 

(411) 

(2,920)

– 

– 

51 

58 

– 

– 

51

58

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(209) 

(209) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

3,917 

3,917 

(647) 

3,270

(44) 

(44) 

– 

(44)

– 

(209) 

607 

398

3,873 

– 

– 

– 

3,664 

17,074 

(40) 

3,624

– 

17,074

605 

105 

– 

– 

605

105

1,320 

425,477 

(18,070) 

(512) 

(299,391) 

108,824 

(4,408) 

104,416

Investing activities 
Interest received 
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment 
Tax paid on disposal of property, plant and equipment 
Proceeds on disposal of deposits 
Proceeds on disposal of fi nancial assets carried at fair value 

through profi t and loss 

Proceeds on sale of investment 
Loans repay (granted)  
Purchases of property, plant and equipment 
Increase of other intangible assets  
Purchases of fi nancial assets carried at fair value through 

profi t and loss 

Increase in fi nancial assets carried at fair value 
Purchases of deposits 
Investment in joint venture 
Investment in associated company 
Acquisition of subsidiaries 

Net cash from (used in) investing activities 

Financing activities 
Lease payment 
Bank loan repayment 
Bank loan received 
Proceed on issue of share capital, net 
Proceed on exercise of shares 

Net cash from (used in) fi nancing activities 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 
Effects of exchange rate changes on the balance of cash 

held in foreign currencies 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 

31 

22 
27 
27 

205 
113 
(19) 
3,234 

– 
3,430 
– 
(686) 
(1,523) 

(760) 
– 
(3,112) 
(1,952) 
(575) 
(937) 

(2,582) 

(2,361) 
(9,922) 
10,086 
17,074 
605 

15,482 

20,066 
20,811 

(293) 

40,584 

2018

US$’000

2,607

219
6,507
(1,913)
4,579

2,391
–
133
(1,692)
(1,894)

(840)
(321)
(4,004)
(1,616)
(80)
(633)

836

–
(9,956)
9,596
–
51

(309)

3,134
18,182

(505)

20,811

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these fi nancial statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these fi nancial statements.

58   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   59

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

1.  General Information

BATM Advanced Communications Ltd. (“the Company”) is a company incorporated in Israel under the Israeli Companies 
Law.  The  address  of  the  registered  offi ce  is  POB  7318,  Nave  Ne’eman  Ind.  Area  4,  Ha’harash  Street,  4524075  Hod 
Hasharon,  Israel.  The  Company  and  its  subsidiaries  (“the  Group”)  are  engaged  in  the  research  and  development, 
production and marketing of data communication products in the fi eld of Metropolitan area networks and is operating in 
the Bio-Medical market. The Bio-Medical division of the Group is engaged in the research and development, production, 
marketing and distribution of Bio-Medical products, primarily laboratory diagnostics and sterilisation equipment.

for the year ended 31 December 2019

Applying IFRS 16, for all leases (except as noted below), the Group:

(a)   Recognises  right-of-use  assets  and  lease  liabilities  in  the  consolidated  statement  of  fi nancial  position,  initially 

measured at the present value of the future lease payments;

(b)  Recognises depreciation of right-of-use assets and interest on lease liabilities in profi t or loss;

(c)   Separates the total amount of cash paid into a principal portion (presented within fi nancing activities) and interest 

(presented within operating activities) in the consolidated statement of cash fl ows.

2 

Adoption of new and revised International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs)

Under IFRS 16, right-of-use assets are tested for impairment in accordance with IAS 36.

2.1 New and amended IFRS standards that are eff ective for the current year 
 In the current year, the Group has applied a number of new and amended to IFRSs issued by the International Accounting 
Standards Board (IASB) that are mandatorily effective for an accounting period that begins on or after 1 January 2019.

IFRS 16 Leases

Impact of initial application of IFRS 16 Leases

 IFRS 16 introduces new or amended requirements with respect to lease accounting. It introduces signifi cant changes 
to  lessee  accounting  by  removing  the  distinction  between  operating  and  fi nance  lease  and  requiring  the  recognition 
of  a  right-of-use  asset  and  a  lease  liability  at  commencement  for  all  leases,  except  for  short-term  leases  and  leases 
of  low  value  assets.  In  contrast  to  lessee  accounting,  the  requirements  for  lessor  accounting  have  remained  largely 
unchanged. Details of these new requirements are described in note 3. The impact of the adoption of IFRS 16 on the 
Group’s consolidated fi nancial statements is described below.

The date of initial application of IFRS 16 for the Group is 1 January 2019.

For short-term leases (lease term of 12 months or less), the Group has opted to recognise a lease expense on a straight-
line basis as permitted by IFRS 16.

Impact on Lessor Accounting
IFRS 16 does not change substantially how a lessor accounts for leases. Under IFRS 16, a lessor continues to classify 
leases as either fi nance leases or operating leases and account for those two types of leases differently.

However, IFRS 16 has changed and expanded the disclosures required, in particular with regard to how a lessor manages 
the risks arising from its residual interest in leased assets.

Financial impact of initial application of IFRS 16
The  weighted  average  lessees  incremental  borrowing  rate  applied  to  lease  liabilities  recognised  in  the  statement  of 
fi nancial position on 1 January 2019 is 3.12%.

As at 31 December 2018, the Group has non-cancellable operating lease commitments, mainly lease of real estates, of 
approximately $13.7 million.

The Group has chosen the modifi ed retrospectively application of IFRS 16 in accordance with IFRS 16:C5(b). Consequently, 
the Group did not restate comparative information. 

The opening balance indicates that $0.3 million of these arrangements relate to short-term leases.

Impact of the new defi nition of a lease
The Group has made use of the practical expedient available on transition to IFRS 16 not to reassess whether a contract 
is or contains a lease. Accordingly, the defi nition of a lease in accordance with IAS 17 and IFRIC 4 will continue to be 
applied to those contracts entered or modifi ed before 1 January 2019.

The  change  in  defi nition  of  a  lease  mainly  relates  to  the  concept  of  control.  IFRS  16  determines  whether  a  contract 
contains a lease on the basis of whether the customer has the right to control the use of an identifi ed asset for a period of 
time in exchange for consideration. This is in contrast to the focus on ‘risks and rewards’ in IAS 17 and IFRIC 4.

The  Group  applies  the  defi nition  of  a  lease  and  related  guidance  set  out  in  IFRS  16  to  all  contracts  entered  into  or 
changed on or after 1 January 2019. In preparation for the fi rst-time application of IFRS 16, the Group has carried out an 
implementation project. The project has shown that the new defi nition in IFRS 16 will not signifi cantly change the scope 
of contracts that meet the defi nition of a lease for the Group.

Impact on Lessee Accounting
Former operating leases
IFRS 16 changes how the Group accounts for leases previously classifi ed as operating leases under IAS 17, which were 
off balance sheet.

The opening balance indicates that $13.4 million of these arrangements relate to leases other than short-term leases, and 
hence the Group will recognise a right-of-use asset of $11.8 million and a corresponding lease liability of $11.8 million in 
respect of all these leases.

There is also an impact to the income statement, resulting in an increase to operating profi t through the operating lease 
expense being removed and replaced with a smaller depreciation charge. This impact resulted in increase in operating 
profi t. There is an interest expense under the new accounting, that was not have occurred under IAS 17, which resulted 
in decrease in the profi t before tax. There is not an impact to total cash fl ows; however there is an increase in cash fl ows 
from operating activities, and a corresponding decrease in cash fl ows from fi nancing activities.

IFRIC 23 – Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments

 The Group has adopted IFRIC 23 for the fi rst time in the current year. IFRIC 23 sets out how to determine the accounting 
tax position when there is uncertainty over income tax treatments. The Interpretation requires the Group to:

•  determine whether uncertain tax positions are assessed separately or as a group; and

• 

 assess whether it is probable that a tax authority will accept an uncertain tax treatment used, or proposed to be used, 
by an entity in its income tax fi lings:

60   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   61

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

for the year ended 31 December 2019

– 

– 

 If yes, the Group should determine its accounting tax position consistently with the tax treatment used or planned to 
be used in its income tax fi lings.

3 

Signifi cant Accounting Policies

Statement of compliance

 If no, the Group should refl ect the effect of uncertainty in determining its accounting tax position using either the most 
likely amount or the expected value method.

The consolidated fi nancial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

The application of IFRIC 23 has had no signifi cant impact on the Group’s consolidated fi nancial statements.

Basis of preparation

2.2 New and revised IFRSs in issue but not yet eff ective  

The Group has not applied the following new and revised IFRSs that have been issued but are not yet effective:

The  consolidated  fi nancial  statements  have  been  prepared  on  the  historical  cost  basis  except  for  certain  properties 
and fi nancial instruments that are measured at revalued amounts or fair values at the end of each reporting period, as 
explained in the accounting policies below.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Amendments to IFRS 3

Defi nition of a business1

Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8

Defi nition of material1

1 Effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2020, with earlier application permitted.

Amendments to IFRS 3 Defi nition of a business

The  amendments  clarify  that  while  businesses  usually  have  outputs,  outputs  are  not  required  for  an  integrated  set  of 
activities and assets to qualify as a business. To be considered a business an acquired set of activities and assets must 
include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together signifi cantly contribute to the ability to create 
outputs.

The amendments introduce an optional concentration test that permits a simplifi ed assessment of whether an acquired 
set of activities and assets is not a business. Under the optional concentration test, the acquired set of activities and 
assets  is  not  a  business  if  substantially  all  of  the  fair  value  of  the  gross  assets  acquired  is  concentrated  in  a  single 
identifi able asset or group of similar assets.

The amendments are applied prospectively to all business combinations and asset acquisitions for which the acquisition 
date is on or after the fi rst annual reporting period beginning on or after 1 January 2020, with early application permitted.

Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8 Defi nition of material

The amendments are intended to make the defi nition of material in IAS 1 easier to understand and are not intended to alter 
the underlying concept of materiality in IFRS Standards. The concept of ‘obscuring’ material information with immaterial 
information has been included as part of the new defi nition.

The threshold for materiality infl uencing users has been changed from ‘could infl uence’ to ‘could reasonably be expected 
to infl uence’. 

The defi nition of material in IAS 8 has been replaced by a reference to the defi nition of material in IAS 1. In addition, the 
IASB amended other Standards and the Conceptual Framework that contain a defi nition of material or refer to the term 
‘material’ to ensure consistency.

The  amendments  are  applied  prospectively  for  annual  periods  beginning  on  or  after  1  January  2020,  with  earlier 
application permitted.

Historical cost is generally based on the fair value of the consideration given in exchange for goods and services.

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between 
market  participants  at  the  measurement  date,  regardless  of  whether  that  price  is  directly  observable  or  estimated 
using another valuation technique. In estimating the fair value of an asset or a liability, the Group takes into account the 
characteristics of the asset or liability if market participants would take those characteristics into account when pricing the 
asset or liability at the measurement date. Fair value for measurement and/or disclosure purposes in these consolidated 
fi nancial  statements  is  determined  on  such  a  basis,  except  for  share-based  payment  transactions  that  are  within  the 
scope of IFRS 2, leasing transactions that are within the scope of IFRS 16, and measurements that have some similarities 
to fair value but are not fair value, such as net realisable value in IAS 2 or value in use in IAS 36.

In addition, for fi nancial reporting purposes, fair value measurements are categorised into Level 1, 2 or 3 based on the 
degree to which the inputs to the fair value measurements are observable and the signifi cance of the inputs to the fair 
value measurement in its entirety, which are described as follows:

• 

• 

 Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity can 
access at the measurement date;
 Level 2 inputs are inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, that are observable for the asset or liability, 
either directly or indirectly; and

•  Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. 

The principal accounting policies are set out below.

Basis of consolidation

The  consolidated  fi nancial  statements  incorporate  the  fi nancial  statements  of  the  Company  and  entities  (including 
structured entities) controlled by the Company and its subsidiaries. Control is achieved when the Company:

•  has power over the investee;
• 
•  has the ability to use its power to affect its returns.

is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee; and

The Company reassesses whether or not it controls an investee if facts and circumstances indicate that there are changes 
to one or more of the three elements of control listed above.

Consolidation  of  a  subsidiary  begins  when  the  Company  obtains  control  over  the  subsidiary  and  ceases  when  the 
Company  loses  control  of  the  subsidiary.  Specifi cally,  income  and  expenses  of  a  subsidiary  acquired  or  disposed  of 
during the year are included in the consolidated statement of profi t or loss and other comprehensive income from the date 
the Company gains control until the date when the Company ceases to control the subsidiary.

62   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   63

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

for the year ended 31 December 2019

Profi t or loss and each component of other comprehensive income are attributed to the owners of the Company and to 
the non-controlling interests. Total comprehensive income of subsidiaries is attributed to the owners of the Company and 
to the non-controlling interests even if this results in the non-controlling interests having a defi cit balance.

When necessary, adjustments are made to the fi nancial statements of subsidiaries to bring their accounting policies in 
line with the Group’s accounting policies.

Business combinations
 Acquisitions of businesses are accounted for using the acquisition method. The consideration transferred in a business 
combination  is  measured  at  fair  value,  which  is  calculated  as  the  sum  of  the  acquisition-date  fair  values  of  the  assets 
transferred by the Group, liabilities incurred by the Group to the former owners of the acquiree and the equity interests issued 
by the Group in exchange for control of the acquiree. Acquisition-related costs are generally recognised in profi t or loss as 
incurred.

All intragroup assets and liabilities, equity, income, expenses and cash fl ows relating to transactions between members 
of the Group are eliminated in full on consolidation.

At the acquisition date, the identifi ed assets acquired and the liabilities assumed are recognised at their fair value, except 
that:

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Investments in associates and joint ventures

An associate is an entity over which the Group has signifi cant infl uence. Signifi cant infl uence is the power to participate 
in the fi nancial and operating policy decisions of the investee but without control or joint control over those policies.

A joint venture is a joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement have rights to the net 
assets of the joint arrangement. Joint control is the contractually agreed sharing of control of an arrangement, which exists 
only when decisions about the relevant activities require unanimous consent of the parties sharing control.

An investment in an associate or a joint venture is accounted for using the equity method from the date on which the 
investee becomes an associate or a joint venture. On acquisition of the investment in an associate or a joint venture, any 
excess of the cost of the investment over the Group’s share of the net fair value of the identifi able assets and liabilities 
of the investee is recognised as goodwill, which is included within the carrying amount of the investment. Any excess 
of the Group’s share of the net fair value of the identifi able assets and liabilities over the cost of the investment, after 
reassessment, is recognised immediately in profi t or loss in the period in which the investment is acquired.

The  requirements  of  IAS  36  are  applied  to  determine  whether  it  is  necessary  to  recognise  any  impairment  loss  with 
respect to the Group’s investment in an associate or a joint venture. When necessary, the entire carrying amount of the 
investment (including goodwill) is tested for impairment in accordance with IAS 36 Impairment of Assets as a single asset 
by comparing its recoverable amount (higher of value in use and fair value less costs of disposal) with its carrying amount, 
Any impairment loss recognised forms part of the carrying amount of the investment. Any reversal of that impairment 
loss is recognised in accordance with IAS 36 to the extent that the recoverable amount of the investment subsequently 
increases.

When the Group reduces its ownership interest in an associate or a joint venture, but continues to use the equity method, 
the Group reclassifi es to profi t or loss the proportion of the gain or loss that had previously been recognised in other 
comprehensive income relating to that reduction in ownership interest if that gain or loss would be reclassifi ed to profi t or 
loss on the disposal of the related assets or liabilities.

When a Group entity transacts with an associate or a joint venture of the Group, profi ts and losses resulting from the 
transactions with the associate or joint venture are recognised in the Group’s consolidated fi nancial statements only to 
the extent of interests in the associate or joint venture that are not related to the Group.

Changes in the Group’s ownership interests in existing subsidiaries

Changes in the Group’s ownership interests in subsidiaries that do not result in the Group losing control over the subsidiaries 
are accounted for as equity transactions. The carrying amounts of the Group’s interests and the non-controlling interests 
are adjusted to refl ect the changes in their relative interests in the subsidiaries. Any difference between the amount by 
which the non-controlling interests are adjusted and the fair value of the consideration paid or received is recognised 
directly in equity and attributed to owners of the Company.

• 

• 

• 

 deferred tax assets or liabilities, and assets or liabilities related to employee benefi t arrangements are recognised and 
measured in accordance with IAS 12 Income Taxes and IAS 19 respectively;
 liabilities or equity instruments related to share-based payment arrangements of the acquiree or share-based payment 
arrangements of the Group entered into to replace share-based payment arrangements of the acquiree are measured 
in accordance with IFRS 2 at the acquisition date; and
 assets (or disposal groups) that are classifi ed as held for sale in accordance with IFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for 
Sale and Discontinued Operations are measured in accordance with that Standard.

Goodwill is measured as the excess of the sum of the consideration transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interests 
in the acquiree, and the fair value of the acquirer’s previously held equity interest in the acquiree (if any) over the net of the 
acquisition-date amounts of the identifi able assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. If, after reassessment, the net of the 
acquisition-date amounts of the identifi able assets acquired and liabilities assumed exceeds the sum of the consideration 
transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree and the fair value of the acquirer’s previously held 
interest in the acquiree (if any), the excess is recognised immediately in profi t or loss as a bargain purchase gain.

Non-controlling  interests  that  are  present  ownership  interests  and  entitle  their  holders  to  a  proportionate  share  of  the 
entity’s net assets in the event of liquidation may be initially measured either at fair value or at the non-controlling interests’ 
proportionate share of the recognised amounts of the acquiree’s identifi able net assets. The choice of measurement basis 
is made on a transaction-by-transaction basis.

When  the  consideration  transferred  by  the  Group  in  a  business  combination  includes  assets  or  liabilities  resulting  from 
a  contingent  consideration  arrangement,  the  contingent  consideration  is  measured  at  its  acquisition-date  fair  value  and 
included as part of the consideration transferred in a business combination. Changes in the fair value of the contingent 
consideration that qualify as measurement period adjustments are adjusted retrospectively, with corresponding adjustments 
against goodwill. Measurement period adjustments are adjustments that arise from additional information obtained during 
the ‘measurement period’ (which cannot exceed one year from the acquisition date) about facts and circumstances that 
existed at the acquisition date.

The subsequent accounting for changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration that do not qualify as measurement 
period adjustments depends on how the contingent consideration is classifi ed. Contingent consideration that is classifi ed 
as equity is not remeasured at subsequent reporting dates and its subsequent settlement is accounted for within equity. 

Contingent consideration that is classifi ed as an asset or a liability is remeasured at subsequent reporting dates in accordance 
with IAS 39, or IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets, as appropriate, with the corresponding gain 
or loss being recognised in profi t or loss.

When a business combination is achieved in stages, the Group’s previously held equity interest in the acquiree is remeasured 
to its acquisition-date fair value and the resulting gain or loss, if any, is recognised in profi t or loss. Amounts arising from 
interests in the acquiree prior to the acquisition date that have previously been recognised in other comprehensive income 
are reclassifi ed to profi t or loss where such treatment would be appropriate if that interest were disposed of.

64   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

for the year ended 31 December 2019

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

If the initial accounting for a business combination is incomplete by the end of the reporting period in which the combination 
occurs,  the  Group  reports  provisional  amounts  for  the  items  for  which  the  accounting  is  incomplete.  Those  provisional 
amounts are adjusted during the measurement period (see above), or additional assets or liabilities are recognised, to refl ect 
new  information  obtained  about  facts  and  circumstances  that  existed  at  the  acquisition  date  that,  if  known,  would  have 
affected the amounts recognised at that date.

Goodwill

 Goodwill arising on an acquisition of a business is carried at cost as established at the date of acquisition of the business 
less accumulated impairment losses, if any. Goodwill is not amortised but is reviewed for impairment at least annually. 
For the purposes of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to each of the Group’s cash-generating units (or groups of 
cash-generating units) that is expected to benefi t from the synergies of the combination. A cash-generating unit to which 
goodwill has been allocated is tested for impairment annually, or more frequently when there is an indication that the unit 
may be impaired. If the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit is less than its carrying amount, the impairment 
loss is allocated fi rst to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the unit and then to the other assets of 
the unit pro rata based on the carrying amount of each asset in the unit. Any impairment loss for goodwill is recognised 
directly in profi t or loss. An impairment loss recognised for goodwill is not reversed in subsequent periods.

Non-current assets held for sale

Non-current assets and disposal groups are classifi ed as held for sale if their carrying amount will be recovered principally 
through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use. This condition is regarded as met only when the asset (or 
disposal group) is available for immediate sale in its present condition subject only to terms that are usual and customary 
for sales of such asset (or disposal group) and its sale is highly probable. Management must be committed to the sale, 
which should be expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within one year from the date of classifi cation.

When the Group is committed to a sale plan involving loss of control of a subsidiary, all of the assets and liabilities of that 
subsidiary are classifi ed as held for sale when the criteria described above are met, regardless of whether the Group will 
retain a non-controlling interest in its former subsidiary after the sale.

Non-current assets (and disposal groups) classifi ed as held for sale are measured at the lower of their previous carrying 
amount and fair value less costs to sell.

Revenue recognition

The Group recognises revenue from the following major sources:

• 

• 

 Sale of goods - Communication products, Bio-Medical products such as laboratory diagnostics and sterilisation Eco-
Med products
 Rendering of services - Software services such as training, technical support and maintenance related to the communication 
products, mobile & web solutions, UI, UX design, branding, graphical design, drivers & embedded solutions

•  Construction contracts

Revenue is measured based on the consideration to which the Group expects to be entitled in a contract with a customer 
and excludes amounts collected on behalf of third parties. The Group recognises revenue when it transfers control of a 
product or service to a customer.

Sale of goods
For sales of goods, revenue is recognised when control of the goods has transferred, being when the goods have been 
shipped to the customer’s specifi c location (delivery). Following delivery, the customer has full discretion over the manner 
of distribution and price to sell the goods, has the primary responsibility when onselling the goods and bears the risks of 
obsolescence and loss in relation to the goods.

A receivable is recognised by the Group when the goods are delivered to the customer as this represents the point in time 
at which the right to consideration becomes unconditional, as only the passage of time is required before payment is due.

Rendering of services
The Group provides a service of installation of various software products for specialised business operations.

Such services are recognised as a performance obligation satisfi ed over time. Revenue is recognised for these installation 
services based on the stage of completion of the contract. The management have assessed that the stage of completion 
determined as the proportion of the total time expected to install that has elapsed at the end of the reporting period is an 
appropriate measure of progress towards complete satisfaction of these performance obligations under IFRS 15.

Construction contracts
Where the outcome of a construction contract can be estimated reliably, revenue and costs are recognised over time by 
reference to the stage of completion of the contract activity at the date of the consolidated statements of fi nancial position. 
This is normally measured by the proportion that contract costs incurred for work performed to date bear to the estimated 
total contract costs except where this would not be representative of the stage of completion or engineering completion. 
The management consider that this input method is an appropriate measure of the progress towards complete satisfaction 
of these performance obligations under IFRS 15. Variations in contract work, claims and incentive payments are included 
to the extent that they have been agreed with the customer.

Where the outcome of a construction contract cannot be estimated reliably, contract revenue is recognised to the extent 
of contract costs incurred that it is probable will be recoverable. Contract costs are recognised as expenses in the period 
in which they are incurred.

When it is probable that total contract costs will exceed total contract revenue, the expected loss is recognised as an 
expense immediately.

Dividend and interest income
Dividend income from investments is recognised when the shareholder’s right to receive payment has been established 
(provided that it is probable that the economic benefi ts will fl ow to the Group and the amount of income can be measured 
reliably).

Leases

The  Group  has  applied  IFRS  16  using  the  cumulative  catch-up  approach  and  therefore  comparative  information  has 
not been restated and is presented under IAS 17. The details of accounting policies under both IAS 17 and IFRS 16 are 
presented separately below.

Policies applicable from 1 January 2019
The Group as a lessee
The Group assesses whether a contract is or contains a lease, at inception of the contract. The Group recognises a right-
of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability with respect to all lease arrangements in which it is the lessee, except 
for short-term leases (defi ned as leases with a lease term of 12 months or less). For these leases, the Group recognises 
the lease payments as an operating expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease unless another systematic 
basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefi ts from the leased assets are consumed.

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement 
date,  discounted  by  using  the  rate  implicit  in  the  lease.  If  this  rate  cannot  be  readily  determined,  the  lessee  uses  its 
incremental borrowing rate.

The lease liability is presented as a separate line in the consolidated statement of fi nancial position.

66   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   67

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

for the year ended 31 December 2019

The lease liability is subsequently measured by increasing the carrying amount to refl ect interest on the lease liability 
(using the effective interest method) and by reducing the carrying amount to refl ect the lease payments made.

The right-of-use assets comprise the initial measurement of the corresponding lease liability, lease payments made at 
or before the commencement day, less any lease incentives received and any initial direct costs. They are subsequently 
measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses.

In the event that lease incentives are received to enter into operating leases, such incentives are recognised as a liability. 
The aggregate benefi t of incentives is recognised as a reduction of rental expense on a straight-line basis, except where 
another systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefi ts from the leased asset are 
consumed.

Foreign currencies

Right-of-use  assets  are  depreciated  over  the  shorter  period  of  lease  term  and  useful  life  of  the  underlying  asset.  If  a 
lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset or the cost of the right-of-use asset refl ects that the Group expects to 
exercise a purchase option, the related right-of-use asset is depreciated over the useful life of the underlying asset. The 
depreciation starts at the commencement date of the lease.

The  individual  fi nancial  statements  of  each  Group  company  are  prepared  in  the  currency  of  the  primary  economic 
environment in which it operates (its functional currency). For the purpose of the consolidated fi nancial statements, the 
results and fi nancial position of each Group company are expressed in the US dollar, which is the presentation currency 
for the consolidated fi nancial statements.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The right-of-use assets are presented as a separate line in the consolidated statement of fi nancial position.

The Group applies IAS 36 to determine whether a right-of-use asset is impaired and accounts for any identifi ed impairment 
loss. 

As a practical expedient, IFRS 16 permits a lessee not to separate non-lease components, and instead account for any 
lease and associated non-lease components as a single arrangement. The Group has used this practical expedient.

The Group as lessor
The Group enters into lease agreements as a lessor with respect to some of its investment properties.

Leases for which the Group is a lessor are classifi ed as fi nance or operating leases. Whenever the terms of the lease 
transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessee, the contract is classifi ed as a fi nance lease. All 
other leases are classifi ed as operating leases.

Rental income from operating leases is recognised on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant lease. Initial direct 
costs incurred in negotiating and arranging an operating lease are added to the carrying amount of the leased asset and 
recognised on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Policies applicable prior to 1 January 2019
Leases are classifi ed as fi nance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of 
ownership to the lessee. All other leases are classifi ed as operating leases.

The Group as lessor
Rental income from operating leases is recognised on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant lease. Initial direct 
costs incurred in negotiating and arranging an operating lease are added to the carrying amount of the leased asset and 
recognised on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

The Group as lessee
Assets held under fi nance leases are initially recognised as assets of the Group at their fair value at the inception of the 
lease or, if lower, at the present value of the minimum lease payments. The corresponding liability to the lessor is included 
in the consolidated statement of fi nancial position as a fi nance lease obligation.

Operating  lease  payments  are  recognised  as  an  expense  on  a  straight-line  basis  over  the  lease  term,  except  where 
another systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefi ts from the leased asset are 
consumed. Contingent rentals arising under operating leases are recognised as an expense in the period in which they 
are incurred.

In preparing the fi nancial statement of the individual companies, transactions in currencies other than the entity’s functional 
currency (foreign currencies) are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the dates of the transactions. At the end 
of each reporting period, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at 
the rates prevailing at that date. Non-monetary items carried at fair value that are denominated in foreign currencies are 
translated at the rates prevailing at the date when the fair value was determined. Non-monetary items that are measured 
in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are not retranslated.

Exchange  differences  arising  on  the  settlement  of  monetary  items,  and  on  the  retranslation  of  monetary  items,  are 
included in profi t or loss for the period.

For  the  purpose  of  presenting  consolidated  fi nancial  statements,  the  assets  and  liabilities  of  the  Group’s  foreign 
operations  (operations  in  foreign  currencies)  are  translated  at  exchange  rates  prevailing  at  the  end  of  each  reporting 
period. Income and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates for the period, unless exchange rates 
fl uctuate signifi cantly during that period, in which case the exchange rates at the date of transactions are used. Exchange 
differences arising, if any, are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity (attributed to non-
controlling interests as appropriate) within the Group’s translation reserve. Such translation reserves are reclassifi ed from 
equity to profi t or loss in the period in which the foreign operation is disposed.

Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of a foreign operation are treated as assets and liabilities 
of  the  foreign  operation  and  translated  at  the  closing  rate.  Exchange  differences  arising  are  recognised  in  other 
comprehensive income and accumulated in equity.

Government grants

Government grants are assistance from government in the form of transfers of resources to an entity in return for past or 
future compliance with certain conditions relating to the operating activities of the entity.

Forgivable loans are loans where the lender (Israeli Chief Scientist Offi cer (ISO)) undertakes to waive repayment under 
certain  prescribed  conditions.  In  a  case  where  a  government  grant  takes  the  form  of  a  forgivable  loan,  a  liability  is 
recognised in regards to this loan at fair value, based on estimations of future cash fl ows arising from the relevant grant. 
It is the Group’s policy to designate all such loans as fi nancial liabilities measured at amortised cost according to IFRS 9.

Government grants are not recognised until there is reasonable assurance that the Group will comply with the conditions 
attached to them and that the grants will be received.

Government grants are recognised in profi t or loss on a systematic basis over the periods in which the Group recognises 
as expenses the related costs for which the grants are intended to compensate.

68   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

for the year ended 31 December 2019

Government  grants  towards  research  and  development  costs  are  netted  against  related  expenses  over  the  periods 
necessary to match them with the related costs.

Employee benefi ts

The fair value determined at the grant date of the equity-settled share-based payments is expensed on a straight-line basis 
over the vesting period, based on the Group’s estimate of equity instruments that will eventually vest, with a corresponding 
increase in equity. At the end of each reporting period, the Group revises its estimate of the number of equity instruments 
expected to vest. The impact of the revision of the original estimates, if any, is recognised in profi t or loss such that the 
cumulative expense refl ects the revised estimate, with a corresponding adjustment to the share premium reserve.

Retirement benefi t costs and termination benefi ts
Payments to defi ned contribution retirement benefi t plans are recognised as an expense when employees have rendered 
service entitling them to the contributions.

Taxation

For defi ned benefi t retirement plans, the cost of providing benefi ts is determined using the projected unit credit method, 
with actuarial valuations being carried out at the end of each annual reporting period.

Remeasurement, comprising actuarial gains and losses, the effect of the changes to the asset ceiling (if applicable) and 
the return on plan assets (excluding interest), is refl ected immediately in the statement of fi nancial position with a charge 
or credit recognised in other comprehensive income in the period in which they occur. Remeasurement recognised in 
other comprehensive income is refl ected immediately in retained earnings and will not be reclassifi ed to profi t or loss. 
Past service cost is recognised in profi t or loss in the period of a plan amendment. Net interest is calculated by applying 
the  discount  rate  at  the  beginning  of  the  period  to  the  net  defi ned  benefi t  liability  or  asset.  Defi ned  benefi t  costs  are 
categorised as follows:

• 

 service  cost  (including  current  service  cost,  past  service  cost,  as  well  as  gains  and  losses  on  curtailments  and 
settlements);

•  net interest expense or income; and
• 

remeasurement.

The Group presents the fi rst two components of defi ned benefi t costs in profi t or loss in the line item employee benefi ts 
expense. Curtailment gains and losses are accounted for as past service costs.

The retirement benefi t obligation recognised in the consolidated statement of fi nancial position represents the actual defi cit 
or surplus in the Group’s defi ned benefi t plans. Any surplus resulting from this calculation is limited to the present value of 
any economic benefi ts available in the form of refunds from the plans or reductions in future contributions to the plans.

The income tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

Current tax
The tax currently payable is based on taxable profi t for the year. Taxable profi t differs from profi t before tax as reported in 
the consolidated statement of profi t or loss because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible 
in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The Group’s liability for current tax is 
calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period.

Deferred tax
Deferred  tax  is  recognised  on  temporary  differences  between  the  carrying  amounts  of  assets  and  liabilities  in  the 
consolidated fi nancial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profi t. Deferred 
tax liabilities are generally recognised for all taxable temporary differences. Deferred tax assets are generally recognised 
for all deductible temporary differences to the extent that it is probable that taxable profi ts will be available against which 
those deductible temporary differences can be utilised. Such deferred tax assets and liabilities are not recognised if the 
temporary difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition (other than in a business combination) of other 
assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the taxable profi t nor the accounting profi t.

Deferred  tax  liabilities  are  recognised  for  taxable  temporary  differences  associated  with  investments  in  subsidiaries 
and associates, and interests in joint ventures, except where the Group is able to control the reversal of the temporary 
difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. Deferred tax assets 
arising from deductible temporary differences associated with such investments and interests are only recognised to the 
extent that it is probable that there will be suffi cient taxable profi ts against which to utilise the benefi ts of the temporary 
differences and they are expected to reverse in the foreseeable future.

A liability for a termination benefi t is recognised at the earlier of when the entity can no longer withdraw the offer of the 
termination benefi t and when the entity recognises any related restructuring costs.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at the end of each reporting period and reduced to the extent 
that it is no longer probable that suffi cient taxable profi ts will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered.

Short-term and other long-term employee benefi ts
A liability is recognised for benefi ts accruing to employees in respect of wages and salaries, annual leave and sick leave 
in the period the related service is rendered at the undiscounted amount of the benefi ts expected to be paid in exchange 
for that service.

Liabilities recognised in respect of short-term employee benefi ts are measured at the undiscounted amount of the benefi ts 
expected to be paid in exchange for the related service.

Liabilities recognised in respect of other long-term employee benefi ts are measured at the present value of the estimated future 
cash outfl ows expected to be made by the Group in respect of services provided by employees up to the reporting date.

Share-based payments arrangements

Share-based payment transactions of the Company
Equity-settled share-based payments to employees and others providing similar services are measured at the fair value 
of the equity instruments at the grant date. Details regarding the determination of the fair value of equity-settled share-
based transactions are set out in note 33.

Deferred tax liabilities and assets are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period in which the 
liability is settled or the asset realised, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted 
by the end of the reporting period. The measurement of deferred tax liabilities and assets refl ects the tax consequences 
that would follow from the manner in which the Group expects, at the end of the reporting period, to recover or settle the 
carrying amount of its assets and liabilities.

Current and deferred tax for the year
Current and deferred tax are recognised in profi t or loss, except when they relate to items that are recognised in other 
comprehensive  income  or  directly  in  equity,  in  which  case,  the  current  and  deferred  tax  are  also  recognised  in  other 
comprehensive income or directly in equity respectively. Where current tax or deferred tax arises from the initial accounting 
for a business combination, the tax effect is included in the accounting for the business combination.

Investment Property

Investment  properties  are  properties  held  to  earn  rentals  and/or  for  capital  appreciation.  Investment  properties  are 
measured  initially  at  cost,  including  transaction  costs.  Subsequent  to  initial  recognition,  investment  properties  are 
measured at cost.

70   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

for the year ended 31 December 2019

All of the Group’s property interests held under operating leases to earn rentals or for capital appreciation purposes are 
accounted for as investment properties and are measured using the cost model.

Depreciation is charged so as to write off the cost of assets over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method 
between 10%-33%.

Transfers from owner-occupied property to investment property are made when the Company ends owner-occupation.

Acquired intangible assets

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Property, plant and equipment

Land and buildings held for use in the production or supply of goods or services, or for administrative purposes, are 
stated in the consolidated statements of fi nancial position on a historical cost basis, being the historical cost at the date 
of acquisition, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

Properties in the course of construction for production, administrative purposes, or for purposes not yet determined, are 
carried at cost, less any recognised impairment loss. Cost includes professional fees. Depreciation of these assets, on 
the same basis as other property assets, commences when the assets are ready for their intended use.

Freehold  land  is  not  depreciated.  Fixtures  and  equipment  are  stated  at  cost  less  accumulated  depreciation  and  any 
recognised impairment loss.

Depreciation is charged so as to write off the cost of assets, other than land over their estimated useful lives, using the 
straight-line method, on the following bases:

Buildings 
Plant and equipment 
Motor Vehicles 
Furniture and fi ttings 
Leasehold Improvements 

3%-4%
10%-33%
15%-20%
6%-15%
7%-20%

The  gain  or  loss  arising  on  the  disposal  or  retirement  of  an  asset  is  determined  as  the  difference  between  the  sales 
proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset and is recognised in income.

Research and development expenditure

Internally-generated intangible assets – research and development expenditure
Expenditure on research activities is recognised as an expense in the period in which it is incurred.

Acquired intangible assets are measured initially at purchase cost and are amortised on a straight-line basis over their 
estimated useful lives.

Intangible assets acquired in a business combination and recognised separately from goodwill are initially recognised at 
their fair value at the acquisition date (which is regarded as their cost). Subsequent to initial recognition, intangible assets 
acquired in a business combination are reported at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment 
losses, on the same basis as intangible assets that are acquired separately.

Impairment of tangible and intangible assets other than goodwill

At  the  end  of  each  reporting  period,  the  Group  reviews  the  carrying  amounts  of  its  tangible  and  intangible  assets  to 
determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, 
the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). When it is 
not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the Group estimates the recoverable amount of the 
cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. When a reasonable and consistent basis of allocation can be identifi ed, 
corporate assets are also allocated to individual cash-generating units, or otherwise they are allocated to the smallest 
group of cash-generating units for which a reasonable and consistent allocation basis can be identifi ed.

Intangible assets with indefi nite useful lives and intangible assets not yet available for use are tested for impairment at 
least annually, and whenever there is an indication that the asset may be impaired.

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated 
future  cash  fl ows  are  discounted  to  their  present  value  using  a  pre-tax  discount  rate  that  refl ects  current  market 
assessments of the time value of money and the risks specifi c to the asset for which the estimates of future cash fl ows 
have not been adjusted.

If  the  recoverable  amount  of  an  asset  (or  cash-generating  unit)  is  estimated  to  be  less  than  its  carrying  amount,  the 
carrying  amount  of  the  asset  (or  cash-generating  unit)  is  reduced  to  its  recoverable  amount.  An  impairment  loss  is 
recognised immediately in profi t or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the 
impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.

An internally-generated intangible asset arising from development (or from the development phase of an internal project) 
is recognised if, and only if, all of the following have been demonstrated:

Inventory

the technical feasibility of completing the intangible asset so that it will be available for use or sale;
the intention to complete the intangible asset and use or sell it;
the ability to use or sell the intangible asset;

• 
• 
• 
•  how the intangible asset will generate probable future economic benefi ts;
• 

 the availability of adequate technical, fi nancial and other resources to complete the development and to use or sell 
the intangible asset; and
the ability to measure reliably the expenditure attributable to the intangible asset during its development.

• 

The amount initially recognised for internally-generated intangible assets is the sum of the expenditure incurred from the 
date when the intangible asset fi rst meets the recognition criteria listed above. Where no internally-generated intangible 
asset can be recognised, development expenditure is recognised in profi t or loss in the period in which it is incurred.

Subsequent to initial recognition, internally-generated intangible assets are reported at cost less accumulated amortisation 
and accumulated impairment losses, on the same basis as intangible assets that are acquired separately.

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable 
direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and 
condition. Cost is determined on the “fi rst-in–fi rst-out” basis. Net realisable value represents the estimated selling price 
less all estimated costs of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.

Financial instruments

Financial assets and fi nancial liabilities are recognised on the Group’s consolidated statements of fi nancial position when 
the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

72   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   73

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

Trade and other receivables

Trade  receivables  are  measured  at  initial  recognition  at  fair  value,  and  are  subsequently  measured  at  amortised  cost 
using the effective interest rate method. Appropriate allowances for estimated irrecoverable amounts are recognised in 
profi t or loss when there is objective evidence that the asset is impaired. The allowance recognised is measured as the 
difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash fl ows discounted at the 
effective interest rate computed at initial recognition.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and demand deposits and other short-term highly liquid investments 
that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash.

Financial assets and investments

All regular way purchases or sales of fi nancial assets are recognised and derecognised on a trade date basis.

for the year ended 31 December 2019

The amortised cost of a fi nancial asset is the amount at which the fi nancial asset is measured at initial recognition minus 
the principal repayments, plus the cumulative amortisation using the effective interest method of any difference between 
that initial amount and the maturity amount, adjusted for any loss allowance. The gross carrying amount of a fi nancial 
asset is the amortised cost of a fi nancial asset before adjusting for any loss allowance.

Interest  income  is  recognised  using  the  effective  interest  method  for  debt  instruments  measured  subsequently  at 
amortised cost and at FVTOCI. For fi nancial assets other than purchased or originated credit-impaired fi nancial assets, 
interest  income  is  calculated  by  applying  the  effective  interest  rate  to  the  gross  carrying  amount  of  a  fi nancial  asset, 
except for fi nancial assets that have subsequently become credit-impaired. For fi nancial assets that have subsequently 
become credit-impaired, interest income is recognised by applying the effective interest rate to the amortised cost of the 
fi nancial asset. If, in subsequent reporting periods, the credit risk on the credit-impaired fi nancial instrument improves so 
that the fi nancial asset is no longer credit-impaired, interest income is recognised by applying the effective interest rate 
to the gross carrying amount of the fi nancial asset.

For  purchased  or  originated  credit-impaired  fi nancial  assets,  the  Group  recognises  interest  income  by  applying  the 
credit-adjusted effective interest rate to the amortised cost of the fi nancial asset from initial recognition.

Regular way purchases or sales are purchases or sales of fi nancial assets that require delivery of assets within the time 
frame established by regulation or convention in the marketplace.

The calculation does not revert to the gross basis even if the credit risk of the fi nancial asset subsequently improves so 
that the fi nancial asset is no longer credit-impaired.

All recognised fi nancial assets are measured subsequently in their entirety at either amortised cost or fair value, depending 
on the classifi cation of the fi nancial assets.

Classifi cation of fi nancial assets
Debt instruments that meet the following conditions are measured subsequently at amortised cost:

• 

• 

 the  fi nancial  asset  is  held  within  a  business  model  whose  objective  is  to  hold  fi nancial  assets  in  order  to  collect 
contractual cash fl ows; and
 the contractual terms of the fi nancial asset give rise on specifi ed dates to cash fl ows that are solely payments of 
principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding.

Debt instruments that meet the following conditions are measured subsequently at fair value through other comprehensive 
income (FVTOCI):

• 

• 

 the fi nancial asset is held within a business model whose objective is achieved by both collecting contractual cash 
fl ows and selling the fi nancial assets; and
 the contractual terms of the fi nancial asset give rise on specifi ed dates to cash fl ows that are solely payments of 
principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding.

The majority of fi nancial assets are measured subsequently at fair value through profi t or loss (FVTPL).

Amortised cost and effective interest method
The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a debt instrument and of allocating interest 
income over the relevant period.

For fi nancial assets other than purchased or originated credit-impaired fi nancial assets (i.e. assets that are credit-impaired 
on initial recognition), the effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts (including all 
fees and points paid or received that form an integral part of the effective interest rate, transaction costs and other premiums 
or discounts) excluding expected credit losses, through the expected life of the debt instrument, or, where appropriate, a 
shorter period, to the gross carrying amount of the debt instrument on initial recognition. For purchased or originated credit-
impaired fi nancial assets, a credit-adjusted effective interest rate is calculated by discounting the estimated future cash 
fl ows, including expected credit losses, to the amortised cost of the debt instrument on initial recognition.

Debt instruments classifi ed as at FVTOCI
The debt instruments held by the Group are classifi ed as at FVTOCI. The debt instruments are initially measured at fair 
value plus transaction costs.

Subsequently,  changes  in  the  carrying  amount  of  these  corporate  bonds  as  a  result  of  foreign  exchange  gains  and 
losses, impairment gains or losses, and interest income calculated using the effective interest method are recognised 
in profi t or loss. The amounts that are recognised in profi t or loss are the same as the amounts that would have been 
recognised in profi t or loss if these debt instruments had been measured at amortised cost. All other changes in the 
carrying amount of these debt instruments are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated under the 
heading  of  investments  revaluation  reserve.  When  these  debt  instruments  are  derecognised,  the  cumulative  gains  or 
losses previously recognised in other comprehensive income are reclassifi ed to profi t or loss.

Equity instruments designated as at FVTOCI
On initial recognition, the Group may make an irrevocable election (on an instrument by instrument basis) to designate 
investments in equity instruments as at FVTOCI. Designation at FVTOCI is not permitted if the equity investment is held 
for trading or if it is contingent consideration recognised by an acquirer in a business combination.

A fi nancial asset is held for trading if:

• 
• 

• 

it has been acquired principally for the purpose of selling it in the near term; or
 on initial recognition it is part of a portfolio of identifi ed fi nancial instruments that the Group manages together and 
has evidence of a recent actual pattern of short-term profi t-taking; or
 it is a derivative (except for a derivative that is a fi nancial guarantee contract or a designated and effective hedging 
instrument).

Investments in equity instruments at FVTOCI are initially measured at fair value plus transaction costs.

Subsequently, they are measured at fair value with gains and losses arising from changes in fair value recognised in other 
comprehensive income and accumulated in the investments revaluation reserve. The cumulative gain or loss is not be 
reclassifi ed to profi t or loss on disposal of the equity investments, instead, it is transferred to retained earnings.

74   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   75

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

for the year ended 31 December 2019

Financial assets at FVTPL
Financial assets that do not meet the criteria for being measured at amortised cost or FVTOCI are measured at FVTPL.

Financial liabilities
All fi nancial liabilities are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method or at FVTPL.

Financial assets at FVTPL are measured at fair value at the end of each reporting period, with any fair value gains or 
losses recognised in profi t or loss. The net gain or loss recognised in profi t or loss is included in the ‘other gains and 
losses’ line item. Fair value is determined in the manner described in note 36.

Financial liabilities at FVTPL
Financial liabilities are classifi ed as at FVTPL when the fi nancial liability is (i) contingent consideration of an acquirer in a 
business combination, (ii) held for trading, or (iii) it is designated as at FVTPL.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Foreign exchange gains and losses
The carrying amount of fi nancial assets that are denominated in a foreign currency is determined in that foreign currency 
and translated at the spot rate at the end of each reporting period.

Impairment of fi nancial assets
The Group recognises a loss allowance for expected credit losses on trade receivables. The amount of expected credit 
losses is updated at each reporting date to refl ect changes in credit risk since initial recognition of the respective fi nancial 
instrument.

The  Group  recognises  lifetime  ECL  for  trade  receivables.  The  expected  credit  losses  on  these  fi nancial  assets  are 
estimated using a provision matrix based on the Group’s historical credit loss experience, adjusted for factors that are 
specifi c  to  the  debtors,  general  economic  conditions  and  an  assessment  of  both  the  current  as  well  as  the  forecast 
direction of conditions at the reporting date, including time value of money where appropriate.

Lifetime ECL represents the expected credit losses that will result from all possible default events over the expected life 
of a fi nancial instrument. In contrast, 12 month ECL represents the portion of lifetime ECL that is expected to result from 
default events on a fi nancial instrument that are possible within 12 months after the reporting date.

Derecognition of fi nancial assets
The Group derecognises a fi nancial asset only when the contractual rights to the cash fl ows from the asset expire, or 
when it transfers the fi nancial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the asset to another entity. 
If the Group neither transfers nor retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership and continues to control 
the transferred asset, the Group recognises its retained interest in the asset and an associated liability for amounts it 
may have to pay. If the Group retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of a transferred fi nancial asset, 
the Group continues to recognise the fi nancial asset and also recognises a collateralised borrowing for the proceeds 
received.

On derecognition of a fi nancial asset measured at amortised cost, the difference between the asset’s carrying amount 
and the sum of the consideration received and receivable is recognised in profi t or loss. In addition, on derecognition 
of an investment in a debt instrument classifi ed as at FVTOCI, the cumulative gain or loss previously accumulated in 
the  investments  revaluation  reserve  is  reclassifi ed  to  profi t  or  loss.  In  contrast,  on  derecognition  of  an  investment  in 
equity instrument which the Group has elected on initial recognition to measure at FVTOCI, the cumulative gain or loss 
previously accumulated in the investments revaluation reserve is not reclassifi ed to profi t or loss, but is transferred to 
retained earnings.

Financial liabilities and equity instruments

Classifi cation as debt or equity
Debt and equity instruments are classifi ed as either fi nancial liabilities or as equity in accordance with the substance of 
the contractual arrangements and the defi nitions of a fi nancial liability and an equity instrument.

Equity instruments
An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of an entity after deducting all of its 
liabilities. Equity instruments issued by the Group are recognised at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs.

A fi nancial liability is classifi ed as held for trading if:

• 
• 

• 

it has been acquired principally for the purpose of repurchasing it in the near term; or
 on initial recognition it is part of a portfolio of identifi ed fi nancial instruments that the Group manages together and 
has a recent actual pattern of short-term profi t-taking; or
 it is a derivative, except for a derivative that is a fi nancial guarantee contract or a designated and effective hedging 
instrument.

A fi nancial liability other than a fi nancial liability held for trading or contingent consideration of an acquirer in a business 
combination may be designated as at FVTPL upon initial recognition if:

• 

• 

• 

 such designation eliminates or signifi cantly reduces a measurement or recognition inconsistency that would otherwise 
arise; or
 the fi nancial liability forms part of a group of fi nancial assets or fi nancial liabilities or both, which is managed and its 
performance is evaluated on a fair value basis, in accordance with the Group’s documented risk management or 
investment strategy, and information about the grouping is provided internally on that basis; or
 it forms part of a contract containing one or more embedded derivatives, and IFRS 9 permits the entire combined 
contract to be designated as at FVTPL.

Foreign exchange gains and losses
For fi nancial liabilities that are denominated in a foreign currency and are measured at amortised cost at the end of each 
reporting period, the foreign exchange gains and losses are determined based on the amortised cost of the instruments.

Derivative fi nancial instruments

The  Group  enters  into  a  variety  of  derivative  fi nancial  instruments  to  manage  its  exposure  to  interest  rate  and  foreign 
exchange rate risks, including foreign exchange forward contracts, interest rate swaps and cross currency swaps. Further 
details of derivative fi nancial instruments are disclosed in note 36.

Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value at the date the derivative contracts are entered into and are subsequently 
remeasured to their fair value at the end of each reporting period. The resulting gain or loss is recognised in profi t or loss 
immediately.

Bank borrowings

Interest-bearing  bank  loans  and  overdrafts  are  recorded  at  the  proceeds  received,  net  of  direct  issue  costs.  Finance 
charges,  including  premiums  payable  on  settlement  or  redemption  and  direct  issue  costs,  are  accounted  for  on  an 
accrual basis in profi t or loss account using the effective interest method and are added to the carrying amount of the 
instrument to the extent that they are not settled in the period in which they arise.

Trade and other payables

Trade and other payables and other fi nancial liabilities are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective 
interest method.

76   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   77

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

for the year ended 31 December 2019

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a fi nancial liability and of allocating interest 
expense  over  the  relevant  period.  The  effective  interest  rate  is  the  rate  that  exactly  discounts  estimated  future  cash 
payments (including all fees and points paid or received that form an integral part of the effective interest rate, transaction 
costs and other premiums or discounts) through the expected life of the fi nancial liability, or (where appropriate) a shorter 
period, to the net carrying amount on initial recognition.

Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation as a result of a past event, and it is probable that the 
Group will be required to settle that obligation. Provisions are measured at the directors’ best estimate of the expenditure 
required to settle the obligation at the consolidated statements of fi nancial position date, and are discounted to present 
value where the effect is material.

Provisions for the expected cost of warranty obligations under local sale of goods legislation are recognised at the date 
of sale of the relevant products, at the directors’ best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the Group’s obligation.

4 

Critical Accounting Judgments and Key Sources of Estimation Uncertainty

Critical judgments in applying the Group’s accounting policies

In the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies, which are described in note 3, management has made the 
following judgments that have the most signifi cant effect on the amounts recognised in the fi nancial statements (apart 
from those involving estimations, which are dealt with below):

Key sources of estimation uncertainty

The key assumptions concerning the future, and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the consolidated statements 
of fi nancial position date, that have a signifi cant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets 
and liabilities within the next fi nancial year, are discussed below.

Impairment of intangible assets and goodwill
Determining whether goodwill is impaired requires an estimation of the value in use of the cash generating units (CGU) 
to which goodwill has been allocated. The value in use calculation requires the entity to estimate the future cash fl ows of 
the CGU and a suitable discount rate in order to calculate present value. The carrying amount of intangible assets and 
goodwill at the consolidated statement of fi nancial position date was $23.7 million (2018: $22.6 million), see note 23 and 
note 24.

Judgments with respect to deferred tax assets
For the purposes of measuring deferred tax assets arising from loss carry-forwards in different territories, management’s 
estimation that it will be able to utilise them in the foreseeable future, see note 15.

Judgments with respect to construction contracts
The Company accounts for its revenue in accordance with IFRS 15 revenue from contracts with customers, which requires 
estimates to be made for contract costs and revenues. Revenue is recognised using the percentage of completion method 
based on the ratio of contract costs incurred to total estimated contract costs or engineering completion percentage. 
Estimating total direct labour costs and the engineering status is subjective and requires the use of management’s best 
judgments based on the information available at that time. Total revenues and expenses recognised for the year ended 
31 December 2019 amounted to $14,682 thousand and $13,135 thousand, respectively.

5 

Revenues

The Group derives its revenue from contracts with customers for the transfer of goods at a point in time and services and 
Construction Contracts over time in the following major product lines.

An analysis of the Group’s revenues is as follows:

Year ended 31 December

Sales of goods

Services

Construction Contracts

2019
$’000s

  74,387

  34,327

  14,682

123,396

2018
$’000s

  77,794

  28,181

  13,586

119,561

6 

Business and Geographical Segments

Business segments

Information reported to the chief operating decision maker (CEO of the Company) for the purposes of resource allocation 
and  assessment  of  segment  performance  focuses  on  the  types  of  goods  or  services  delivered  or  provided,  and  in 
respect of two major operating segments – Networking and Cyber Division and Bio-Medical Division. These divisions are 
the basis on which the Group reports its primary segment information. The principal products and services of each of 
these divisions are as follows: Networking and Cyber Division mostly includes the research and development, production 
and marketing of data communication products, such as Network Function Virtualisation (“NFV”) in the fi eld of local and 
wide area networks and premises management systems. Sales for this segment are global. The Bio-Medical Division 
is  engaged  in  the  research  and  development,  production,  marketing  and  distribution  of  medical  products,  primarily 
laboratory diagnostic equipment and sterilisation equipment. Sales for this segment are primarily in Europe.

The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as the Group’s accounting policies. Adjusted operating 
profi t is the measure reported to the Group Chief executive for the purpose of assessment of the segment performance.

A.  Segment revenues and segment results

Year ended 31 December 2019

Revenues

Adjusted operating profi t (*)

Reconciliation  –  Other  operating 
expenses

Operating profi t

Net fi nance income

Profi t before tax

Networking and Cyber
$’000s

Bio-Medical
$’000s

Unallocated
$’000s

58,960

  5,144

64,436

     132

–

–

Total
$’000s

123,396

5,276

(794)

4,482

296

4,778

78   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   79

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

for the year ended 31 December 2019

Year ended 31 December 2018

C.  Revenue from major products and services

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Revenues

Adjusted operating profi t (loss)(*)

Reconciliation  -  Other  operating 
expenses

Operating profi t 

Net fi nance expense

Profi t before tax 

Networking and Cyber
$’000s

Bio-Medical
$’000s

Unallocated
$’000s

57,451

3,579

62,104

(1,114)

6

168

Total
$’000s

119,561

2,633

(1,143)

1,490

(282)

1,208

(*) Excluding amortisation of intangible assets see note 24, including other operating income see note 12

Revenue reported above represents revenue generated from external customers. There were immaterial inter-segment 
sales in the year. 

B.  Segment assets, liabilities and other information

As at 31 December 2019

Assets

Liabilities

Depreciation and amortisation (*)

Additions to non-current assets

As at 31 December 2018

Assets

Liabilities

Depreciation and amortisation (*)

Additions to non-current assets

(*) See also note 30

Networking and Cyber
$’000s

Bio-Medical
$’000s

Unallocated
$’000s

88,799

35,540

  2,563

  1,579

83,132

33,874

  2,706

  1,421

1,899

–

     86

–

Networking and Cyber
$’000s

Bio-Medical
$’000s

Unallocated
$’000s

56,846

19,808

  1,317

  1,160

70,034

26,068

  2,074

  2,603

2,004

–

–

–

Total
$’000s

173,830

69,414

  5,355

  3,000

Total
$’000s

128,884

  45,876

    3,391

    3,763

The following is an analysis of the Group’s revenue from operations from its major products and services.

Year ended 31 December

Networking and cyber products

Software services

Distribution of medical products

Diagnostic products

Eco-Med products 

2019
$’000s

  21,507

  37,452

  52,378

    5,535

    6,524

123,396

2018
$’000s

  24,405

  33,052

  50,129

    6,589

    5,386

119,561

D. Revenue from major product lines

Year ended 31 December 2019

Revenues

Sales of goods

Services

Construction Contracts

Year ended 31 December 2018

Revenues

Sales of goods

Services

Construction Contracts

Networking and Cyber
$’000s

Bio-Medical
$’000s

Unallocated
$’000s

18,167

29,045

11,748

58,960

56,220

  5,282

  2,934

64,436

–

– 

–

–

Networking and Cyber
$’000s

Bio-Medical
$’000s

Unallocated
$’000s

20,898

23,770

12,783

57,451

56,896

  4,405

     803

62,104

–

6

–

6

Total
$’000s

    74,387

    34,327

   14,682

123,396

Total
$’000s

  77,794

  28,181

  13,586

119,561

80   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   81

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

E.  Geographical segments

 The Group operates in three principal geographical areas – United States of America (USA), Israel and Europe. 
The Group’s revenue from external customers and information about its segment assets by geographical location 
are presented by the location of operations and are detailed below:

$’000s

Area A

Area B

Area C

Total

Revenue from external customers

Non-current assets

2019

59,595

53,035

10,766

2018

58,748

49,043

11,770

123,396

119,561

2019

29,802

24,511

  4,976

59,289

2018

21,714

16,035

  5,162

42,911

for the year ended 31 December 2019

9 

General and administrative expenses

Year ended 31 December

Salaries and related benefi ts

Professional services(*)

Overhead and depreciation

Other expenses

(*) Including

Auditors’ remuneration for audit services 

2019
$’000s

4,722

3,340

1,289

2,402

11,753

295

2018
$’000s

4,515

3,416

1,294

2,001

11,226

 288

7 

Cost of revenues

Year ended 31 December

Amounts payable to Deloitte by the Company and its subsidiaries’ undertakings in respect of non-audit services in 2019 
were $20,000 (2018: $3,000). In addition, payables in respect of non-audit services to others than the Company’s auditors, 
for tax and internal audit services in 2019, were $8,000 and $23,000, respectively (2018: $8,000 and $8,000, respectively).

Direct costs- Components and subcontractors

Changes in inventory

Salaries and related benefi ts

Overhead and depreciation

Other expenses

2019
$’000s

69,852

(703)

16,565

  3,055

  1,482

90,251

8 

Sales and marketing expenses

Year ended 31 December

Salaries and related benefi ts

Commissions

Outside services

Advertising and sales promotion

Overhead and depreciation

Travelling and other expenses

2019
$’000s

9,484

1,084

586

1,096

2,036

2,021

16,307

2018
$’000s

65,057

(713)

16,261

  2,896

  1,596

85,097

2018
$’000s

9,078

1,025

478

949

2,205

1,900

15,635

10  Research and development expenses

Salaries and related benefi ts

Components and subcontractors

Overhead and depreciation

Other expenses

Government grants

11  Staff  costs

Year ended 31 December

2019
$’000s

2,916

3,089

1,082

533

(848)

6,772

2018
$’000s

3,693

2,535

                    1,067

708

    (887)

7,116

The average monthly number of employees in 2019 (including executive directors) was 1,138 (2018: 1,054).

Year ended 31 December

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Other pension costs

2019
$’000s

28,227

4,153

1,307

33,687

2018
$’000s

27,575

4,742

1,230

33,547

82   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   83

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

for the year ended 31 December 2019

12  Other operating expenses (income)

14  Finance expense

Year ended 31 December

Year ended 31 December

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Gain on reduce of holdings in associated company(1)

Gain on sale of investment(2)

Amortisation of intangible assets

Capital gain on sale of tangible and intangible assets (3)

Revaluation of investment

2019
$’000s

(3,161)

(3,380)

372

–

–

(6,169)

2018
$’000s

–

–

744

(1,582)

(165)

(1,003)

(1)   On 4 April 2019, the Group signed an agreement for an investment of up to $30m to provide additional funds for the commercialisation of 
NATlab. The majority of this investment – up to $25m – is to be provided by leading medical investors from the US and Puma Brandenburg 
Investments Ltd. The investment is being made in two tranches into a new company that owns 100% of Ador. An initial $14.5m was funded in 
April 2019 and a further $15.5m is expected by the end of 2020, subject to certain milestones being achieved. Following the initial investment, 
the new company has a valuation of $45m and BATM has an ownership interest of 38.2%.

(2)   On 31 July 2019 the group and its consortium partners having signed an agreement with Cellcom Israel Ltd to sell all the rights of the group 

in IBC Holdings. BATM has received NIS12m ($3.4m) for its rights in IBC.

(3)  In 2018 a capital gain from selling of intangible assets to a joint venture is included.

13  Finance income

Year ended 31 December

Interest on bank deposits

Gain on derivative fi nancial instruments

Gain on marketable securities

Foreign exchange differences, net

Other interest income

2019
$’000s

   200

–

   113

   564

   735

1,612

2018
$’000s

131

444

–

–

  78

653

Loss on derivative fi nancial instruments

Foreign exchange differences, net

Interest on loans and bank fees

Loss on marketable securities

Interest on lease liabilities

Other

15 

Income (expense) tax benefi ts

Current tax

Tax on previous years

Deferred tax (note 26)

Taxation under various laws:

Israel

2019
$’000s

   (245)

–

   (802)

–

   (269)

–

(1,316)

2018
$’000s

–

(315)

(537)

  (47)

–

  (36)

(935)

Year ended 31 December

2019
$’000s

(652)

  (19)

196

(475)

2018
$’000s

(519)

    (9)

  (95)

(623)

The Company is an “industrial company” as defi ned in the Israeli Law for the Encouragement of Industry (Taxes) 1969.

a.  The  corporate income tax rate for the years 2018 and 2019 is  23% 
b.  Encouragement of Capital Investments Law:

a.  The corporate tax rate for each company with a Preferred Enterprise for the years 2018 and 2019 is 7.5%.
b. 

 Including additional tax tracks for Preferred Technological Enterprise (tax rate of 7.5% in Area “A” and tax rate of 
12% in Area “Other”) and for special Preferred Technological Enterprise (tax rate of 6%).
 Determining relieves of the threshold conditions to enter the track of “Special Preferred Enterprise” relevant for 
huge companies entitle (tax rates of 5% in Area “A” or 8% in the Area “Other”).

c. 

84   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   85

The Company has a Preferred Enterprise status in area A and its Israeli subsidiaries are being assessed according to the 
corporate income tax rate.

During  2013,  approval  was  received  from  the  tax  authorities  in  Israel  regarding  the  merger  for  tax  purposes  of  the 
subsidiary  Vigilant  with  the  Company.  Following  the  merger,  $21  million  losses  were  attributed  to  the  Company  and 
increased the tax loss carry-forwards. As part of the merger approval, there were limitations for utilisation of these losses 
in the future. Legally Vigilant was merged into the Company during 2014 and no longer exists.

 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

for the year ended 31 December 2019

The Company and its Israeli subsidiaries have tax loss carry-forwards of $96.9 million of which $94.1 million the Group 
did not create deferred tax assets in respect of such losses. According to the Israeli law there is no expiry date to use 
such losses.

16  Earnings per share

The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per share is based on the following data:

The Company tax assessments for the years up to and including the 2014 tax year are considered as fi nal. 

The United States of America

Telco Systems incurred losses for tax purposes. In addition, in accordance with U.S. tax law, Telco Systems made an 
election to amortise a substantial part of the excess cost paid by the Company in its acquisition over a period of 15 years. 
This has resulted in tax loss carry-forwards which may expire before having been utilised. Accordingly, the future use of 
part of this benefi t is uncertain. Other US subsidiaries are assessed for tax purposes on a consolidated basis with Telco 
Systems. Deferred tax assets of $1.5 million have been recognised in respect of such losses. The amount of carry-forward 
losses is $278.5 million. According to US law, losses created until 2017 can be carried forward for 20 years. Accordingly, 
the fi rst portion of the tax losses in the US subsidiary will expire in 2021.

On 22 December 2017, the President of the United States of America signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the 
“Tax Act”). The Tax Act contains signifi cant changes to federal corporate taxes, including a permanent reduction of the 
corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% effective 1 January 2018. The reduction in the federal corporate tax rate required a 
one-time revaluation of certain tax-related assets and liabilities. As a result of the revaluation of its deferred tax assets and 
liabilities at 31 December 2017, the Company recorded a one-time tax expense of approximately $1.0 million. In addition, 
based on the Act only 80 percent of taxable income created from 1 January 2018 may be used to offset future income. 

Other jurisdictions

Taxation for other jurisdictions is calculated at the rates prevailing in the respective jurisdictions. The Group has tax loss 
carry-forwards of $27.4 million in European subsidiaries of which $20.0 million the Group did not recognise deferred tax 
assets in respect of such losses. $5.8 million tax loss carry-forwards out of the $20 million above according to the tax 
law in the territory these losses related to will be expired during the years 2020-2025. The corporate income tax rate in 
Moldova is 12% and in Italy is 24%.

The income tax (benefi t)/expense for the year can be reconciled to the profi t per the consolidated statement of profi t or 
loss as follows:

Year ended 31 December

2019

2018

Earnings for the purposes of basic and diluted earnings per share ($’000s) 
attributable to Owners of the Company

3,917

358

Number of shares

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of basic 
earnings per share

421,141,507

403,353,149

Effect of dilutive potential ordinary shares:

Share options

3,955,104

2,896,875

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of diluted 
earnings per share

425,096,611

406,250,024

The number of Share Options that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future, but were not included in 
the calculation of diluted earnings per share because they are antidilutive for the year is 450,000 (2018: 82,304).

17  Financial assets

Interest-bearing deposits

Financial assets at FVTPL

Year ended 31 December

2019
$’000s

2,964

1,290

4,254

2018
$’000s

1,580

1,997

3,577

The average interest rate of deposits is 1.99% and 3.11% in 2019 and 2018 respectively.

Year ended 31 December

18  Trade and other receivables 

Profi t before tax:

Tax expense at the Israeli corporate income tax rate of 23% 

Reduced income tax rate

Tax losses which no deferred tax assets have been recognised

Tax losses utilised in current period which no deferred tax assets have been 
recognised in prior periods

Initial recognition of deferred tax assets

Tax on previous years

Other differences

Tax expenses for the year

86   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

2019
$’000s

4,778

1,099

   152

     40

   (869)

   (196)

     19

   230

   475

2018
$’000s

1,208

   278

    (191)

   616

–

   (102)

       9

     13

   623

Trade and other receivables

Trade receivable account

Participation in research and development: Government of Israel

VAT authorities

Tax authorities

Construction contracts*

Prepaid expenses

Other debtors

31 December

2019
$’000s

29,218

1,094

845

336

4,909

4,892

1,490

42,784

2018
$’000s

21,871

    1,177

   637

582

5,486

3,827

  1,430

35,010

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   87

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

for the year ended 31 December 2019

31 December

20  Property, plant and equipment ($’000s) 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

4,909

5,486

Effect of translation adjustment

Construction contracts

Composition:

Cumulative costs incurred due to works construction contracts

In addition – Recognised profi ts

2019
$’000s

11,617

  3,992

2018
$’000s

14,051

  3,462

Less accounts submitted to project customers

  (10,700)

  (12,027)

The average credit period taken on sales of goods is 66 days (2018: 76 days). No interest is charged on the receivables. 
An  allowance  has  been  made  at  31  December  2019  for  estimated  irrecoverable  amounts  from  the  sale  of  goods  of 
$2,396 thousand, (2018: $2,154 thousand) including general allowance according to IFRS 9. This allowance has been 
determined by reference to past default experience. The directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other 
receivables approximates their fair value.

As  of  31  December  2019,  trade  receivable  account  includes  amounts  of  $7.3  million,  which  maturity  date  has  expired 
(including a receivable in the amount of $1.6 million that is overdue for more than a year), but the Group, based on past 
experience and on the credit quality of the debtors, and since most of the debts have been collected until the date of the 
annual report release, has not made an allowance for doubtful debts since the Company expects that those debts are to 
be collectible.

Credit risk

The Group’s principal fi nancial assets are bank balances and cash, trade and other receivables and investments. The 
Group’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade receivables. The amounts presented in the consolidated statements 
of fi nancial position are net of allowances for doubtful receivables. An allowance for impairment is made where there 
is an identifi ed loss event, which, based on previous experience, is evidence of a reduction in the recoverability of the 
cash  fl ows.  The  Group  has  no  signifi cant  concentration  of  credit  risk,  with  exposure  spread  over  a  large  number  of 
counterparties and customers.

Land and 
buildings(*)

Plant and 
equipment

Motor 
vehicles

Furniture 
and fi ttings

Leasehold 
improvements

Total

Cost

At 1 January 2018

8,925

15,766

1,936

4,204

2,591

Additions

Disposals 

–

(236)

(169)

1,421

(603)

    (241)

238

(211)

(29)

103

(9)

(65)

58

(122)

(40)

At 31 December 2018

8,520

16,343

1,934

4,233

2,487

Additions

Disposals

Effect of translation adjustment

Acquisition of subsidiaries

At 31 December 2019

Accumulated depreciation

10

(20)

27

1,198

9,735

860

(268)

53

100

82

81

(102)

(247)

6

62

14

100

23

–

8

19

17,088

1,982

4,181

2,537

At 1 January 2018

1,778

11,171

Depreciation  expense

292

      1,008

881

251

3,841

163

Disposals

     (59)

(474)

   (161)

         (1)

Effect of translation adjustment

(44)

       (174)

     (14)

(60)

At 31 December 2018

Depreciation  expense

Disposals

Effect of translation adjustment

Acquisition of subsidiaries

1,967

354

(1)

19

53

11,531

744

(108)

112

73

957

344

(66)

9

41

3,943

188

(218)

38

56

1,031

150

(122)

(16)

1,043

231

–

10

–

33,422

1,820

(1,181)

(544)

33,517

1,056

(637)

108

1,479

35,523

18,702

1,864

   (817)

  (308)

19,441

1,861

(393)

188

223

19 

Inventories

Raw materials

Work-in-progress

Finished goods

31 December

At 31 December 2019

2,392

12,352

1,285

4,007

1,284

21,320

2019
$’000s

  4,544

  2,917

15,211

22,672

2018
$’000s

  5,435

  2,612

14,813

22,860

Carrying amount

At 31 December 2019

At 31 December 2018

  (*)  see note 21

7,343

6,553

4,736

4,812

697

   977

174

290

1,253

1,444

14,203

14,076

During 2019, $0.3 million of slow moving inventory was impaired, and expensed to the Profi t and Loss account (2018:

$0.2 million).

88   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   89

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

for the year ended 31 December 2019

21 

Investment property 

22  Leases (Group as a lessee) 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

At 1 January

Addition to investment property

Depreciation  expense

Exchange rate differences

At 31 December

2019
$’000s

2,004

    –

      (86)

(19)

1,899

2018
$’000s

1,951

   177

     (88)

     (36)

2,004

Right-of-use assets   

Cost

At 1 January 2019

Additions

Disposals

Buildings

Motor vehicles

Total

   10,778

1,004

   94

               187

            –

(71)

    11,782

       281

(71)

380

Effect of translation adjustment

         337

                    43

– The useful lives used; between 27-33 years.

At 31 December 2019

   11,209

               1,163

12,372

Amounts recognised in the consolidated statements of profi t or loss

Rental income from investment property

Operating expenses related to income from investment property

Operating expenses related to investment property which produced no income

31 December

2019
$’000s

206

(201)

  (11)

2018
$’000s

200

(197)

    (4)

Additional Information

Fair value disclosures for investment properties measured using the cost model
 Details of the Group’s freehold land and buildings and information about the fair value hierarchy as at 31 December 2019 
are as follows:

31 December 2019

31 December 2018

At amortised cost
$’000s

Fair value level 3
$’000s

At amortised cost
$’000s

Fair value level 3
$’000s

USA

Italy

1,156

   743

1,547

1,227

1,214

   790

1,482

1,251

The  fair  value  was  in  Italy  and  in  USA  determined  based  on  the  market  comparable  approach  that  refl ects  recent 
transaction prices for similar properties, where the market rentals of all lettable units of the properties are assessed by 
reference to the rentals achieved in the lettable units as well as other lettings of similar properties in the neighbourhood. 
The capitalisation rate adopted is made by reference to the yield rates observed by the valuers for similar properties in the 
locality and adjusted based on the valuers’ knowledge of the factors specifi c to the respective properties.

Average price market, taking into account the differences in location, and individual factors, such as frontage and size, 
between the comparables and the property, at an average price of $1,178 per square metre for the property in Italy and 
an average price of $125 per square foot for the property in USA.

Accumulated depreciation

At 1 January 2019

  Charge for the year

Disposals

Effect of translation adjustment

At 31 December 2019

Carrying amount

At 31 December 2019

Buildings

Motor vehicles

Total

             –

 –

1,923

               537

              –

              7

(43)

                      3

       1,930

                  497

–

    2,460

(43)

          10

      2,427

       9,279

                  666

     9,945

The Group leases several assets including buildings and motor vehicles. The average lease term of buildings and motor 
vehicles from the implementation date, 1 January 2019, is 7.7 and 2.5 years, accordingly. 

The maturity analysis of lease liabilities is presented in note 27. 

Amounts recognised in profi t and loss   

Depreciation expense on right-of-use assets 

Interest expense on lease liabilities 

Expense relating to short-term leases 

At 31 December 2019, the Group is committed to $0.2 million for short-term leases. 

The total cash outfl ow for leases amount to $2,361 thousand. 

2019

$’000s

2,460

                 269

     279

90   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   91

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

23  Goodwill

 The  Group  tests  annually  goodwill  for  impairment  or  more  frequently  if  there  are  indications  that  goodwill  might  be 
impaired. The Group has two reportable business segments and goodwill is associated with CGUs within the Bio-Medical 
segment  or  CGUs  within  the  Networking  and  Cyber  segment.  The  goodwill  regarding  Bio-Medical  at  the  amount  of 
$9,819 thousand (2018: $9,791 thousand) has been divided into 5 CGUs: Eco-Med, Diagnostic, Distribution, Distributor 
and  provider  of  genetics  tests  and  Analytical  instruments  distribution.  The  goodwill  regarding  Networking  and  Cyber 
segment at the amount of $6,985 thousand (2018: $6,552 thousand) has been divided into 2 CGUs: Telecommunications 
and Software services. 

for the year ended 31 December 2019

Sensitivity of the recoverable amount to changes in the key assumptions

The recoverable amount of the Eco-Med activity is higher than the carrying amount in the amount of $3.6 million. Reduction 
of 6% growth rate taken into account in calculating the value in use of the activity will result in a decrease of $3.4 million 
recoverable amount of the activity and no goodwill impairment will be recorded. Decrease in growth rate as stated will 
lead to changes in other assumptions used in the calculation of value in use. Increase of 4% in pre-tax discount rate taken 
into account in calculating the value in use of the activity will result in a decrease of $3.3 million recoverable amount of the 
activity and no goodwill impairment will be recorded.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The goodwill is allocated to the following CGUs:

Eco-Med: $2,550 thousand (2018: $2,550 thousand) 

Diagnostic: $1,577 thousand (2018: $1,598 thousand) 

Distribution: $1,146 thousand (2018: $1,173 thousand)

Distributor and provider of genetics tests: $966 thousand (2018: $890 thousand) 

Analytical instruments distribution: $3,580 thousand (2018: $3,580 thousand) 

Telecommunications: $1,984 thousand (2018: $1,984 thousand)

Software services: $5,001 thousand (2018: $4,568 thousand)

The recoverable amounts of the CGUs are determined from value in use calculations except of the Diagnostic CGU. The 
key  assumptions  for  the  value  in  use  calculations  are  those  regarding  the  discount  rates,  growth  rates  and  expected 
changes to selling prices and direct costs during the period. Pre-tax discount rates of between 8.8% - 15.1% have been 
used. Changes in selling prices and direct costs are based on recent history and expectations of future changes in the 
market.

The Group prepares cash fl ow forecasts derived from the most recent fi nancial budget approved by management and 
extrapolates indefi nite cash fl ows based on estimated growth rates. For the purposes of this calculation management have 
used revenue growth rates of 36% for year 1 and 10% for years 2-5, and then 1% thereafter, for the Telecommunications 
CGU and 7% for year 1 and 5% for years 2-5, and then 1% thereafter , for the Software services CGU and 34% for year 
1 and 10% for years 2-5, and then 1% thereafter for the Eco-Med CGU and 13% for year 1 and 10% for years 2-5, and 
then 1% thereafter for the Distribution CGU and 42% for year 1 and 15% for years 2-5, and then 1% thereafter for the 
Distributor and provider of genetics tests CGU and 6% for year 1 and 9% for years 2-5, and then 1% thereafter for the 
Analytical instruments distribution CGU.

The average fi xed expenses have been assumed to grow at 13%, 5%, 5%, 4%, 4% for years 1-5 respectively, and then 2% 
thereafter in the Telecommunications and Software services CGU and (5)%, 5%, 5%, 5%, 5% for years 1-5 respectively, 
and then have been assumed to remain constant thereafter for Eco-Med, Distribution, Distributor and provider of genetics 
tests and Analytical instruments distribution CGUs. The average variable expenses (directly linked to sales) have been 
assumed to grow at 13%, 4%, 6%, 6%, 6% for years 1-5 respectively, and then 1% thereafter for the Telecommunications 
and Software services CGUs, and 10%, 8%, 10%, 10%, 10% for years 1-5 respectively, and then 1% thereafter for the 
Eco-Med, Distribution, Distributor and provider of genetics tests and Analytical instruments distribution CGUs. The rates 
used above refl ect historical rates achieved and expected levels for 2020 but then are adjusted for subsequent years.

The recoverable amount of the diagnostics unit is determined based on the conditional agreement and according to it no 
impairment was required (see also note 12(1)). 

Balance at 1 January

Additions in the year (*)

Disposal in the year

Foreign exchange difference

Balance at 31 December

(*)  see note 31.

24  Other intangible assets

Cost

At 1 January 2018

Classifi cation from other receivables in 2017

Additions (*)

Effect of translation adjustments

At 31 December 2018

Additions (*)

Disposals 

Effect of translation adjustments

At 31 December 2019

2019
$’000s

16,343

      58

       (10)

     413

16,804

2018
$’000s

16,817

_

_

     (474)

16,343

Customer Relationships 
and Backlog
$’000s

Technology
$’000s

Other
$’000s

Total
$’000s

16,502

–

–

(491)

16,011

522

(263)

150

3,056

34,252

14,694

    524

984

–

–

      (285)

     (117)

15,917

1,083

–

180

2,939

–

–

(245)

524

984

(893)

34,867

1,605

(263)

85

16,420

17,180

2,694

36,294

92   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   93

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

9,714

2,313

28,125

The  following  are  deferred  tax  assets  recognised  by  the  Group  and  movements  thereon  during  the  current  and  prior 
reporting period (see also note 15).

26  Deferred tax

Deferred tax assets

for the year ended 31 December 2019

for the year ended 31 December 2019

24 Other intangible assets (continued)

Accumulated amortisation

At 1 January 2018

Effect of translation adjustments

Amortisation expense

At 31 December 2018

Effect of translation adjustments

Amortisation expense

Disposals

At 31 December 2019

Carrying amount 

At 31 December 2019

At 31 December 2018

16,098

(496)

177

(123)

890

15,779

10,481

52

119

(132)

250

571

–

(60)

  76

2,329

(200)

104

–

 (679)

1,143

28,589

102

794

(132)

15,818

11,302

2,233

29,353

602

232

5,878

5,436

461

610

6,941

6,278

(*) Includes capitalised development costs (NFV and diagnostics) according to IAS 38.
Other intangible assets are amortised on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives.

Amortisation by categories:

Customer Relationships and Backlog: mainly 7 to 10 years 
Technology: 3 to 11 years
Other: mainly 10 years

25  Subsidiaries

A list of the signifi cant direct and indirect investments in subsidiaries, including the country of incorporation, and percent 
of ownership interest as at 31 December 2019 is presented below.

Subsidiary

Principal 
activity

Country of 
incorporation

Ownership 
interest

Entity A

Entity B

Entity C

Entity D

Entity E

Entity F

Entity G

Entity H

Entity I

Entity J

Telecommunication

United States of America

100%

Distribution

Software

Sterilisation

Distribution

Diagnostics

Diagnostics

Cyber

Distribution

Distribution

Romania

Israel

Hungary

Moldova

Italy

Italy

Israel

Hungary

Israel

100%

100%

75%

51%

100%

100%

67%

100%

100%

Date of 
acquisition

April 2000

June 2007

October 2007

February 2008

July 2008

February 2009

November 2009

April 2012

January 2016

January 2017

Retirement benefi t 
obligations
$’000s

Losses carried 
forward
$’000s

Other(*)
$’000s

At 1 January 2018

Credit (charge) to income

27

   8

Effect of translation adjustments

              (3)

At 31 December 2018

Credit (charge) to income

Effect of translation adjustments

At 31 December 2019

32

3

1

36

(*) Including goodwill and other temporary differences

3,299

   (621)

(87)

2,591

562

15

3,168

(417)

451

(2)

   32

1

(3)

30

Total
$’000s

2,909

(162)

(92)

2,655

566

13

3,234

The Company incurred current tax losses in certain jurisdictions, to which deferred tax assets relate, to the extent that 
it is expected that future taxable profi t will be available and can be utilised against them. The deferred tax assets are 
mainly attributed to profi table companies or to companies that have current losses but a history of profi table operations. 
The deferred tax assets were also analysed based on forecasted operations and existing agreements and backlog. The 
Company expects that taxable profi ts will be available, as a result of an increasing demand, new products and expansion 
to new markets.

Deferred tax liabilities

At 1 January 2018

Credit to income

Effect of translation adjustments

At 31 December 2018

Credit to income

Effect of translation adjustments

At 31 December 2019

Losses carried 
forward
$’000s

Intangible 
assets 
$’000s

Tangible assets 
and other
$’000s

Total
$’000s

–

(346)

–

(346)

364

(18)

–

276

(133)

(12)

131

(40)

  7

98

  60

412

(29)

443

  46

  39

528

336

  (67)

  (41)

228

370

  28

626

The  following  are  unrecognised  taxable  temporary  differences  associated  with  investments  and  interests:  Taxable 
temporary differences in relation to investments in subsidiaries for which deferred tax liabilities have not been recognised 
are attributable to: 31 December 2019 $19,258 thousand (31 December 2018: $16,484 thousand).

94   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   95

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

for the year ended 31 December 2019

27  Financial liabilities and other

Trade and other payables

Trade creditors

Salary accruals

VAT and other tax

Liability to the offi ce of the chief scientist

Liability on acquisition of a subsidiary *

Provision

Other creditors and accruals **

31 December

2019
$’000s

20,450

6,774

2,342

335

434

360

13,764

44,459

2018
$’000s

13,720

6,693

1,488

498

633

133

10,248

33,413

Trade  creditors  and  accruals  principally  comprise  amounts  outstanding  for  trade  purchases  and  ongoing  costs.  The 
average  credit period  taken  for  trade purchases  is  64  days (2018:  77  days).  The  directors  consider  that  the  carrying 
amount of trade payables approximates to their fair value.

* See also note 31

** Including a liability to a related party, amounts to $122 thousand that was repaid at the beginning of 2020.

Changes in fi nancial liabilities where the cash fl ows in respect thereof are classifi ed as cash fl ows from fi nancing 
activities

for the year ended 31 December 2019

Open 
balance 
$’000s

Cash fl ow from 
fi nance activities
$’000s

Business 
combination
$’000s

Foreign exchange 
diff erences
$’000s

Close 
balance
$’000s

5,369

486

5,855

Open 
balance 
$’000s

5,324

   910

6,234

517

(353)

164

134

635

769

(105)

(6)

(111)

Cash fl ow from 
fi nance activities
$’000s

Business 
combination
$’000s

Foreign exchange 
diff erences
$’000s

  44

(404)

(360)

–

–

–

  1

(20)

(19)

5,915

762

6,677

Close 
balance
$’000s

5,369

   486

5,855

2019

Short term

Long term

2018

Short term

Long term

Lease liabilities

Analysed as: 

Non-current

Current

Long-term bank credit

Long-term bank credit

Long-term liabilities

Liability to the offi ce of the chief scientist (1)

Liability on acquisition of a subsidiary

Government institutions and other

31 December

2019
$’000s

762

762

2018
$’000s

486

486

Disclosure required by IFRS 16 

31 December

Maturity analysis  

2019
$’000s

3,330

       8

2,877

6,215

2018
$’000s

3,136

     94

2,401

5,631

Year 2020

Year 2021

Year 2022

Year 2023

Year 2024

Onwards*

31/12/2019

$’000s

  8,339

  2,070

10,409

31/12/2019

$’000s

    2,070

    1,519

  1,276

  1,144

     991

  3,409

10,409

(1)  This liability (hybrid instrument containing embedded derivative) is designated at FVTPL according to relevant accounting policy (see also note 

36(k)).

* Include options

All lease obligations are denominated in currency contracts.

96   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   97

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

for the year ended 31 December 2019

Disclosure required by IAS 17 

Amounts payable under operating leases:

Within one year 

In the second to fi fth years inclusive

After fi ve years

Minimum lease payments

31/12/2018

$’000s

2,387

3,998

   132

6,517

Operating lease payments represent rentals payable by the Group for certain of its offi ce properties. Leases are negotiated 
for an average term of 5 years and rentals are fi xed for an average of 5 years.

All lease obligations are denominated in currency contracts. 

28  Share capital

Authorised:

Issued and fully paid:

Ordinary shares of NIS 0.01 each (number of shares)

2019

2018

1,000,000,000

   440,279,074

1,000,000,000

   403,600,820

The Company has one class of ordinary shares which carry no right to fi xed income.

The  Company  has  raised,  in  aggregate,  net  proceeds  of  US$17.1  million  at  a  price  of  42.5  pence  per  New  Ordinary 
Share. Pursuant to the Fundraise, a total of 33,283,254 New Ordinary Shares were issued, representing 7.6 per cent of 
the Company’s enlarged share capital. The Issue Price represents a discount of 5.6 per cent to the mid-market closing 
price of the Company’s Ordinary Shares on the London Stock Exchange on 24 June 2019.

Listing on TASE
On 11 July 2019, the Group’s shares commenced trading on its Secondary Listing on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under 
the symbol “BVC”. The Group maintains its Primary Listing on the Premium Listing Segment of the Offi cial List of the FCA 
and its shares continue to trade on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. Shares are fully transferrable and 
fungible between the two markets. BATM has not issued any new shares in connection with the Secondary Listing.

During the year 3,395,000 options were exercised by three employees and a Director (see also note 33), during 2018 
300,000 options were exercised by two employees.

29 

Investments

Investments and loan carried at FVTPL

During 2013 the Company made an investment of $3.5m into a consortium for the construction of a new nationwide fi ber 
optic infrastructure network in Israel named Israel Broadband Company (2013) Ltd (Hereinafter - “IBC”). During 2015, as 
part of the consortium agreement in IBC, the Company has transferred an additional NIS 25m ($6.5m) upon IBC’s call 
for the additional investment, comprising NIS 6.25m ($1.6m) as an additional equity investment in IBC and NIS 18.75m 
($4.9m) as a shareholder loan.

In 31 December 2014 fi nancial reports, the IBC investment was re-appraised by an external valuator and increased the fair 
value of the available-for-sale fi nancial assets in amount of $0.5m, the increase registered in the other comprehensive  income.

98   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

for the year ended 31 December 2019

As at 31 December 2015, the Company prepared, with the assistance of an independent external valuator, assessing the 
recoverable amount of the investment in IBC. The Company recognised an impairment loss in the fi nancial statement in 
the amount of $9.6m comprising: $4.7m impairment loss of the investment in IBC and $4.9m impairment loss of the loan 
to IBC, which included in the consolidated statement of profi t or loss as fi nancial expenses and decreased the fair value 
of the available-for-sale fi nancial assets in the other comprehensive income in amount of $0.5m.

In 2016 and 2017 the Company examined the value of the investment in IBC and found there was no change in the fair 
value compared with the end of 2015.

As of 1 January 2018, the date of initial application of IFRS 9, the Company’s management decides to designate all its 
investments in IBC, which constitutes an investment in a capital instrument, as a FVTPL. 

In  August  2018,  Cellcom  Israel  Ltd  (“Cellcom”),  a  leading  telecommunications  group,  has  entered  a  memorandum  of 
understanding (the “Agreement”) with the members of IBC, to acquire the consortium’s stake in IBC.

In July 2019 the Company signed an agreement with Cellcom to acquire its rights in IBC in amount of NIS12m (c. $3.4m).

30  Note to the cash fl ow statement

Year ended 31 December

Operating profi t from operations

Adjustments for:

Amortisation of intangible assets

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment and investment property

Capital loss (gain) of property, plant and equipment and other*

Revaluation of investment

Gain on sale of investment

Capital gain on reduce of holdings in associated company

Stock options granted to employees

Increase (decrease) in retirement benefi t obligation

Increase (decrease) in provisions

Decrease in inventory

Decrease (increase) in receivables

Increase (decrease) in payables

Effects of exchange rate changes on the balance sheet

Income taxes paid

Income taxes received

Interest paid

Net cash from operating activities

* Included in other operating expenses

2019
$’000s

4,482

  794

4,561

       31

       – 

(3,380)

(3,161)

 105

121

 298

   1,387

 (7,896)

 11,361

  (264)

(410)

10

(873)

2018
$’000s

1,490

1,143

2,248

(1,585)

  (165) 

  –

  –

  58

   (153)

(47)

   353

   4,824

(3,579)

(990)

(419)

2

(573)

7,166

            2,607

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   99

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

31  Business combinations

During the year, the Group acquired 51% of Remedium for a consideration of $0.3 million. 

32  Guarantees and liens

The Group provided from time to time bank guarantees due to advances from customers. 

for the year ended 31 December 2019

This transaction has been accounted for by the purchase method of accounting.

The Company registered several liens in favour of banks.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

REMEDIUM

Net assets acquired

Property, plant and equipment

Net working capital

Short-term bank credit

Long term liabilities

Non-controlling interest

Gain from bargain purchase

Total consideration

Satisfi ed by:

Cash

Consideration recorded as a contingent liability

Net cash outfl ow arising on acquisition

Cash  consideration

Cash and cash equivalents acquired

2019
US$ in thousands

1,257

607

(134)

(635)

1,095

(543)

(248)

304

304

–

304

316

(12)

304

33  Share-based payments

Equity-settled share option scheme
The Company has a share option scheme for all employees of the Group. Options are usually exercisable at a price equal 
to the average quoted market price of the Company’s shares on the date of grant. The vesting period is between three to 
fi ve years. Unexercised options expire ten years from the date of grant. Options are forfeited when the employee leaves 
the Group. Options to certain management employees are exercisable at a price equal to the average quoted market 
price of the Company’s shares over the 30 days before the date of grant.

Details of the share options outstanding during the year are as follows:

2019

2018

Number 
of share 
options

Weighted average 
exercise price 

Outstanding at beginning of year

   8,906,598

Granted during the year

      450,000

Forfeited during the year

Exercise during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

Exercisable at the end of the year

    (386,203)

(3,395,000)

   5,575,395

   1,125,395

0.2035

0.4487

0.2313

0.1378

0.2613

0.1575

Number 
of share 
options

6,320,303

   4,000,000

(1,113,705)

(300,000)

8,906,598

4,806,595

Weighted average 
exercise price 
(in GBP)

0.1985

0.2695

0.4197

0.1817

0.2035

0.1495

The options outstanding at 31 December 2019 had a weighted average exercise price of 0.2613 GBP, and a weighted 
average remaining contractual life of 7.87 years. 450,000 options were granted on 23 May, 15 August and 28 November. 
The aggregate of the estimated fair values of the options granted on this date according to the Black-Scholes model is 
$76,000. In 2018, options were granted on 6 June. The aggregate of the estimated fair values of the options granted on 
this date is $223,000.

Remedium contributed $1,939 thousand revenue and loss of $217 thousand to the Group’s profi t before tax for the period 
between the date of acquisition and 31 December 2019.

The inputs into the Black-Scholes model are as follows:

At the end of 2018 - The group acquired the major assets of mass alert platform company, the company estimates that 
the total consideration will be up to $614k subject to certain milestones being achieved, of which $208 thousand already 
paid during 2019 and $434 thousand recorded as a conditional liability which will be paid within one to two years subject 
to the progress of milestones being achieved. The Company has completed the purchase price allocation to the assets, 
liabilities and contingent liabilities. 

GREEN LAB
In January 2016 the Group acquired 100% of the issued share capital of Green Lab for a consideration of $3,813 thousand 
payable in cash of $1,913 thousand on acquisition and $1,900 thousand over a three-year period -$633 thousand at the 
beginning of each year starting on January 2017. During the year, the Company paid the last portion of the liability. Green 
Lab is one of the leading distributors of analytical instruments for environmental and industrial sectors. Green Lab has 
exclusive relationships in Hungary with some of the most prominent operators in the industry.

Weighted average share price (GBP)

Weighted average exercise price (GBP)

Expected volatility

Expected life

Risk-free rate

Expected dividends

2019

0.28

0.29

27-36

3-5

0.9%

0%

2018

0.26

0.26

32-90

3-5

1.1%

0%

100   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   101

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

for the year ended 31 December 2019

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The inputs into the Black-Scholes model for the options granted in 2019 are as follows:

Weighted average share price (GBP)

Weighted average exercise price (GBP)

Expected volatility

Expected life

Risk-free rate

Expected dividends

2019

0.45

0.45

27-36

5

   1.3%

0%

 Expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Company’s share price over the previous 
3 years. The expected life used in the model has been adjusted, based on management’s best estimate, for the effects 
of non- transferability, exercise restrictions, and behavioural considerations.

The  Group  recognised  total  expenses  of  $105,000  and  $58,000  related  to  equity-settled  share-based  payment 
transactions in 2019 and 2018, respectively.

34  Retirement benefi t obligation

Defi ned contribution plans
The Group operates defi ned contribution retirement benefi t schemes for all qualifying employees in Israel. The assets 
of  the  schemes  are  held  separately  from  those  of  the  Group  in  funds  under  the  control  of  trustees.  Where  there  are 
employees who leave the schemes prior to vesting fully in the contributions, the contributions payable by the Group are 
reduced by the amount of forfeited contributions.

The  employees  of  the  Group’s  subsidiaries  in  the  United  States  are  members  of  a  state-managed  retirement  benefi t 
scheme operated by the government of the Unites States. The subsidiary contributes a specifi ed percentage of payroll 
costs to the retirement benefi t scheme to fund the benefi ts. The only obligation of the Group with respect to the retirement 
benefi t scheme is to make the specifi ed contributions.

Defi ned benefi t plans
The Group operates defi ned benefi t schemes for qualifying employees of the Company and its subsidiaries in Israel and 
in Italy.

In Israel this scheme provides severance pay provision as required by Israeli law. Under the plans, the employees are 
entitled to post-employment benefi ts equivalent to years of service multiplied by 8.33% of fi nal salary on either attainment 
of a retirement age of 67 (men) and 64 (women) or redundancy. No other post-retirement benefi ts are provided to these 
employees.

In Italy each employee is entitled to have a severance payment as soon as he ends the employment under one of the 
conditions specifi ed below as except those who decide to choose private insurance during the employment. Principal 
conditions to release the liability are: 1. Full retirement age 2. Accumulation of minimal working years 3. Termination of 
employment by the employer 4. Death of employee 5. Occurrence of employee’s disability.

The most recent actuarial valuations of plan assets and the present value of the defi ned benefi t obligation were carried 
out at 26 January 2020 by Elior Weissberg, FILAA on behalf of Elior Weissberg Ltd. a member of the Institute of Actuaries 
regarding the employees in Israel. The present value of the defi ned benefi t, obligation, the related current service cost 
and past service cost were measured using the projected unit credit method. The discount rate was based on high quality 
corporate bonds.

The principal assumptions used for the purposes of the actuarial valuations were as follows:

Discount rate(s)

Expected rate(s) of salary increase

Expected infl ation rate

Employee turnover rate

2019

3.72%

1-4%

1.36%

8%

2018

2.97%

1-4%

1.57%

8%

Amounts recognised in comprehensive income in respect of these defi ned benefi t plans are as follows:

Service cost:

Current service cost

Net interest expenses

Components of defi ned benefi t costs recognised in profi t or loss

Return on plan assets (excluding amounts included in net interest 
expense)

Actuarial gains and losses arising from changes in fi nancial assumptions

Actuarial gains and losses arising from other

Components of defi ned benefi t  costs recognised in other comprehensive

2019
$’000s

216

27

243

2019
$’000s

(30)

64

8

  42

2018
$’000s

173

19

192

2018
$’000s

127

(12)

(64)

51

The amount included in the consolidated statements of fi nancial position arising from the entity’s obligation in respect of 
its defi ned benefi t plans is as follows:

Present value of funded defi ned benefi t obligation

Fair value of plan assets

Net liability

2019
$’000s

2,445

(1,730)

715

2018
$’000s

2,152

(1,576)

576

Total expenses related to the contribution retirement benefi t schemes are: $1,056 thousand in the year 2019 (2018: $979 
thousand).

Re-measurement on the net defi ned benefi t liability:

102   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   103

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

for the year ended 31 December 2019

Movements in the present value of the defi ned benefi t obligation in the current period were as follows:

36  Financial Instruments

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Opening defi ned benefi t obligation

Current service cost

Interest cost

Remeasurement  (gains)/losses  arising  from  changes  in  fi nancial 
assumptions

Benefi ts paid

Exchange rate differences

Closing defi ned benefi t obligation

2019

$’000s

2,152

   216

     69

     91

  (229)

 146

2,445

Movements in the present value of the plan assets in the current period were as follows:

Opening fair value of plan assets

Interest income

Remeasurements gains/(losses) return on plan assets (excluding 
amounts included in net interest expense)

Contributions from the employer

Benefi ts paid

Exchange rate differences

Closing fair value of plan assets

35  Related party transactions

Remuneration of key management personnel

Short- and long-term employee benefi ts

Shared-based payment

2019
$’000s

1,576

42

  49

75

(146)

134

1,730

2019
$’000s

1,630

93

1,723

2018
$’000s

2,652

   173

     58

     (82)

  (388)

   (261)

2,152

2018
$’000s

1,970

39

  (136)

108

(268)

(137)

1,576

2018
$’000s

1,521

46

1,567

Transactions with associated companies
During the year the company provided various services to an associated company in amount of $124 thousands.

(a)  Capital risk management
Management’s policy is to maintain a strong capital base in order to preserve the ability of the Group to continue operating 
so that it may provide a return on capital to its shareholders, benefi ts to other holders of interests in the Group such as 
credit providers and employees of the Group, and sustain future development of the business. Management of the Group 
monitors return on capital, defi ned as the total amount of equity attributable to the shareholders of the Group and also the 
amount of dividends distributed to the ordinary shareholders.

The Group’s management reviews the capital structure on a periodic basis. As a part of this review the management 
considers the cost of capital and the risks associated with each class of capital. Based on management’s recommendations, 
the Group will balance its overall capital structure through the payment of dividends. The Group’s overall strategy remains 
unchanged from 2006.

(b) Signifi cant accounting policies
Details  of  the  signifi cant  accounting  policies  and  methods  adopted,  including  the  criteria  for  recognition,  the  basis  of 
measurement and the basis on which income and expenses are recognised, in respect of each class of fi nancial asset, 
fi nancial liability and equity instrument are disclosed in note 3 to the fi nancial statements.

(c) Categories of fi nancial instruments

Financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents*

Fair value through profi t or loss

Fair value through OCI

Receivables

Financial liabilities

At amortised cost

Fair value through profi t or loss

Financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents*

Fair value through profi t or loss

Fair value through OCI

Receivables

Financial liabilities

At amortised cost

Fair value through profi t or loss

2019
$’000s

40,584

4,758

509

41,532

51,766

8

2018
$’000s

20,811

4,128

     509

             32,049

40,150

   727

104   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   105

* cash and cash equivalents comprises $11.5 million deposits up to three months and $29.1 million cash (2018: $4.0 million deposits up to three 
months and $16.8 million cash).

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

for the year ended 31 December 2019

 The majority of the assets included in fair value through profi t or loss section measurements are level 1 fair value meas-
urements, defi ned as those derived from quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets.

Foreign currency sensitivity
The Group is mainly exposed to Euro, NIS, GBP and MDL.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

All fair value through profi t or loss liabilities measurements are level 3 fair value measurements, derived from net present 
value of royalties liability based on estimated future revenues.

(d) Financial risk management objectives
The Group’s Finance function provides services to the business, coordinates access to domestic and international fi nan-
cial markets, monitors and manages the fi nancial risks relating to the operations of the Group through internal risk reports 
which analyses exposures by degree and magnitude of risks. These risks include market risk (including currency risk, fair 
value interest rate risk and price risk), credit risk, liquidity risk and cash fl ow interest rate risk.

The Group seeks to minimise the effects of these risks by using derivatives only for economic hedging and does not 
apply hedge accounting. The use of fi nancial derivatives is governed by the Group’s policies approved by the board of 
directors, which provide - principles on foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, the use of fi nancial derivatives 
and non- derivative fi nancial instruments, and the investment of excess liquidity. Compliance with policies and exposure 
limits is reviewed by the internal auditors on a continuous basis.

(e) Market risk
The Group’s activities expose it primarily to the fi nancial risks of changes in foreign currency exchange rates (refer to 
section  f)  and  interest  rates  (refer  to  section  g).  The  Group  enters  into  a  variety  of  derivative  fi nancial  instruments  to 
manage its exposure to interest rate and foreign currency risk, including: structured deposits, call options and forward 
foreign exchange contracts to hedge the exchange rate risk arising on the export of telecommunications equipment to 
the United States.

There has been no change to the Group’s exposure to market risks or the manner in which it manages and measures the 
risk.

(f)  Foreign currency risk management
The  Group  undertakes  certain  transactions  denominated  in  foreign  currencies,  hence  exposures  to  exchange  rate 
fl uctuations arise. Exchange rate exposures are managed within approved policy parameters utilising forward foreign 
exchange contracts.

The Company does not implement hedge accounting.

 The  carrying  amount  of  the  Group’s  foreign  currency  denominated  monetary  assets  and  monetary  liabilities  at  the 
reporting date is as follows:

New Israeli Shekel

Euro

MDL

GBP

Other

Liabilities

Assets

2019
$’000s

10,014

18,512

2,784

263

7,725

2018

$’000s

9,860

16,815

2,588

222

2,921

2019
$’000s

23,475

9,213

4,157

10,914

5,164

2018
$’000s

15,860

8,912

4,409

89

5,980

The following table details the Group’s sensitivity to a 10 percent change in US$ against the respective foreign currencies 
in  2019  (2018:  10  percent).  The  10  percent  is  the  rate  used  when  reporting  foreign  currency  risk  internally  to  key 
management personnel and represents management’s assessment of the possible change in foreign exchange rates. 
The sensitivity analysis of the Group’s exposure to foreign currency risk at the reporting date has been determined based 
on the change taking place at the beginning of the fi nancial year and held constant throughout the reporting period. A 
positive number indicates an increase in profi t or loss and other equity where the US$ weakens against the respective 
currency. If the US$ were to strengthen by the same percentage against the respective currency there would be a similar 
but reverse impact on the profi t or loss and equity as presented in the tables below.

Profi t or loss

NIS Impact

Euro Impact

GBP Impact

Equity

NIS Impact

Euro Impact

MDL Impact

GBP Impact

Other currencies Impact

2019
$’000s

620

(164)

1,081

2019
$’000s

726

(766)

137

(16)

(256)

2018
$’000s

196

(175)

5

2018
$’000s

404

(615)

182

(19)

306

This is mainly attributable to the exposure outstanding US$ receivables and payables at year end in the Group.

The Company engaged in fi nancial instruments contract such as forward contracts, call and put options and structured 
instruments in order to manage foreign currencies exposure.

During the year the Company engaged in four  fi nancial instruments which resulted in $245 thousand recorded as fi nance 
expenses (2018: three  fi nancial instruments which resulted in $444 thousand recorded as fi nance income).

(g) Interest rate risk management
 The Group is exposed to interest rate risk because entities in the Group borrow funds at both fi xed and fl oating interest 
rates. The risk is managed by the Group by maintaining an appropriate mix between fi xed and fl oating rate borrowings. 
The Group’s exposure to interest rate on fi nancial assets and fi nancial liabilities are detailed below (refer to section h). The 
exposure to fl oating rate loans is not material.

(h)  Liquidity risk management
 The Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate reserves, banking facilities and reserve borrowing facilities, 
by continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash fl ows, and by matching the maturity profi les of fi nancial assets and 
liabilities.

106   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   107

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

for the year ended 31 December 2019

Financial liabilities

31 December 2019

Non-interest  bearing

Bank loans interest 
bearing (*)

 Lease liabilities

31 December 2018

Non-interest  bearing

Bank loans interest 
bearing (*)

Weighted average 
eff ective interest rate

0-3 months

3 months to 
1 year

1-5 years

Total

%

–

3.64

3.12

–

2.75

$’000s

$’000s

$’000s

$’000s

41,424

1,070

518

43,012

30,660

2,259

32,919

388

5,038

1,552

6,978

577

3,028

3,605

6,482

48,294

569

6,677

8,339

15,390

10,409

65,380

5,959

37,196

486

5,773

6,445

42,969

(*) Part of the bank loans are linked to a fi x rate plus Euribor.

The future bank loan interest to be paid is $234 thousand.

(i)  Finance liabilities
 Loans from banks are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. The difference between the fair 
value of the loans and their book value is not signifi cant.

(j)  Fair value of fi nancial instruments carried at amortised cost
 The fair value of the fi nancial instruments of the Group carried at amortised cost is not considered to be materially different 
from the stated amortised cost.

(k) Fair value measurements recognised in the consolidated statement of fi nancial position
The following table provides an analysis of fi nancial instruments that are measured subsequent to initial recognition at fair 
value, grouped into Level 3 based on the degree to which their fair value is observable:

Level 3 fair value measurements are those derived from valuation techniques that include inputs for the liabilities that are 
not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

Reconciliation of Level 3 fair value measurements of fi nancial liabilities – Government grants

Fair value through profi t or loss

31 December

for the year ended 31 December 2019

Opening balance

Losses (Gains) in profi t or loss(*)

Received

Paid

Closing balance

(*) Mainly in R&D

2019
$’000s

3,634

(433)

803

(339)

3,665

2018 
$’000s

3,514

502

124

(506)

3,634

The liability was measured using the discounted cash fl ow (DCF) method. The discount rate used to measure the liability 
is 15.99%.If the discount rate decreased by 1% the liability will increase by $132 thousand.

The assumptions the Company take into consideration for the calculation of the fair value measurements of the Government 
grants liabilities are based on two parameters:

1. 

 Future  forecast  revenues  for  the  next  fi ve  years,  for  each  year  the  forecast  of  the  percentage  of  royalty-bearing 
revenues.

2.  Capitalised interest based on economic parameters in the market such as WACC and CAPM.

Reconciliation of Level 3 fair value measurements of Investments carried at fair value - IBC

31 December

Opening balance

Translation differences

Proceed on sale of investment

Gain on sale of investment

Closing balance

37  Non-cash transactions

2019
$’000s

47

3

(3,430)

3,380

–

2018
$’000s

51

(4)

–

–

47

In 2016 the acquisition of Green Lab was for a total consideration of $3.8m payable over a three-year period of which: 
$1.9m was paid in 2016, $0.6m was paid in 2017, $0.6m was paid in 2018 and the remaining $0.7m was paid in 2019.

108   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019   109
ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2018  109

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

38  Post balance sheet events

In early 2020, the existence of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) was confi rmed which has since spread across a signifi cant number 
of countries, leading to disruption to businesses and economic activity, which has been refl ected in recent fl uctuations in 
global stock markets. The Group considers the emergence and spread of COVID-19 to be a non-adjusting post balance 
sheet event. The Bio-Medical division has continued to perform well. In particular, in April 2020, the Group was awarded 
a €29 million order from a European government to deliver 1,000 ventilators (see details below). The Networking & Cyber 
division was minimally impacted in the fi rst quarter of 2020 and, whilst it has subsequently experienced some temporary 
postponements in certain projects, which the Group prudently anticipates could result in some lost revenue in this division, 
it is too early in the current fi nancial year to determine whether there will be any material impact on the Networking & 
Cyber division. Given the inherent uncertainties surrounding the length and economic severity of the pandemic, it is not 
practicable at this time to determine the exact impact of COVID-19 on the Group or to provide a quantitative estimate of 
the impact.

As  noted,  in  April  2020  the  Group  received  a  €29  million  (c.  $31  million)  order  for  the  delivery  of  1,000  critical  care 
mechanical ventilators to a European government. The Group has received an upfront fee of €7.25 million and expects 
the balance to be paid on completion of delivery in the third quarter of 2020. Production is commencing immediately at 
the Group’s Celitron subsidiary in Hungary.

110   BATM  |  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019

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