NEXTDC names FY17 'most significant year in history'

Australian data-center-as-a-service provider NEXTDC has named FY17 the most significant year in its history as it raked in $23 million profit in FY17 – a boost from $1.8 million in FY16.

Its revenue has climbed from $92.8 million in FY16 to $123.6 million, while its contracted utilisation has also jumped 21% from 26.1MW to 31.5MW in the last year.  Interconnection has jumped from 4575 last year to 6342, a 39% increase.

"FY17 has been the most significant year in our history. We continue to experience strong demand for NEXTDC's premium data center services right across the national footprint. NEXTDC's sales pipeline is at an all-time high," comments NEXTDC CEO Craig Scroggie.

The company has also boosted its senior secured debt facilities from $100 million to $300 million, however they currently remain undrawn.

"We are currently in advanced negotiations in relation to several large customer opportunities, which are likely to result in a significant increase in the Company's contracted utilisation base," Scroggie continues.

NEXTDC has also been working on a number of developments across its Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane data centers.

Brisbane's B2 center and Melbourne's M2 center are on track for completion in 2018. B2's planned capacity has also increased to 12MW, while M2's planned capacity has increased to 40MW.

Sydney's S1 center's planned capacity has also increased by 1MW to 16MW. S2 has gained approval, subject to a 45-year ground lease arrangement with the funding firm, and development is underway.

"We continue to experience strong demand for NEXTDC's premium data center services right across the national footprint. NEXTDC's sales pipeline is at an all-time high. We are currently in advanced negotiations in relation to several large customer opportunities, which are likely to result in a significant increase in the Company's contracted utilisation base," Scroggie says.

The company's Perth P1 data center achieved UTI GOLD operational sustainability certification; Canberra's C1 critical infrastructure upgrade has been completed; and B2, M2 and S2 are aiming to achieve UTI Tier IV design as well as a NABERS 5.0 star energy efficiency design.

Scroggie says NEXTDC is in 'great shape' and continues to raise industry standards.

"Three new world-class hyperscale data centers are in development as we achieve industry leading certifications for design and construct standards, operational excellence and energy efficiency. NEXTDC's ability to attract new investment and new business is creating incredible value for Australia's digital economy, where cloud and colocation are playing an increasingly critical role," he comments.

This week the Asia Pacific Data Center Group Board of Directors' unanimous recommendation in support of NEXTDC's all-cash offer of $1.87 per security.

"We urge APDC securityholders to accept the NEXTDC Offer which remains the only unconditional offer available and capable of immediate acceptance," Scroggie comments.

NEXTDC expects to earn revenue between $146 million to $154 million in FY18.