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8-K - FORM 8-K - ULTRALIFE CORPf8k_050114.htm
Exhibit 99.1
 
Company Contact:
Investor Relations Contact:
Ultralife Corporation
LHA
Philip A. Fain
Jody Burfening
(315) 332-7100
(212) 838-3777
pfain@ulbi.com
jburfening@lhai.com
 
Ultralife Corporation Reports First Quarter Results

Board of Directors Authorizes Share Repurchase Program

NEWARK, N.Y. – May 1, 2014 -- Ultralife Corporation (NASDAQ: ULBI) reported an operating loss from continuing operations of $1.1 million on revenue of $15.3 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2014.  For the first quarter of 2013, the company reported an operating profit from continuing operations of $0.4 million on revenue of $21.0 million.

“Battery & Energy Products had a promising start to the year, delivering 7% revenue growth, further revenue diversification into commercial markets, and a significantly improved gross margin.  Communications Systems has started the year slowly reflecting the fluctuating timing of orders in this business.  The closing of several large orders from the U. S. Government slipped into future quarters, including a $1.9 million order for our new Universal Vehicle Adaptors, which was anticipated in the first quarter and has now been received.  This order and a robust pipeline of opportunities support our expectation that we will begin to generate a return on our new product investments and generate top-line growth during 2014,” said Michael D. Popielec, Ultralife’s president and chief executive officer.

Added Popielec, “We ended the quarter with $18.9 million in cash and no debt, a testament to our continued productivity gains and improving cash management.   As such, our significantly strengthened balance sheet gives us enhanced financial flexibility in our capital allocation plans.  Accordingly, our Board of Directors has authorized a share repurchase program, which is intended to balance continued investments in revenue growth including new product development and acquisitions with returning capital to shareholders.”

First Quarter 2014 Financial Results

Discontinued operations for the first quarters of 2014 and 2013 include the final adjustments relating to the sale of RedBlack and the final settlement of the company’s obligation regarding its former UK facility, respectively.  All revenue, gross margin and operating expense amounts presented below represent results from continuing operations.

Revenue was $15.3 million, compared to $21.0 million for the first quarter of 2013, a 27% decline, reflecting an increase of $0.9 million in Battery & Energy Products sales offset by a $6.6 million decrease in Communications Systems sales.  Battery & Energy Products sales were $13.9 million, compared to $13.1 million last year, a 7% increase, driven by new medical cart power systems and international shipments.  Communications Systems sales were $1.4 million, compared to $8.0 million for the same period last year, a decrease of 83%, reflecting continued slowness in closing new orders from the U.S. government.

 
 

 
Gross profit was $4.3 million, or 28.4% of revenue, compared to $6.4 million, or 30.3% of revenue, for the same quarter a year ago. The 190 basis point decrease is primarily attributable to the lower mix of Communications Systems sales.  Battery & Energy Products’ gross margin was 27.3%, compared to 23.7% last year, an increase of 360 basis points reflecting ongoing productivity improvements and higher production volumes. Communications Systems’ gross margin was 39.2%, compared to 41.2%, a decrease of 200 basis points reflecting lower volumes of amplifier shipments.

Operating expenses decreased by 9.5% to $5.4 million, compared to $6.0 million a year ago, reflecting continued tight control over general and administrative spending.  Operating expenses were 35.5% of revenue, compared to 28.6% for the year earlier period.

Despite the reduction in operating expenses, the lower gross profit resulted in an operating loss of $1.1 million for the quarter compared to operating income of $0.4 million last year.

As a result, the company reported a net loss from continuing operations of $1.2 million, or $0.07 per share, compared to net income of $0.2 million, or $0.01 per share, for the first quarter of 2013.  Net loss from discontinued operations was $0.1 million, or $0.00 per share, compared to net income of $0.3 million, or $0.02 per share, for the first quarter of 2013.

Outlook

For 2014, management still expects mid-single digit organic revenue growth, despite continued constraints on global government spending. Based on this outlook for revenue growth and the improvements made to the business model in 2013, management expects to increase operating profit year-over-year and generate a mid-single digit operating margin.

Management cautions that the timing of orders and shipments may cause variability in quarterly results.

Share Repurchase Program
 
Ultralife’s Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to 1.8 million shares of the company’s common stock over the next twelve months.  Share repurchases, if any, will be made in accordance with SEC Rule 10b-18  using a variety of methods, which may include open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or block trades, or any combination of such methods, in accordance with applicable insider trading and other securities laws and regulations.

 
 

 
The timing and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors including price, market conditions and applicable legal requirements. The share repurchase program does not obligate the company to repurchase any specific number of shares and may be suspended or terminated at any time without prior notice.
 
About Ultralife Corporation

Ultralife Corporation serves its markets with products and services ranging from portable power solutions to communications and electronics systems. Through its engineering and collaborative approach to problem solving, Ultralife serves government, defense and commercial customers across the globe.

Headquartered in Newark, New York, the company's business segments include: Battery & Energy Products and Communications Systems. Ultralife has operations in North America, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.ultralifecorp.com.

Conference Call Information

Ultralife will hold its first quarter earnings conference call today at 10:00 AM ET. To participate, please call (800) 915-4836, identify yourself and ask for the Ultralife call. The conference call will also be broadcast live over the Internet at http://www.ultralifecorporation.com. To listen to the call, please go to the web site at least fifteen minutes early to download and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live webcast, a replay of the webcast will be available shortly after the call at the same location.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on current expectations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially include:  potential reductions in U.S. military spending, uncertain global economic conditions and acceptance of our new products on a global basis. The Company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company's analysis only as of today's date. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Further information on these factors and other factors that could affect Ultralife's financial results is included in Ultralife's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including the latest Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
 
 

 
ULTRALIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in Thousands)
(unaudited)
 
ASSETS
 
   
March 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 18,899     $ 16,489  
Trade accounts receivable, net
    10,036       14,238  
Inventories
    26,662       26,053  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    1,766       1,878  
Total current assets
    57,363       58,658  
                 
Property, equipment and improvements, net
    9,786       10,202  
Goodwill, intangibles and other assets
    21,220       21,334  
Total assets
  $ 88,369     $ 90,194  
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 7,064     $ 7,053  
Accrued compensation and related benefits
    1,591       1,908  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
    2,659       3,214  
Total current liabilities
    11,314       12,175  
Deferred income taxes and other non-current liabilities
    4,394       4,374  
Total liabilities
    15,708       16,549  
                 
Shareholders' equity:
               
Common stock
    1,891       1,888  
Capital in excess of par value
    175,198       174,932  
Accumulated deficit
    (96,090 )     (94,804 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (548 )     (614 )
Treasury stock
    (7,697 )     (7,658 )
Total Ultralife equity
    72,754       73,744  
Noncontrolling interest
    (93 )     (99 )
Total shareholders’ equity
    72,661       73,645  
                 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
  $ 88,369     $ 90,194  


 
 

 
ULTRALIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 (In Thousands except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 
   
Three month periods ended
 
   
March 30,
   
March 31,
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
Revenues:
           
Battery & energy products
  $ 13,922     $ 13,053  
Communications systems
    1,363       7,966  
Total revenues
    15,285       21,019  
                 
Cost of products sold:
               
Battery & energy products
    10,121       9,953  
Communications systems
    829       4,687  
Total cost of products sold
    10,950       14,640  
                 
Gross profit
    4,335       6,379  
                 
Operating expenses:
               
Research and development
    1,436       1,369  
Selling, general and administrative
    3,995       4,635  
Total operating expenses
    5,431       6,004  
                 
Operating (loss) income
    (1,096 )     375  
                 
Other expense
    (63 )     (113 )
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes
    (1,159 )     262  
                 
Income tax provision
    (60 )     (98 )
                 
Net (loss) income from continuing operations
    (1,219 )     164  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
    (61 )     264  
                 
Net (loss) income
    (1,280 )     428  
                 
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest
    (6 )     6  
                 
Net (loss) income attributable to Ultralife
  $ (1,286 )   $ 434  
                 
Net (loss) income per share attributable to Ultralife common shareholders – basic:
               
Continuing operations
  $ (.07 )   $ .01  
Discontinued operations
    .00       .02  
Total
  $ (.07 )   $ .02  
                 
Net income per share attributable to Ultralife common shareholders – diluted:
               
Continuing operations
          $ .01  
Discontinued operations
            .02  
Total
          $ .02  
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic
    17,513       17,457  
Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted
            17,478