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8-K - SONO TEK CORPeps8215.htm

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sono-Tek Reports 6% Sales Growth in Second Quarter Fiscal 2019

Backlog grows to $2.0 million driven by Alternative Energy and Medical markets

MILTON, N.Y., October 15, 2018 – Sono-Tek Corporation (OTCQX: SOTK), the leading developer and manufacturer of ultrasonic coating systems, today reported financial results for its fiscal 2019 second quarter and year-to-date period ended August 31, 2018.

Financial Highlights

· Net sales increased 6% to $2.8 million in the quarter and were up 7% to $5.5 million for the
year-to-date period

· Backlog was $2.0 million at quarter end, up 63% since the end of fiscal 2018 and up 39% from the trailing first quarter

· Company continues to expect solid growth in sales for fiscal year 2019

“Industry conditions combined with our sales and marketing initiatives are driving record levels of proposals and quotes, which we expect to continue to drive strong order flow,” commented Dr. Christopher L. Coccio, Chairman and CEO. “As expected, operating income reflects the continued investments we are making to expand our addressable markets and develop industry leading technology. In the long run, we expect the growth in volume we are working to capture will ultimately translate into strong operating leverage.”

Dr. Coccio concluded, “Given our current backlog, we anticipate solid performance in fiscal 2019. Because of the shift in product mix toward higher value, complex ultrasonic coating machines, we can have wide variations in both order flow and shipments from quarter to quarter given the timing and nature of machine sales. Specifically, as customers in the fuel cell industry begin to scale up from R&D prototype production to low rate production, orders can be uneven. Importantly, we believe we are building a business and opportunities pipeline that can achieve substantial profitable growth over the long term.”

Year-to-Date Fiscal 2019 Results (Narrative compares with prior-year period unless otherwise noted)

   Six Months Ended August 31,   Change 
   2018   2017   $   % 
Net Sales  $5,519,000   $5,154,000    365,000    7% 
Gross Profit   2,616,000    2,509,000    107,000    4% 
          Gross Margin   47.4%    48.7%           
Operating Income  $46,000   $111,000    (65,000)   (59%)
          Operating Margin   0.8%    2.1%           
Net Income  $81,000   $71,000    10,000    14% 
          Net Margin   1.5%    1.4%           
Diluted Earnings Per Share  $0.01   $0.00           
Weighted Average Shares - Diluted   15,169,000    15,060,000           
                     

Over the last few years, Sono-Tek has shifted its business from primarily selling ultrasonic nozzles and components to a more complex business providing complete machine solutions and higher value subsystems to original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”). The average unit selling price range has broadened as a result to $50 thousand to over $240 thousand per unit. As a result, order flow and backlog can vary from quarter to quarter. These machines also require larger content and hardware, such as complex motion control systems, from outside suppliers, which impacts the gross margin profile somewhat.

 

The Company’s net sales growth in the first half of fiscal 2019 was driven primarily by the Medical market, which was up 47% to $2.1 million. This was the result of the Company’s success with providing paid coating services for customer product development that drives demand for its ultrasonic coating equipment. Sales in the Alternative Energy market were up marginally through the first six months of the fiscal year; however, based upon the Company’s current backlog, sales to this market are expected to be stronger in the second half of fiscal 2019.

In the first half of fiscal 2019, approximately 62% of sales originated outside of the United States and Canada compared with 56% in the prior-year period.

From a product sales perspective, OEM Systems were up 60%, or $367,000, to $978,000 in the first half of fiscal 2019 as the Company continued to successfully provide subsystems and components, including the custom-designed Align system, to OEMs. Multi-Axis Coating Systems increased $367,000 to $2.1 million as a result of higher sales of more complex, highly engineered and higher value machines primarily for the Medical and Alternative Energy markets. These increases more than offset the decline in sales of Integrated Coating Systems, which primarily are for more mature applications in the Medical market and can be highly variable in order volume. See the accompanying tables at the end of this release for a breakout of sales by Market and Product for the six months ended August 31, 2018.

Gross margin was negatively impacted by the change in product mix and higher direct labor and service department costs, which were partially offset by the benefit of higher volume. Operating expenses were up in the period as the Company continued to invest in research and product development as well as marketing and selling activities in order to expand its future market opportunities. This includes additional software and resources as the Company begins to integrate smart technology into its products.

Higher interest and dividend income combined with net rental income aided net income growth to $81,000.

Backlog of $2.0 million was up 63% over $1.2 million at the end of fiscal 2018 and increased 39% since the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2019.

Second Quarter Fiscal 2019 Results (Narrative compares with prior-year period unless otherwise noted)

   Three Months Ended August 31,   Change 
   2018   2017   $   % 
Net Sales  $2,818,000   $2,654,000    164,000    6% 
Gross Profit   1,345,000    1,329,000    16,000    1% 
          Gross Margin   47.7%    50.1%           
Operating Income  $14,000   $90,000    (76,000)   (84%)
          Operating Margin   0.5%    3.4%           
Net Income  $59,000   $55,000    4,000    7% 
          Net Margin   2.1%    2.1%           
Diluted Earnings Per Share  $0.00   $0.00           
Weighted Average Shares - Diluted   15,224,000    15,065,000           

The net sales growth and change in gross and operating margins reflects similar commentary as the year-to-date discussion above. Approximately 62% of sales originated outside of the United States and Canada in the second quarter compared with 45% in the prior-year period. See the accompanying tables at the end of this release for a breakout of sales by Market and Product for the three months ended August 31, 2018.

 

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Overview

Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments at quarter-end were $5.7 million, down from
$6.4 million at the end of fiscal 2018. The decline was the result of the timing of working capital requirements primarily due to an increase in receivables and inventory. Higher inventory is to address both customer demand for shorter delivery cycles and increased order levels.

Year-to-date capital expenditures were $160,000 compared with $43,000 in the prior-year period.  The increase was primarily due to investments to upgrade the Company’s CNC machinery.  Sono-Tek anticipates total capital expenditures to be approximately $0.4 million to $0.6 million in fiscal 2019.

At August 31, 2018, the Company had total debt of $949,000, down $77,000 since fiscal 2018 year-end. Long-term debt is comprised of the mortgage on the Company’s industrial park complex and has an interest rate of 4.15%. Sono-Tek has a revolving credit line of $750,000 and a $250,000 equipment purchase facility, both of which had no outstanding borrowings at quarter-end.

About Sono-Tek

Sono-Tek Corporation is the leading developer and manufacturer of ultrasonic coating systems for applying precise, thin film coatings to protect, strengthen or smooth surfaces on parts and components for the microelectronics/electronics, alternative energy, medical and industrial markets, including specialized glass applications in construction and automotive.

The Company’s solutions are environmentally-friendly, efficient and highly reliable, and enable dramatic reductions in overspray, savings in raw material, water and energy usage and provide improved process repeatability, transfer efficiency, high uniformity and reduced emissions.

Sono-Tek’s growth strategy is focused on leveraging its innovative technologies, proprietary know-how, unique talent and experience, and global reach to further develop thin film coating technologies that enable better outcomes for its customers’ products and processes. For further information, visit
www.sono-tek.com.

Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains forward looking statements regarding future events and the future performance of
Sono-Tek Corporation that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These factors include, among other considerations, general economic and business conditions; political, regulatory, tax, competitive and technological developments affecting our operations or the demand for our products; timely development and market acceptance of new products and paid coating services; adequacy of financing; capacity additions; the ability to enforce patents; maintenance of operating leverage; continued reduction in inventory requirements; maintenance of order backlog; consummation of order proposals; continued sales growth in the medical and alternative energy markets; successful transition from primarily selling ultrasonic nozzles and components to a more complex business providing complete machine solutions and higher value subsystems; effectiveness of CNC machining upgrade; and the ability to achieve increased sales volume at projected levels and continued profitability. We refer you to documents that the company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which includes Form 10-K and Form 10-Qs containing additional important information.

For more information, contact:

Stephen J. Bagley Deborah K. Pawlowski  
Chief Financial Officer Investor Relations  
Sono-Tek Corporation (716) 843-3908
info@sono-tek.com dpawlowski@keiadvisors.com

 

FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW

 

SONO-TEK CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

         
   Six Months Ended
August 31,
   Three Months Ended
August 31,
 
   2018   2017   2018   2017 
                 
Net Sales  $5,518,591   $5,154,430   $2,817,731   $2,653,696 
Cost of Goods Sold   2,902,949    2,645,405    1,473,286    1,325,188 
        Gross Profit   2,615,642    2,509,025    1,344,445    1,328,508 
                     
Operating Expenses                    
Research and product development costs   653,764    617,173    319,898    307,923 
Marketing and selling expenses   1,326,701    1,215,471    696,913    627,674 
General and administrative costs   589,200    564,980    313,808    302,590 
            Total Operating Expenses   2,569,665    2,397,624    1,330,619    1,238,187 
                     
Operating Income (Loss)   45,977    111,401    13,826    90,321 
                     
Interest Expense   (20,817)   (24,031)   (10,203)   (11,818)
Interest and Dividend Income   71,522    36,211    36,916    19,068 
Realized gain (loss) on sale of marketable securities   119,075    (8,584)   89,683    (8,584)
Net unrealized loss on marketable securities   (129,657)       (80,596)    
Other income   19,515    7,592    16,995    9,251 
                     
Income Before Income Taxes   105,615    122,589    66,621    98,238 
                     
Income Tax Expense   25,061    52,075    7,497    43,593 
                     
Net Income   80,554    70,514    59,124    54,645 
                     
Other Comprehensive Income                    
Net unrealized gain on marketable securities       59,638        32,603 
                     
Comprehensive Income  $80,554   $130,152   $59,124   $87,248 
                     
Basic Earnings Per Share  $0.01   $0.00   $0.00   $0.00 
                     
Diluted Earnings Per Share  $0.01   $0.00   $0.00   $0.00 
                     
Weighted Average Shares - Basic   15,036,644    14,961,137    15,085,660    14,961,197 
                     
Weighted Average Shares - Diluted   15,169,210    15,060,026    15,224,221    15,064,631 

 

 

SONO-TEK CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

   August 31,     
   2018   February 28, 
   (Unaudited)   2018 
ASSETS          
           
Current Assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $1,655,405   $2,016,464 
Marketable securities   4,091,994    4,405,900 
Accounts receivable (less allowance of $46,000 at August 31 and February 28)   1,293,477    774,778 
Inventories, net   1,650,787    1,354,083 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   114,725    139,406 
Total current assets   8,806,388    8,690,631 
           
Land   250,000    250,000 
Buildings, net   1,770,394    1,807,339 
Equipment, furnishings and building improvements, net   531,241    498,401 
Intangible assets, net   126,673    136,576 
Deferred tax asset   396,387    396,387 
           
TOTAL ASSETS  $11,881,083   $11,779,334 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
           
Current Liabilities:          
Accounts payable  $871,181   $652,863 
Accrued expenses   746,721    893,192 
Customer deposits   430,828    344,098 
Current maturities of long term debt   159,404    156,119 
Income taxes payable   8,256    84,621 
Total current liabilities   2,216,390    2,130,893 
           
Deferred tax liability   385,384    385,384 
Long term debt, less current maturities   789,836    870,532 
Total liabilities   3,391,610    3,386,809 
           
Commitments and Contingencies        
           
Stockholders’ Equity          
Common stock, $.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized, 15,155,560 and 14,986,367 shares issued and outstanding, at August 31 and February 28, respectively   151,556    149,864 
Additional paid-in capital   8,915,873    8,901,171 
Accumulated deficit   (577,956)   (760,115)
Accumulated other comprehensive income       101,605 
Total stockholders’ equity   8,489,473    8,392,525 
           
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY  $11,881,083   $11,779,334 

 

 

 

SONO-TEK CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

   Six Months Ended
August 31,
 
   2018   2017 
         
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:          
Net Income  $80,554   $70,514 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:          
Depreciation and amortization   172,130    200,776 
Stock based compensation expense   16,394    21,488 
Inventory reserve   36,000    50,601 
Unrealized loss on marketable securities   129,657     
Decrease (Increase) in:          
Accounts receivable   (518,699)   213,868 
Inventories   (332,704)   (275,643)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   24,682    28,857 
(Decrease) Increase in:          
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   71,845    220,863 
Customer Deposits   88,398    533,485 
Income taxes payable   (76,365)   (2,813)
Net Cash (Used In) Provided by Operating Activities   (308,108)   1,061,996 
           
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:          
Purchase of equipment and furnishings   (159,790)   (42,917)
Sale (purchase) of marketable securities   184,249    (1,141,754)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities   24,459    (1,184,671)
           
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:          
Repayment of long term debt   (77,410)   (74,259)
Net Cash Used In Financing Activities   (77,410)   (74,259)
           
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS   (361,059)   (196,934)
           
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS          
Beginning of period   2,016,464    2,557,223 
End of period  $1,655,405   $2,360,289 
           
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURE:          
Interest paid  $20,817   $24,031 
Income Taxes Paid  $101,426   $58,969 

 

 

 

SONO-TEK CORPORATION

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION – MARKET AND PRODUCT SALES

(Unaudited)

Market Sales:

   Three Months Ended August 31,   Change 
   2018   % of total   2017   % of total   $   % 
Electronics/Microelectronics  $687,000    24%   $737,000    28%    (50,000)   (7%) 
Medical   1,170,000    42%    825,000    31%    345,000    42% 
Alternative Energy   325,000    12%    306,000    12%    19,000    6% 
Emerging R&D and Other   30,000    1%    59,000    2%    (29,000)   (49%)
Industrial   606,000    21%    727,000    27%    (121,000)   (17%)
TOTAL  $2,818,000        $2,654,000        $164,000    6% 

 

   Six Months Ended August 31,   Change 
   2018   % of total   2017   % of total   $   % 
Electronics/Microelectronics  $1,694,000    31%   $1,713,000    33%    (19,000)   (1%)
Medical   2,051,000    37%    1,396,000    27%    655,000    47% 
Alternative Energy   640,000    11%    630,000    12%    10,000    2% 
Emerging R&D and Other   101,000    2%    184,000    4%    (83,000)   (45%)
Industrial   1,033,000    19%    1,231,000    24%    (198,000)   (16%)
TOTAL  $5,519,000        $5,154,000        $365,000    7% 

 

Product Sales:

   Three Months Ended August 31,   Change 
   2018   % of total   2017   % of total   $   % 
Fluxing Systems  $233,000    8%   $193,000    7%    40,000    21% 
Integrated Coating Systems   283,000    10%    668,000    25%    (385,000)   (58%) 
Multi-Axis Coating Systems   1,270,000    45%    1,004,000    38%    266,000    26% 
OEM Systems   520,000    19%    301,000    11%    219,000    73% 
Other   512,000    18%    488,000    19%    24,000    5% 
TOTAL  $2,818,000        $2,654,000        $164,000    6% 

 

   Six Months Ended August 31,   Change 
   2018   % of total   2017   % of total   $   % 
Fluxing Systems  $573,000    10%   $485,000    10%    88,000    18% 
Integrated Coating Systems   631,000    11%    1,250,000    24%    (619,000)   (50%) 
Multi-Axis Coating Systems   2,132,000    39%    1,765,000    34%    367,000    21% 
OEM Systems   978,000    18%    611,000    12%    367,000    60% 
Other   1,205,000    22%    1,043,000    20%    162,000    16% 
TOTAL  $5,519,000        $5,154,000        $365,000    7%