ETC Announces Fiscal 2024 Third Quarter Results


SOUTHAMPTON, Pa., Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Environmental Tectonics Corporation (OTC Pink: ETCC) (“ETC” or the “Company”) today reported its financial results for the thirteen week period ended November 24, 2023 (the “2024 third quarter”) and the fiscal first three quarters ended November 24, 2023.

Robert L. Laurent, Jr., ETC’s Chief Executive Officer and President stated, “We are extremely pleased with the overall 58% increase in third quarter sales versus prior year, as well as our return to profitability with net income of $0.5 million compared to a loss of $0.8 million versus the prior year. At the same time, bookings remain strong increasing 108% in the third quarter when compared to prior year. This has increased our backlog 383% from the prior year to the current $114.5 million. This continued acceleration in sales and increased backlog, along with a solid pipeline of opportunities, position us well moving forward.”

Fiscal 2024 Third Quarter Results of Operations

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to ETC

Net income attributable to ETC was $0.5 million, or $0.02 diluted earnings per share, in the 2024 fiscal third quarter, compared to net loss attributable to ETC of ($0.8) million during the 2023 fiscal third quarter, equating to ($0.06) diluted loss per share. The $1.2 million variance is primarily attributable to a $3.8 million increase in revenue as well as a 0.6% increase in gross profit margin percentage.

Net Sales

Net sales in the 2024 fiscal third quarter were $10.2 million, an increase of $3.8 million, or 58.3%, compared to 2023 fiscal third quarter net sales of $6.4 million. The increase in net sales was driven by a $2.8 million or 82.9% increase in aerospace solutions and a $1.3 million or 60.0% increase in sterilizer systems net sales in 2024 fiscal third quarter as compared to 2023 fiscal third quarter net sales. Bookings in the 2024 fiscal third quarter were $13.2 million, which were driven by $9.3 of Aerospace Solutions orders and $3.4 of Sterilizer Systems orders.

Gross Profit

Gross profit for the 2024 fiscal third quarter of $2.8 million increased from $1.8 million in the 2023 fiscal third quarter, an increase of $1.1 million or 61.6%. Gross profit margin percentage of 27.8% for the 2024 fiscal third quarter represented an increase of 0.6% as compared to 27.2% in the 2023 third fiscal quarter. The increase in gross profit was mainly due to the increase in sales as well as the improved gross profit margin percentage.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses, including sales and marketing, general and administrative, and research and development, for the 2024 fiscal third quarter were $2.0 million, a decrease of $0.3 million, or (12.5%), compared to $2.3 million for the 2023 fiscal third quarter. The decrease in operating expenses was due primarily to lower research and development costs of $0.2 million in the 2024 fiscal third quarter compared to the 2023 fiscal third quarter.

Fiscal 2024 First Three Quarters Results of Operations

Net (Loss) Attributable to ETC

Net loss attributable to ETC was ($1.0) million, or ($0.09) diluted loss per share, in the 2024 fiscal first three quarters, compared to net loss attributable to ETC of ($0.2) million during the 2023 fiscal first three quarters, equating to ($0.03) diluted loss per share. The ($0.8) million variance is due primarily to the effect of a gain on the sale of the facility at 125 James Way, Southampton, PA in the 2023 fiscal first three quarters partially offset by improved operating results in the 2024 fiscal first three quarters.

Net Sales

Net sales in the 2024 fiscal first three quarters were $26.9 million, an increase of $9.3 million, or 53.1%, compared to 2023 fiscal first three quarters net sales of $17.6 million. The increase in net sales is attributable to a $6.4 million or 106.0% increase in Aircrew Training Systems and a $4.7 million or 97.9% increase in sterilizer systems 2024 fiscal first three quarters net sales offset in part by a ($1.4) million or (53.3%) decrease in environmental net sales in the 2024 fiscal first three quarters as compared to the 2023 fiscal first three quarters.

Gross Profit

Gross profit for the 2024 fiscal first three quarters was $7.0 million compared to $4.6 million in the 2023 fiscal first three quarters, an increase of $2.3 million, or 49.7%. The increase in gross profit was due to an increase in net sales slightly offset by lower gross profit margin percentage. Gross profit margin of 25.9% for the 2024 fiscal first three quarters represented a decrease of 0.6% compared to 26.5% in 2023 fiscal first three quarters. Gross profit margin percentage was negatively affected during the 2024 fiscal first three quarters as the Company began to ramp up employment early in the year to handle the significant increase in backlog.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses, including sales and marketing, general and administrative, and research and development, for the 2024 fiscal first three quarters were $7.0 million, an increase of $0.5 million, or 6.9%, compared to $6.5 million for the 2023 fiscal first three quarters. The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to increased expense related to higher sales and personnel expense as the company continues to grow our capacity to deliver on the increasing sales backlog.

Other Expenses (Income), Net

Other expense, net for the 2024 fiscal first three quarters was $0.2 million compared to other income, net of ($2.1) million for the 2023 fiscal first three quarters, an unfavorable variance of $2.3 million, or 110.2%. This is a direct result of the gain on the facility sale of 125 James Way in the 2023 fiscal first three quarters referenced above.

Cash Flows from Operating, Investing, and Financing Activities

During the 2024 fiscal first three quarters, the Company used $6.0 million of cash from operating activities, due primarily from an increase in accounts receivable and prepaid expenses and other assets, slightly offset by an increase in accounts payable and contract liabilities, as compared to providing $1.4 million during the 2023 fiscal first three quarters.

Cash used for investing activities was $0.2 million during the 2024 fiscal first three quarters which primarily related to funds used for capital expenditures on equipment and software development as compared to $4.5 million provided by investing activities during the fiscal first three quarters of 2023 primarily attributable to the facility sale of 125 James Way.

The Company’s financing activities included increased borrowings of $4.3 million during the fiscal first three quarters of 2024 under the Company’s credit facility as compared to using $4.3 million of cash during the 2023 fiscal first three quarters for repayments under the Company’s credit facilities.

About ETC

ETC was incorporated in 1969 in Pennsylvania. For over five decades, we have provided our customers with products, services, and support. Innovation, continuous technological improvement and enhancement, and product quality are core values that are critical to our success. We are a significant supplier and innovator in the following areas: (i) software driven products and services used to create and monitor the physiological effects of flight, including high performance jet tactical flight simulation, fixed and rotary wing upset prevention and recovery and spatial disorientation, and both suborbital and orbital commercial human spaceflight, collectively, Aircrew Training Systems (“ATS”); (ii) altitude (hypobaric) chambers; (iii) hyperbaric chambers for multiple persons (multiplace chambers); (iv) Advanced Disaster Management Simulators (“ADMS”); (v) steam and gas (ethylene oxide) sterilizer systems (“Sterilizer Systems” or “Sterilizers”); and (vi) environmental testing and simulation systems (“ETSS”).

We operate in two primary business segments, Aerospace Solutions (“Aerospace”) and Commercial/Industrial Systems (“CIS”). Aerospace encompasses the design, manufacture, and sale of: (i) ATS products; (ii) altitude (hypobaric) chambers; (iii) hyperbaric chambers for multiple persons (multiplace chambers); and (iv) ADMS, as well as integrated logistics support (“ILS”) for customers who purchase these products or similar products manufactured by other parties. These products and services provide customers with an offering of comprehensive solutions for improved readiness and reduced operational costs. Sales of our Aerospace products are made principally to U.S. and foreign government agencies and to civil aviation organizations. CIS encompasses the design, manufacture, and sale of: (i) steam and gas (ethylene oxide) sterilizer systems; and (ii) ETSS; as well as parts and service support for customers who purchase these products or similar products manufactured by other parties. Sales of our CIS products are made principally to the healthcare, pharmaceutical, and automotive industries.

ETC-PZL Aerospace Industries Sp. z o.o. (“ETC-PZL”), our 100%-owned subsidiary in Warsaw, Poland, is currently our only operating subsidiary. ETC-PZL manufactures certain simulators and provides software to support products manufactured domestically within our Aerospace segment.

The majority of our net sales are generated from long-term contracts with U.S. and foreign government agencies (including foreign military sales (“FMS”) contracted through the U.S. Government) for the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of ATS products, including Chambers and the simulators manufactured and sold through ETC-PZL, collectively, ATS. The Company also enters into long-term contracts with domestic customers for the sale of sterilizers and ETSS. Net sales of ADMS are generally much shorter term in nature and vary between domestic and international customers. We generally provide our products and services under fixed-price contracts.

ETC’s unique ability to offer complete systems, designed and produced to high technical standards, sets it apart from its competition. ETC’s headquarters is located in Southampton, PA. For more information about ETC, visit http://www.etcusa.com/.

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Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements, which are based on management’s expectations and are subject to uncertainties and changes in circumstances. Words and expressions reflecting something other than historical fact are intended to identify forward-looking statements, and these statements may include words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “future”, “predict”, “potential”, “intend”, or “continue”, and similar expressions. We base our forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events or future financial performance. Our forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about ETC and its subsidiaries that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results implied by these forward-looking statements. We caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

Contact:Tim Kennedy, CFO
Phone:(215) 355-9100 x1531
E-mail:tkennedy@etcusa.com 

- Financial Tables Follow -

Table A        
Environmental Tectonics Corporation 
Summary Table of Results 
(in thousands, except per share information) 
(unaudited) 
          
  Thirteen weeks ended Variance 
  November 24, 2023 November 25, 2022 ($) (%) 
Net sales$10,210  $6,449  $3,761  58.3  
Cost of goods sold 7,375   4,695   2,680  57.1  
Gross Profit 2,835   1,754   1,081  61.6  
 Gross profit margin % 27.8%  27.2%  0.6% 2.1% 
          
Operating expenses 2,008   2,296   (288) -12.5  
Operating income (loss) 827   (542)  1,369  252.6  
 Operating margin % 8.1%  -8.4%  16.5% 196.4% 
          
Interest expense, net 224   121   103  85.1  
Other expense (income), net 74   56   18  32.1  
Income (loss) before income taxes 529   (719)  1,248  173.6  
 Pre-tax margin % 5.2%  -11.1%  16.3% 146.4% 
          
Income tax provision 40   20   20  100.0  
Net income (loss) 489   (739)  1,228  166.2  
Income attributable to non-controlling interest -   (8)  8  100.0  
Net income(loss) attributable to ETC 489   (747)  1,236  165.5  
Preferred Stock dividends (121)  (121)  -  0.0  
Income (loss) attributable to common and        
Participating shareholders$368  $(868) $1,236  142.4  
          
Per share information:        
 Basic earnings (loss) per common and participating share:        
 Distributed earnings per share:        
 Common$-  $-  $-    
 Preferred$0.02  $0.02  $-  0.0  
 Undistributed earnings (loss) per share:        
 Common$0.02  $(0.06) $0.08  133.3  
 Preferred$0.02  $(0.06) $0.08  133.3  
Diluted earnings (loss) per share$0.02  $(0.06) $0.08  133.3  
          
Total basic weighted average common and        
participating shares 15,569   15,569      
          
Total diluted weighted average shares 15,569   15,569      
          


Table B        
Environmental Tectonics Corporation 
Summary Table of Results 
(in thousands, except per share information) 
(unaudited) 
          
  Thirty-nine weeks ended Variance 
  August 25, 2023August 26, 2022($) (%) 
Net sales$26,893  $17,560  $9,333  53.1  
Cost of goods sold 19,934   12,911   7,023  54.4  
Gross Profit 6,959   4,649   2,310  49.7  
 Gross profit margin % 25.9%  26.5%  -0.6% -2.2% 
          
Operating expenses 6,981   6,531   450  6.9  
Operating (loss) (22)  (1,882)  1,860  98.8  
 Operating margin % -0.1%  -10.7%  10.6% 99.1% 
          
Interest expense, net
 650   366   284  77.6  
Other expense (income), net 217   (2,123)  2,340  -110.2  
(Loss)/income before income taxes (889)  (125)  (764) -611.2  
 Pre tax margin % -3.3%  -0.7%  -2.6% -365.8% 
          
Income tax provision 120   60   60  100.0  
Net (loss) income (1,009)  (185)  (824) -445.4  
Loss attributable to non-controlling interest -   16   (16) 100.0  
Net (loss) income attributable to ETC (1,009)  (169)  (840) -497.0  
Preferred Stock Dividends (363)  (363)  -  0.0  
(Loss) income attributable to common and        
Participating shareholders$(1,372) $(532) $(840) -157.9  
          
Per share information:        
 Basic earnings (loss) per common and participating share:        
 Distributed earnings per share:        
 Common$-  $-      
 Preferred$0.06  $0.06  $-  0.0  
 Undistributed (loss) per share:        
 Common$(0.09) $(0.03) $(0.06) -200.0  
 Preferred$(0.09) $(0.03) $(0.06) -200.0  
 Diluted (loss) per share$(0.09) $(0.03) $(0.06) -200.0  
          
Total basic weighted average common and        
participating shares 15,569   15,569      
          
Total diluted weighted average shares 15,569   15,569