Sono-Tek Reports Fiscal Second Quarter and First Half 2025 Financial Results, Record Backlog and Provides Revenue Guidance

MILTON, N.Y., October 15, 2024 - PRISM MediaWire - Sono-Tek Corporation (Nasdaq: SOTK), the leading developer and manufacturer of ultrasonic coating systems, today reported financial results for the second quarter and first half of fiscal year 2025, ended August 31, 2024.

Second Quarter and First Half Fiscal 2025 Highlights

· Net Sales for the quarter decreased by 8% or $477,000 to $5,162,000 compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2024, which saw elevated sales due to the resolution of supply chain challenges, which had previously impacted the Company’s operations. Second quarter revenue increased 3% sequentially to $5.2 million, meeting quarterly guidance of 2%-5% growth, driven by strong shipments to the clean energy and electronics markets.

· Record first half fiscal 2025 revenue increased by 10% year over year to $10.2 million compared to $9.2 million.

· First half fiscal 2025 gross profit increased 9% year over year to $5.0 million compared with $4.6 million.

· First half fiscal 2025 net income increased 13% year over year to $672 thousand, or $0.04 per share, compared with $595 thousand, or $0.04 per share.

· As of August 31, 2024, cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $11.6 million with no outstanding debt.

· Total equipment and service-related backlog increased 7% year over year and 50% sequentially to a record $11.7 million, compared to $10.9 million at the end of Q2 FY2024, and $7.8 million at the end of Q1 FY2025.

· Continued revenue growth is expected for the full fiscal year 2025, ending February 28, 2025.

Net Sales for the quarter decreased by 8% or $477,000 to $5,162,000 compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2024 which reflected a strong recovery from supply chain constraints.  Net sales increased 3% sequentially to $5.2 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2025. The increase was primarily driven by increased demand for Integrated Coating systems which are commonly used for high volume production platforms in the clean energy sector.

· Integrated Coating System sales accelerated significantly from growing market acceptance of the new PLC based platform systems developed under Sono-Tek’s Altair program. During the second quarter, two high ASP systems using the Altair developed capabilities shipped to a large solar company valued at $1,460,000.

· Fluxing system sales dipped this quarter with softening activity from the printed circuit board sector, although quoting activity remains strong for these products with recent significant distributor changes.

· OEM sales dipped as well due to many OEM partners having previously built-up excess inventory to combat supply chain concerns and partially due to a reduction in sales of our China based OEM partners products due to China’s struggling economy.

Sales to the Alternative/Clean Energy market grew 37% and were positively impacted by significant government investments and a growing number of Sono-Tek’s customers transitioning from R&D systems to production scale systems that carry much higher ASPs. Sono-Tek platforms are used in the manufacturing of advanced solar cells and for critical membranes used in carbon capture, green hydrogen generation and fuel cell applications.

Electronics market sales increased 51% influenced by the shipment of two systems of a newly developed coating system with wafer shuttling capabilities for the semiconductor market.

Medical sales were down 77%, primarily driven by lower demand for stent and balloon coating systems. However, based on current backlog and order activity, the Company expects balloon coating system sales to recover in the second half of the year. In contrast, stent coating system sales are likely to remain subdued as several customers in this market have reported slower business activity.

Industrial sales declined by 30% partially influenced by a float glass coating system that shipped in the prior fiscal year and did not repeat in the current fiscal year.

The three-month periods ended August 31, 2024 and 2023 are referred to as the second quarter of fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024, respectively.

Revenue for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 was $5.2 million, compared to $5.6 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2024, in line with quarterly guidance and reflecting elevated sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 as supply chain issues alleviated.

Gross profit was $2.5 million, compared with $2.8 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2024. The gross profit percentage was 49% compared with 50% for the prior year period, primarily due to product mix, inclusive of a decrease in OEM systems sales which typically have high profit margins, and the reallocation and recharacterization of specific labor expenses from the engineering department to cost of goods sold that started in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024 as an outcome of the completion of several successful R&D endeavors. During the quarter, the decrease in gross profit was partially offset by favorable warranty expense reserves.

Operating expenses were $2.2 million for the second quarter of each fiscal 2025 and 2024.

Research and product development costs decreased 12% year over year to $696 thousand due to a decrease in salary associated with the departure of a senior engineer, a decrease in research and development materials and the reallocation and recharacterization of specific labor expenses from the engineering department to cost of goods sold that started in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024 as an outcome of the completion of several successful R&D endeavors.

Marketing and selling expenses increased 5% year over year to $988 thousand primarily due to increases in commissions, travel and trade show expenses, partially offset by a decrease in salary expenses. General and Administrative expenses increased 9% year over year to $546 thousand primarily due to increased salaries, legal and audit fees and other corporate expenses.

Operating income was $286 thousand compared to $566 thousand in the prior year period, primarily due to the decrease in revenue and gross profit. Operating margin for the quarter was 6% compared to 10% in the prior year period.

Net income was $341 thousand, or $0.02 per share, compared with $541 thousand, or $0.03 per share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2024, primarily due to a decrease in gross profit.

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding were 15,768,251 million compared to 15,773,665 for the prior year period.

Total sales increased by 10% to $10.2 million in the first half of fiscal 2025 compared to $9.2 million for the first half of fiscal 2024, strongly impacted by increased sales from the Alternative Energy Market due to the shipment of three high ASP systems to a large solar company totaling $2,190,000.

Gross profit increased 9% to $5.0 million for the first half of fiscal 2025 compared with $4.6 million in the first half of fiscal 2024. The gross profit margin was 49% compared with 50% for the prior year period.

Operating income increased 11% to $524 thousand compared with $474 for the first half of fiscal 2024. Operating margin for the first half of fiscal 2024 was nearly even at 5% compared with 5% in the first half of fiscal 2024.

Net income increased 13% to $672 thousand, or $0.04 per share, for the first half of fiscal 2025 compared with $595 thousand, or $0.04 per share, for the first half of fiscal 2024.

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding were 15,771,472 compared to 15,775,032 for the prior year period.

At August 31, 2024, cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $11.6 million, with no debt, and stockholders’ equity was $17.0 million.

Capital expenditures in the first half of fiscal 2025 were $191,000, which were invested in ongoing upgrades to the Sono-Tek’s manufacturing facilities. Sono-Tek anticipates capital expenditures will total approximately $460,000 in fiscal year 2025.

Sono-Tek will hold a conference call to discuss its second quarter and first half of fiscal year 2025 financial results today, Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at 10:00 am ET. To participate, please call 1-844-481-2752 at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the call and ask to join the Sono-Tek call.

A simultaneous webcast of the call may be accessed through the Company's website, Events & Presentations | Sono-Tek or at https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=Es5mXgrt

A replay of the call will be available at 1-877-344-7529, access code # 4946283, through October 22, 2024. A replay of the call will also be available on the Company’s website for one year at www.sono-tek.com.

Sono-Tek Corporation is a global leader in the design and manufacture of ultrasonic coating systems that are shaping industries and driving innovation worldwide.  Our ultrasonic coating systems are used to apply thin films onto parts used in diverse industries including microelectronics, alternative energy, medical devices, advanced industrial manufacturing, and research and development sectors worldwide.  Sono-Tek's inroads into the clean energy sector are showing transformative results in next-gen solar cells, fuel cells, green hydrogen generation, and carbon capture applications. 

Our product line is rapidly evolving, transitioning from R&D to high-volume production machines with significantly higher average selling prices, showcasing our market leadership and adaptability. Our comprehensive suite of thin film coating solutions and application consulting services are expected to generate unparalleled results for our clients and help some of the world's most promising companies achieve technological breakthroughs and bring them to the market. The Company strategically delivers its products to customers through a network of direct sales personnel, carefully chosen independent distributors, and experienced sales representatives, ensuring efficient market reach across diverse sectors around the globe.

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.

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 “forward-looking statements’ are based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data and our operating plans. They are inherently uncertain, and investors must recognize that events could turn out to be significantly different from our expectations and could cause actual results to differ materially. These factors include, among other considerations, general economic and business conditions, including political, regulatory, tax, competitive and technological developments affecting our operations or the demand for our products; inflationary and supply chain pressures; continued private and public funding for the clean energy sector and continued strong demand for Sono-Tek’s suite of thin film coating solutions and application consulting services in the clean energy and other markets; maintenance of order backlog; the imposition of tariffs; timely development and market acceptance of new products and continued customer validation of our coating technologies; adequacy of financing; capacity additions, the ability to enforce patents; maintenance of operating leverage; consummation of order proposals; completion of large orders on schedule and on budget; successful transition from primarily selling ultrasonic nozzles and components to a more complex business providing complete machine solutions and higher value subsystems; and realization of quarterly and annual revenues within the forecasted range of sales guidance. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

Stephen J. Bagley

Chief Financial Officer

Ph: (845) 795-2020

Kirin Smith

PCG Advisory, Inc.

Source: Sono-Tek Corp.