- Reports Fifth Consecutive Quarter of Revenue above $5 million, Driven by Completion of $2.95 Million Order to Advanced Solar Market - Gross Margins Expand to 52% on Completion of High ASP Order; Operating Income Increases 103% Year over Year - Expects Continued Revenue Growth and Profitability in First Half of FY 2026; Full-Year Revenue Outlook Reflects Measured Expectations Given Potential Customer Response to Policy Shifts in Recently Enacted Budget Legislation MILTON, N.Y., July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIR ...

Core Viewpoint - Sono-Tek Corporation has received a significant order of $1.12 million from a long-term customer in the medical diagnostic testing industry, indicating a strong evolution in their partnership and the company's advanced capabilities in automation and high-volume production [1][2][3]. Company Overview - Sono-Tek Corporation, founded in 1975, is a pioneer in ultrasonic coating technology, evolving from R&D solutions to high-performance manufacturing platforms for various innovation-driven industries [5]. Customer Relationship - The customer, a global manufacturer of medical diagnostic platforms, has been a partner of Sono-Tek for nearly a decade, previously deploying over ten mid-size ultrasonic coating systems, each valued between $110,000 and $150,000 [2]. - The new order signifies a major advancement in the relationship, showcasing Sono-Tek's enhanced capabilities [2][3]. Technological Advancements - The new system ordered is designed to support sophisticated automation and reduce operator intervention, facilitating scalable production of advanced diagnostic consumables [3]. - This order aligns with Sono-Tek's strategy to provide fully integrated, high-performance coating platforms that meet the demands of high-volume manufacturing in sectors such as medical devices, alternative energy, and microelectronics [4]. Market Position - Sono-Tek's systems are recognized for enabling thin-film deposition with exceptional uniformity, material efficiency, and process control, catering to advanced applications in medical devices, microelectronics, and alternative energy [5].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net sales for fiscal year 2025 increased by 4% to $20.5 million compared to $19.7 million for fiscal year 2024 [29] - Gross profit increased by 1% year over year to $9.74 million, but gross profit percentage decreased to 47.5% from 50% due to product mix and labor expense reallocations [29][30] - Net income for fiscal year 2025 was $1.2 million or $0.08 per share, down from $1.4 million or $0.09 per share in the prior year [33] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Integrated coating system sales increased by 28% or $814,000 to $3.7 million, driven by success in the solar energy market [16] - Multi-axis coating systems saw a 6% increase or $603,000 to $10.7 million for the full fiscal year [19] - Medical sales declined by 22% for fiscal year 2025, primarily due to lower demand for stent and balloon coating systems [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales to the alternative clean energy market grew by 64% over the prior fiscal year, significantly impacted by customers transitioning to production scale systems [22] - U.S. and Canadian sales increased by 15% or $1.63 million, representing 61% of total sales compared to 55% in fiscal year 2024 [24] - Latin America sales decreased by 34% or $412,000, while Asian sales declined by 16% or $510,000 due to weak demand from China [25] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on expanding its product offerings in the clean energy sector, medical devices, and semiconductor markets, with a strategic shift towards larger, more complex systems [9][12] - Investments in R&D totaled $2.7 million, aimed at enhancing product capabilities and expanding market reach [27] - The company is optimistic about future growth prospects, particularly in the medical and semiconductor sectors, leveraging its proprietary ultrasonic atomization technology [27][62] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted some apprehension in the U.S. clean energy sector regarding order placements, but highlighted strong demand in the EU and Asia [45][46] - The company anticipates continued revenue growth and profitability in the first half of fiscal year 2026, supported by a solid backlog of $8.6 million [13][26] - Visibility into full-year revenue remains limited due to evolving conditions in the clean energy sector and potential tariff impacts [18][20] Other Important Information - The company maintains a strong cash position with cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities totaling $11.9 million as of February 28, 2025, and has no debt [33] - Capital expenditures for the full year were $496,000, primarily for upgrades to manufacturing and development facilities [34] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on backlog related to Alt Energy - Management confirmed that there are eight systems in backlog from the clean energy sector, all expected to ship in the current fiscal year [40] Question: Visibility on demand and potential pullback - Management acknowledged some apprehension in the U.S. clean energy sector but noted strong demand in other regions [45] Question: Impact of tariffs on business - Management indicated that tariffs have not significantly impacted operations outside of China, with favorable currency exchange rates aiding customer purchases [48] Question: Future growth and order visibility - Management expects to have clearer visibility on full fiscal year performance by the time Q1 earnings are reported [52] Question: Opportunities in medical and semiconductor sectors - Management highlighted strong momentum in both sectors, with a focus on high ASP systems and complex solutions [61][82] Question: Share repurchase program status - Management confirmed an active share repurchase program and stated it is regularly evaluated as part of capital allocation strategy [71]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net sales for fiscal year 2025 increased by 4% to $20.5 million compared to $19.7 million for fiscal year 2024 [29] - Gross profit increased by 1% year over year to $9.74 million, but gross profit percentage decreased to 47.5% from 50% in the prior year [29] - Net income for fiscal year 2025 was $1.2 million or $0.08 per share, down from $1.4 million or $0.09 per share in the prior year [33] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Integrated coating system sales increased by 28% or $814,000 to $3.7 million, driven by success in the clean energy market [15] - Multi-axis coating systems saw sales grow by 6% or $603,000 to $10.7 million for the full fiscal year [18] - Medical sales declined by 22% for fiscal year 2025, primarily due to lower demand for stent and balloon coating systems [21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales to the alternative clean energy market grew by 64% over the prior fiscal year [20] - U.S. and Canadian sales increased by 15% or $1.63 million, driven by the delivery of high ASP systems [23] - Latin America sales decreased by 34% or $412,000, influenced by a prior year float glass coating system sale that did not repeat [24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on expanding into the clean energy sector, with significant growth in advanced solar cells and carbon capture applications [8] - A strategic shift to larger, more complex systems has broadened the addressable market and increased average unit selling prices [7] - The company is optimistic about future demand in the medical and semiconductor markets, leveraging expertise developed in clean energy [61] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted some apprehension in the U.S. clean energy sector regarding order placements, but emphasized strong demand in the EU and Asia [45][47] - The company expects continued revenue growth and profitability in the first half of fiscal year 2026, supported by a solid backlog of $8.6 million [12][26] - Visibility into full-year revenue remains limited due to evolving conditions in the clean energy sector and potential tariff impacts [16] Other Important Information - The company invested $2.7 million in R&D for the fiscal year, down from $2.9 million in the prior year [27] - The company maintains a strong cash position with $11.9 million in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, and no debt on the balance sheet [34] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on backlog related to Alt Energy - Management confirmed that there are eight systems in backlog from the clean energy sector, all expected to ship in the current fiscal year [40] Question: Visibility on demand and potential pullback - Management acknowledged some apprehension in the U.S. clean energy sector but noted that the majority of their customers are financially stable [45][46] Question: Opportunities driving backlog in upcoming months - Management highlighted strong momentum in the medical and semiconductor sectors, with ongoing demand for high ASP products [60] Question: Medical market growth and geographical expansion - Management indicated that growth in the medical market is primarily coming from the U.S. and EU, with a shift towards more complex systems [78] Question: Semiconductor market commentary - Management noted that they are offering unique solutions that competitors cannot provide, which is driving progress in the semiconductor sector [83]

Core Insights - Sono-Tek Corporation reported a record revenue of $20.5 million for FY 2025, marking a 4% increase from $19.7 million in FY 2024, driven by strong demand in the Alternative/Clean Energy market [8][10][31] - The company has maintained a strong backlog of $8.6 million, indicating continued demand for its products [1][8] - The first half of FY 2026 is projected to see continued revenue growth and profitability, particularly in the medical device industry [2][4] Financial Performance - Net Sales for FY 2025 reached $20.5 million, up 4% from FY 2024 [10][28] - Gross Profit was $9.74 million, a slight decrease of 1% from the previous year, with a gross margin of 47.5%, down from 50% [8][10] - Operating Income decreased to $1.01 million, down 14.5% from $1.18 million in FY 2024 [10][28] - Net Income for FY 2025 was approximately $1.3 million, down from $1.4 million in FY 2024 [8][10] Market and Product Insights - The Alternative/Clean Energy market saw a significant increase of 64%, contributing $9.84 million to total sales [15][31] - The medical market experienced a decline of 22%, with sales dropping to $3.25 million [31] - The company is focusing on high average selling price (ASP) orders, which are expected to drive future growth [5][19] Geographic Performance - Sales in the U.S. and Canada increased by 15%, totaling $12.51 million [32] - Sales in the Asia Pacific region decreased by 16%, while sales in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia remained relatively stable with a 2% increase [32] Future Outlook - The company anticipates continued revenue growth and profitability in the first half of FY 2026, supported by a strong backlog and steady demand across key markets [4][9] - Visibility beyond the first half of FY 2026 is limited due to uncertainties regarding governmental clean energy incentives and evolving tariff policies [4][9]