Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales for Q4 2024 reached $208.5 million, marking a significant recovery and just short of the all-time high from Q3 2018, despite challenges from the Boeing strike [9] - Adjusted operating income for the quarter was 11.4%, up from 5.9% year-over-year, while adjusted net income increased to 8.1% from 3.3% [10] - Adjusted EBITDA was $31.5 million, representing 15.1% of sales, with positive cash from operations of $26.4 million, the first positive cash quarter since before the pandemic [10][28] - Full-year sales grew to $795 million, up 15.4% from 2023, with adjusted operating income rising to 7.7% from 2.1% [15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The aerospace segment achieved record sales of $188.5 million, an 11.7% increase for the quarter, driven by commercial and military aircraft demand [11][39] - Adjusted operating profit for aerospace improved to $30.2 million, with an adjusted operating margin of 16.0%, up 5.8 percentage points year-over-year [41] - The test segment's operating profit was roughly breakeven, with expectations for $4 to $5 million in annual cost savings beginning in Q1 2025 due to restructuring [42][43] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Q4 bookings totaled $196 million, resulting in a book-to-bill ratio of 0.94%, with the Boeing strike estimated to have impacted bookings by about $10 million in both Q3 and Q4 [16] - The company ended the year with a backlog of $599 million, indicating strong demand and operational recovery [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to increase capital expenditures to approximately $35 to $40 million in 2025, focusing on facility consolidation and capacity expansion [35][36] - The intention is to utilize available liquidity for reinvestment, acquisitions, or share buybacks, as well as to settle convertible bonds in cash to minimize dilution [34][37] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's position heading into 2025, citing strong liquidity, a record backlog, and improving supply chain efficiency [52] - The sales guidance for 2025 is maintained at $820 to $860 million, with expectations for sales to ramp up throughout the year, particularly in the second half [53] Other Important Information - Legal expenses related to a patent infringement dispute in the UK amounted to $6.1 million, with a favorable ruling resulting in a damages award of $11.8 million, significantly lower than initial estimates [14][48] - The company has been involved in multiple legal proceedings across various countries, with outcomes varying but generally trending positively [45][46] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss the potential for other open-ended cases regarding damages claims? - Management indicated uncertainty, noting that outcomes in France could range from zero to further litigation, while Germany's situation remains complex [56][58] Question: What are the plans for increased CapEx this year? - The increase is primarily for facility consolidation and catching up on deferred maintenance, with a focus on expansion as the business grows [62][64] Question: How do you see military programs being affected by potential defense budget reallocations? - Management believes that military programs, particularly spare parts and small drone work, will continue to receive support, with specific attention on the FLRAA program [70][71] Question: Can you provide insights on the 2025 outlook and ARO test split? - The expectation is for a continued strong performance in aerospace, while the test segment's performance will depend on the ramp-up of the army radio program [75][78] Question: What are the thoughts on tariffs and their impact? - Management noted that the supply chain has minimized dependence on China, and while tariffs could be a concern, they do not foresee significant impacts at this time [80][82] Question: What is the outlook for the retrofit market? - The retrofit market remains strong, driven by the need for updated technologies in older aircraft, with ongoing demand for modernization [86]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales for Q4 2024 reached $208.5 million, marking a significant recovery despite challenges such as the Boeing strike [9] - Adjusted operating income increased to 11.4% from 5.9% year-over-year, while adjusted net income rose to 8.1% from 3.3% [10] - Adjusted EBITDA was $31.5 million, representing 15.1% of sales, with positive cash from operations of $26.4 million, the first positive cash quarter since before the pandemic [10][28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Aerospace segment sales hit a record $188.5 million, up 11.7% year-over-year, driven by commercial and military aircraft demand [11][39] - Adjusted operating margin for aerospace improved to 16.0%, up 5.8 percentage points year-over-year [41] - The test segment showed modest improvement but remained roughly breakeven, with expectations for $4 to $5 million in annual cost savings beginning in Q1 2025 [42][43] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Q4 bookings totaled $196 million, resulting in a book-to-bill ratio of 0.94%, with an estimated $10 million impact on bookings due to the Boeing strike [16] - The company ended the year with a backlog of $599 million, indicating strong demand moving into 2025 [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to increase capital expenditures to approximately $35 to $40 million in 2025, focusing on facility consolidation and capacity expansion [35][36] - The strategy includes reinvesting in the business and potentially using excess liquidity for acquisitions or share buybacks [37][34] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the company's position, citing strong liquidity and a record backlog as key indicators for 2025 [52] - The company maintains a sales guidance of $820 to $860 million for 2025, with expectations for sales to ramp up in the second half of the year [53] Other Important Information - The company reported a net loss of $0.08 per diluted share for the quarter, but non-GAAP adjusted earnings per share improved to $0.48 from $0.19 year-over-year [27][28] - Legal expenses related to a patent infringement dispute in the UK amounted to $6.1 million, with a favorable ruling resulting in a damages award of $11.8 million, significantly lower than initial estimates [14][48] Q&A Session Summary Question: Potential for other open-ended cases to have damages claims - Management indicated uncertainty regarding potential damages in ongoing cases, with outcomes in France and Germany still pending [56][58] Question: Increased CapEx plans - The increase in CapEx is primarily for facility consolidation and deferred maintenance, with expectations for a steady cash flow throughout the year [62][64] Question: Military programs and defense budget reallocations - Management believes military programs will remain stable, with strong support for key initiatives like the FLRAA program [70][72] Question: 2025 outlook and ARO test split - The company expects a continued strong performance in aerospace, while the test segment may face challenges in the first half of 2025 [75][78] Question: Tariffs and supply chain impacts - Management noted that the supply chain has adapted to minimize dependence on China, and they do not foresee significant tariff impacts [80][82] Question: Retrofit market demand - The retrofit market remains strong, driven by modernization efforts and the demand for updated technologies in older aircraft [85][87] Question: Order rates from Boeing - Management reported that order rates have not significantly rebounded, but there is strong momentum in delivery requests from Boeing [92][94] Question: Municipal transit markets - Management noted that while return-to-office programs are gaining momentum, they have not yet materially impacted the municipal transit market [97][99]