Amprius Technologies(AMPX) - 2024 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics - The company reported $7.9 million in total revenue for Q3 2024, more than doubling the revenue from Q2 2024 and nearly tripling the revenue from Q3 2023 [16] - Product revenue accounted for$6.1 million, an 81% sequential increase and a 176% year-over-year increase [26] - Development services and grant revenue totaled $1.8 million, up from none in Q2 and$1.2 million year-over-year [27] - Gross margin improved to negative 65% in Q3 2024, compared to negative 195% in Q2 2024 and negative 152% in Q3 2023 [28] - GAAP net loss for Q3 2024 was $10.9 million, or$0.10 per share, compared to a net loss of $0.13 per share in Q2 2024 and$0.10 per share in Q3 2023 [29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics - The company shipped to 94 customers in Q3 2024, including 53 new customers, bringing the year-to-date customer count to over 175 [16] - The SiCore product line was a primary driver of growth, with $20 million in contracts signed for light electric vehicle applications [17][18] - The company delivered high-energy density 360 Wh/kg EV battery cells to the USABC, achieving 1,200 Wh/kg power density and a 15-minute charge to 90$18 billion in 2023 to $213 billion by 2032, while the electric aircraft and eVTOL battery market could reach$50 billion by 2030 [9][10] - The light electric vehicle market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.74% from 2023 to reach $206 billion by 2032 [10] - The company has expanded its market participation in the light electric vehicle segment, signing$20 million in customer contracts and two LOIs with Fortune 500 industrial leaders [11] Company Strategy and Industry Competition - The company's strategy focuses on innovating next-generation batteries, growing the customer base, and scaling manufacturing capabilities [36] - Amprius has secured over 500 MWh of additional manufacturing capacity and launched two dedicated production lines for its batteries, with a total capacity of 800 MWh for pouch cells and over 1 GWh for cylindrical cells annually [21][22] - The company is exploring additional manufacturing partners in Asia and Europe and has finalized the design for its Colorado facility [37] - Amprius' batteries are recognized as best-in-class for energy, power, cycle life, charging time, temperature performance, and safety, validated by increased customer purchasing volume [12][15] Management Commentary on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management is optimistic about the road ahead, citing technical leadership, strong battery performance, a growing customer base, and the capacity to support large volume orders [23] - The company expects to recognize $20 million in revenue from light electric vehicle contracts by mid-2025 [18][45] - Management believes the company is set up for sustainable growth, with a clear path to operational cash flow breakeven driven by the SiCore product line [42] Other Important Information - The company completed production line specifications and construction design drawings for its Colorado facility and remains on track from a regulatory standpoint [22] - Amprius exited Q3 2024 with$35 million in net cash and no debt, using $11.4 million in cash during the quarter, primarily for operating cash flow and facility build-out [31] - The company expects to spend an additional$1 million in Q4 2024 to complete the 2-megawatt production line in Fremont [32] Q&A Session Summary Question: Customer List and Potential for Large Orders - The company has concluded two significant customer contracts totaling 20 million and is in discussions with three other high-volume potential customers [40] Question: Path to Operational Cash Flow Breakeven - The SiCore product line is profitable from day one, and the company expects near-term revenue growth to come from SiCore, driving operational profitability [42] Question: Organizational Capacity and OpEx Investments - The company has made key hires in sales, business development, and R&D to support growth and drive faster cycles of learning [43] Question: Revenue Recognition Timeline for 20 Million Contracts - The company plans to recognize the $20 million in revenue by May 2025, with shipments already underway [45] Question: Customer Strategy and Gross Margin Targets - The company aims to focus on large customers with substantial volume orders, though no specific gross margin targets have been provided [46][47] Question: Potential Growth for$20 Million Contracts - The $20 million contracts are expected to satisfy customer needs until mid-2025, with potential for additional orders as demand grows [49] Question: Milestones for LOI in Electric Vehicle Space - The company is working on perfecting cell design and plans to deliver the first batch of samples to the customer, with factory inspections delayed to early 2025 [50][51] Question: Drivers of Increased Customer Receptivity - The primary drivers are the company's battery performance and the availability of manufacturing capacity and capability [54][55] Question: Customer Qualification Timelines - Qualification timelines vary by application, with the$20 million contract benefiting from a shorter certification process [58] Question: Impact of Colorado Facility Spending on Gross Margin - The $2.4 million spent on the Colorado facility in Q3 2024 is expected to ramp down, with minimal impact on Q4 gross margin [61][62] Question: Fremont Facility Capacity and CapEx - The company expects to enter 2025 with up to 2 megawatts of capacity at its Fremont facility, with an additional$1 million in CapEx planned for Q4 2024 [66][67]