Nortech Systems Reports Fourth Quarter Results

/EIN News/ -- MINNEAPOLIS, March 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nortech Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq: NSYS) (“Nortech” or the “Company”), a leading provider of engineering and manufacturing solutions for complex electromedical and electromechanical products serving the medical, industrial and defense markets, reported financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024.

2024 Q4 Highlights:

	●	Net sales of $28.6 million
	●	Net loss of ($1.5) million, or ($0.54) per diluted share
	●	Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA”) of ($585) thousand loss
	●	90-day backlog of $26.5 million as of December 31, 2024

Management Commentary

“Fourth quarter net sales were unexpectedly impacted by the timing of our defense customers’ approvals for transfers from our closed Blue Earth facility to our Bemidji plant. This unforeseen delay includes additional protocols and requirements that we must complete before receiving customer approval for these transfers. We anticipate clearing the majority of this approval backlog during the second quarter of 2025,” said Jay D. Miller, President and CEO of Nortech. “Despite this short-term challenge, we remain very optimistic about the long-term prospects of our business.”

“We have just completed a significant restructuring of our back office and plant operations to better serve our customers by delivering high-quality products and services on-time with shorter lead times,” Miller noted. “We are incredibly proud of the resiliency and dedication demonstrated by our team throughout the third and fourth quarters of 2024. Their hard work and adaptability have enabled us to consolidate the Company’s North American footprint and move customer programs to manufacturing locations that better fit our customers’ needs. These strategic moves are designed to better scale the business, improve efficiency, and reduce our ongoing cost structure. Our investments in research and development, particularly in fiber optics technologies, and our commitment to continuous improvement, position us well for long-term growth and success. We are also proactively monitoring the shifting regulatory environment, trade policies and uncertainties in the current geopolitical environment, which may significantly impact our global business operations.”

Summary Financial Information

The following table provides summary financial information comparing the fourth quarter 2024 (“Q4 2024”) financial results to the same quarter in 2023 (“Q4 2023”) as well as the year ended December 31, 2024 (“2024”) information to the same period in 2023 (“2023”).

($ in thousands)		Q4 2024				Q4 2023				% Change				2024				2023				% Change
Net sales		$	28,620			$	36,054				(20.6	)%		$	128,133			$	139,332				(8.0	)%
Gross profit		$	2,822			$	6,827				(58.7	)%		$	16,722			$	23,104				(27.6	)%
Operating expenses		$	4,049			$	4,150				(2.4	)%		$	16,917			$	17,151				(1.4	)%
Net (loss) income		$	(1,478	)		$	4,352				(134.0	)%		$	(1,295	)		$	6,874				(118.8	)%
EBITDA		$	(889	)		$	3,188				(127.9	)%		$	1,543			$	8,003				(80.7	)%
Adjusted EBITDA		$	(585	)		$	3,188				(118.4	)%		$	2,114			$	8,003				(73.6	)%

Conference Call

The Company will hold a live conference call and webcast at 3:30 p.m. central time on Monday, March 31, to discuss the Company’s 2024 fourth quarter results. The call will be hosted by Jay D. Miller, Chief Executive Officer and President and Andrew D. C. LaFrence, Chief Financial Officer. To access the live audio conference call, US participants may call 888-506-0062 and international participants may call 973-528-0011. Participant Access Code: 277848. Participants may also access the call via webcast at: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2814/51665.

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About Nortech Systems Incorporated

Nortech Systems is a leading provider of design and manufacturing solutions for complex electromedical devices, electromechanical systems, assemblies, and components. Nortech primarily serves the medical imaging, medical device, aerospace & defense, and industrial markets. Its design services span concept development to commercial design, and include medical device, software, electrical, mechanical, and biomedical engineering. Its manufacturing and supply chain capabilities are vertically integrated around wire, cable, and interconnect assemblies, printed circuit board assemblies, as well as system-level assembly, integration, and final test. Headquartered in Maple Grove, Minn., Nortech currently has six manufacturing locations and design centers across the U.S., Latin America, and Asia. Nortech Systems is traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol NSYS. Nortech’s website is www.nortechsys.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including without limitation statements regarding future financial results, gaining approval of customers relating to moving production from one facility to another Company-owned facility, strengthening of customer relationships, achieving long-term strategic goals, effects of restructuring and consolidating manufacturing facilities, sustained long-term health and growth, ability to scale our business, reducing cost structure and optimism about customer pipeline. While this release is based on management’s best judgment and current expectations, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, without limitation: (1) commodity cost increases coupled with challenges in raising prices and/or customer pressure to reduce prices; (2) supply chain disruptions leading to shortages of critical components; (3) volatility in market conditions which may affect demand for the Company’s products; (4) increased competition and/or reduced demand; (5) changes in the reliability and efficiency of operating facilities or those of third parties; (6) risks related to the availability of labor; (7) the unanticipated loss of any key member of senior management; (8) geopolitical, economic, financial and business conditions; (9) the Company’s ability to steadily improve manufacturing output and product quality; (10) the impact of global health epidemics on our customers, employees, manufacturing facilities, suppliers, the capital markets and our financial condition; or (11) challenges with customers with respect to moving production from one facility to another Company-owned facility. Some of the above-mentioned factors are described in further detail in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our annual and quarterly reports, as applicable. You should assume the information appearing in this document is accurate only as of the date hereof, or as otherwise specified, as our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since such date. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States and the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, to reflect actual results or changes in factors or assumptions affecting such forward-looking statements.

Reconciliation of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) Measures to Non-GAAP Financial Measure

EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure used by management that we believe provides useful information to investors because it reflects ongoing performance excluding certain non-recurring items during comparable periods and facilitates comparisons between peer companies since interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization can differ greatly between different organizations as a result of differing capital structures and tax strategies. EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) plus interest expense, plus income tax expense plus depreciation expense and amortization expense. EBITDA should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA reflects the impact of restructuring and non-recurring items. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not a measurement of our financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered an alternative to net sales or net income, as applicable, or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other businesses. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have limitations as an analytical metric, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our operating results as reported under GAAP.

NORTECH SYSTEMS INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

		THREE MONTHS ENDED								TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
		DECEMBER 31,								DECEMBER 31,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Net sales		$	28,620			$	36,054			$	128,133			$	139,332
Cost of goods sold			25,798				29,227				111,411				116,228
Gross profit			2,822				6,827				16,722				23,104
Operating expenses
Selling			841				832				3,446				3,598
General and administrative			2,606				3,026				11,709				12,354
Research and development			298				292				1,191				1,199
Restructuring charges			304				-				571				-
Total operating expenses			4,049				4,150				16,917				17,151
(Loss) income from operations			(1,227	)			2,677				(195	)			5,953
Other expense
Interest expense			(196	)			(122	)			(744	)			(487	)
(Loss) income before income taxes			(1,423	)			2,555				(939	)			5,466
Income tax expense (benefit)			55				(1,797	)			356				(1,408	)
Net (loss) income		$	(1,478	)		$	4,352			$	(1,295	)		$	6,874
Net (loss) income per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)		$	(0.54	)		$	1.59			$	(0.47	)		$	2.53
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)			2,756,943				2,739,848				2,755,041				2,722,135
Diluted (in dollars per share)		$	(0.54	)		$	1.51			$	(0.47	)		$	2.38
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)			2,756,943				2,879,654				2,755,041				2,885,879
Other comprehensive (loss) income
Foreign currency translation			(310	)			156				(445	)			(162	)
Comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax		$	(1,788	)		$	4,508			$	(1,740	)		$	6,712

NORTECH SYSTEMS INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND DECEMBER 31, 2023
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

		DECEMBER 31, 2024				DECEMBER 31, 2023
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash		$	916			$	960
Restricted cash			-				715
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $196 and $358			14,875				19,279
Inventories, net			21,638				21,660
Contract assets			13,792				14,481
Prepaid assets and other assets			4,094				1,698
Total current assets			55,315				58,793
Property and equipment, net			6,232				6,513
Operating lease assets			8,139				6,917
Deferred tax assets			2,575				2,641
Other intangible assets, net			174				263
Total assets		$	72,435			$	75,127
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	11,582			$	15,924
Accrued payroll and commissions			1,841				4,138
Customer deposits			5,140				4,068
Current portion of operating leases			1,175				1,033
Current portion of finance lease obligations			143				356
Other accrued liabilities			1,547				1,063
Total current liabilities			21,428				26,582
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term line of credit			8,634				5,815
Long-term operating lease obligations, net of current portion			7,773				6,763
Long-term finance lease obligations, net of current portion			311				209
Other long-term liabilities			284				414
Total long-term liabilities			17,002				13,201
Total liabilities			38,430				39,783
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $1 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; 250,000 shares issued and outstanding			250				250
Common stock - $0.01 par value; 9,000,000 shares authorized; 2,760,793 and 2,740,178 shares issued and outstanding, respectively			28				27
Additional paid-in capital			17,329				16,929
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(977	)			(532	)
Retained earnings			17,375				18,670
Total shareholders’ equity			34,005				35,344
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	72,435			$	75,127

NORTECH SYSTEMS INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)

		DECEMBER 31,
		2024				2023
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net (loss) income		$	(1,295	)		$	6,874
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation			1,649				1,891
Amortization			89				159
Compensation on stock-based awards			461				423
Deferred taxes			(12	)			(2,362	)
Change in accounts receivable allowances			(162	)			24
Change in inventory reserves			280				26
Gain on disposal of property and equipment			(23	)			-
Changes in current operating items
Accounts receivable			4,405				(3,432	)
Employee retention credit receivable			-				2,650
Inventories			(400	)			716
Contract assets			689				(4,514	)
Prepaid expenses			(2,049	)			(147	)
Income taxes			(333	)			(832	)
Accounts payable			(3,956	)			483
Accrued payroll and commissions			(2,289	)			(661	)
Customer deposits			1,071				553
Other accrued liabilities			(375	)			(82	)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities			(2,250	)			1,769
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment			7				-
Purchases of property and equipment			(1,270	)			(1,284	)
Net cash used in investing activities			(1,263	)			(1,284	)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from line of credit			129,793				124,552
Payments to line of credit			(126,944	)			(125,602	)
Proceeds from notes payable			345				-
Principal payments on financing leases			(367	)			(390	)
Share repurchases			(100	)			-
Stock option exercises			38				159
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			2,765				(1,281	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash			(11	)			(10	)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents			(759	)			(806	)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year			1,675				2,481
Cash and cash equivalents - end of year		$	916			$	1,675
Reconciliation of cash and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheets:
Cash		$	916			$	960
Restricted cash			-				715
Total cash and restricted cash reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows		$	916			$	1,675

		THREE MONTHS ENDED December 31,								TWELVE MONTHS ENDED December 31,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
RECONCILIATION OF NET (LOSS) INCOME TO EBITDA
($ in thousands)
Net (loss) income		$	(1,478	)		$	4,352			$	(1,295	)		$	6,874
Interest			196				122				744				487
Taxes			55				(1,797	)			356				(1,408	)
Depreciation			333				471				1,649				1,891
Amortization			5				40				89				159
EBITDA			(889	)			3,188				1,543				8,003
Restructuring charges			304				-				571				-
ADJUSTED EBITDA		$	(585	)		$	3,188			$	2,114			$	8,003

There were no material adjustments to EBITDA in 2023.

Adjustment to EBITDA in 2024 includes ($ in thousands):

●

In the second quarter of 2024, we announced the closure of our Blue Earth, Minnesota facility by the end of 2024. In connection with this action, we incurred $304 thousand and $571 thousand of retention bonus and other expenses in the quarter and year ended December 31, 2024, respectively, which expense amount is not included in Adjusted EBITDA.

($ in millions)		Last Twelve Months (LTM) Ended in Quarter
		Q4 2021				Q1 2022				Q2 2022				Q3 2022				Q4 2022				Q1 2023				Q2 2023				Q3 2023				Q4 2023				Q1 2024				Q2 2024				Q3 2024				Q4 2024
Net Sales		$	115.2			$	123.8			$	126.1			$	132.0			$	134.1			$	138.3			$	140.8			$	138.9			$	139.3			$	138.7			$	137.5			$	135.6			$	128.1
Gross Profit $ - Adjusted			11.2				13.7				15.1				18.1				20.5				21.9				22.4				21.4				23.1				23.1				22.2				20.7				16.7
Gross Margin % - Adjusted			9.7	%			11.0	%			12.0	%			13.7	%			15.3	%			15.8	%			15.9	%			15.4	%			16.6	%			16.6	%			16.1	%			14.9	%			13.1	%
EBITDA - Adjusted		$	(0.2	)		$	1.9			$	2.5			$	4.2			$	5.8			$	6.7			$	6.8			$	6.0			$	8.0			$	8.1			$	7.3			$	5.9			$	2.1

Contact

Andrew D. C. LaFrence
Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Finance
alafrence@nortechsys.com
952-345-2243