Nortech Systems Reports First Quarter Results
- Two new patents issued in fiber optic technologies in the past year
- Strategic consolidation to improve efficiency and reduce cost structure
- Well-positioned for near-shoring opportunities in response to customer supply chain needs
- Maintained solid backlog of $26.7 million
- Net sales decreased 21.4% year-over-year to $26.9 million
- Reported net loss of $1.3 million compared to $765,000 profit last year
- Gross profit declined 43.5% year-over-year
- Operating expenses increased 9.3% despite lower sales
- Delays in defense customers' approvals for facility transfers
Insights
Nortech reported significant declines across all financial metrics, with restructuring efforts still underway amid challenging operational transitions.
Nortech Systems' Q1 2025 results reveal substantial financial deterioration compared to the same period last year. Revenue dropped
The financial deterioration extends across all key metrics. Gross profit plummeted
Management attributes these disappointing results to production transfers from their closed Blue Earth facility to their Bemidji plant, which have been delayed due to pending defense customer approvals. They expect to clear this approval backlog in Q2 2025, which may provide some operational relief.
The company's 90-day backlog stands at
Notably, Nortech recorded
MINNEAPOLIS, May 14, 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 imaging, medical device, industrial and aerospace & defense markets, reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.
2025 Q1 Highlights:
| ● | Net sales of | |
| ● | Net loss of ( | |
| ● | Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA”) of ( | |
| ● | 90-day backlog of | |
Management Commentary
“Over the past few quarters, we have successfully transitioned and stabilized our business, allowing for smoother operational flow and setting a solid foundation for future growth. Nortech has taken steps to consolidate our operations to focus on driving profitability and growth within our core market segments. These strategic moves are designed to better scale the business, improve efficiency, and reduce our ongoing cost structure.” said Jay D. Miller, President and CEO. “We made tough decisions that have depressed our short-term revenues and EBITDA but have strategically positioned the Company for long-term growth and innovation specifically in the aerospace & defense and medical imaging markets.”
“The Company experienced delays in our defense customers’ approvals for transfers from our closed Blue Earth facility to our Bemidji plant, and those transfers continue to progress steadily. We continue to anticipate clearing the majority of this approval backlog during the second quarter of 2025. Additionally, our research and development programs, particularly in fiber optic technologies, reflect our commitment to provide customers with technologies that are lighter, faster and more sustainable. This commitment has been evident by the issuance of two new patents in the past year,” Miller added.
“We continue to be impressed by the dedication and collaboration demonstrated by our employees across all locations to do the hard work necessary to achieve our goals. The team’s unwavering commitment enables us to overcome challenges and embrace innovation,” Miller said.
“We’re also closely following changes in regulations, trade policies, and geopolitical factors for potential impacts in our key market segments. We believe the strategic repositioning of our global operations in the past year has further strengthened the Company’s ability to respond to our customers’ needs to near-shore their supply chains. We are well-prepared to shift production closer to key markets, improving efficiency and strengthening our ability to handle global challenges and uncertainties.”
Summary Financial Information
The following table provides summary financial information comparing the first quarter 2025 (“Q1 2025”) financial results to the same quarter in 2024 (“Q1 2024”).
| ($ in thousands) | Q1 2025 | Q1 2024 | % Change | |||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 26,895 | $ | 34,215 | (21.4 | )% | ||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 3,078 | $ | 5,448 | (43.5 | )% | ||||||
| Operating expenses | $ | 4,691 | $ | 4,293 | 9.3 | % | ||||||
| Net (loss) income | $ | (1,316 | ) | $ | 765 | (272.0 | )% | |||||
| EBITDA | $ | (1,266 | ) | $ | 1,637 | (177.3 | )% | |||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (1,000 | ) | $ | 1,637 | (161.1 | )% | |||||
Conference Call
The Company will hold a live conference call and webcast at 3:30 p.m. central time on Wednesday, May 14, to discuss the Company’s 2025 first 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: 830813. Participants may also access the call via webcast at: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2814/52260.
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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 (loss), 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
(UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
| THREE MONTHS ENDED | ||||||||
| MARCH 31, | ||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| Net sales | $ | 26,895 | $ | 34,215 | ||||
| Cost of goods sold | 23,817 | 28,767 | ||||||
| Gross profit | 3,078 | 5,448 | ||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||
| Selling | 1,184 | 805 | ||||||
| General and administrative | 2,915 | 3,170 | ||||||
| Research and development | 326 | 318 | ||||||
| Restructuring charges | 266 | - | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | 4,691 | 4,293 | ||||||
| (Loss) income from operations | (1,613 | ) | 1,155 | |||||
| Other expense | ||||||||
| Interest expense | (214 | ) | (167 | ) | ||||
| (Loss) income before income taxes | (1,827 | ) | 988 | |||||
| Income tax (benefit) expense | (511 | ) | 223 | |||||
| Net (loss) income | $ | (1,316 | ) | $ | 765 | |||
| Net (loss) income per common share: | ||||||||
| Basic (in dollars per share) | $ | (0.48 | ) | $ | 0.28 | |||
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic (in shares) | 2,760,929 | 2,742,511 | ||||||
| Diluted (in dollars per share) | $ | (0.48 | ) | $ | 0.26 | |||
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares) | 2,760,929 | 2,908,457 | ||||||
| Other comprehensive (loss) income | ||||||||
| Foreign currency translation | 6 | (183 | ) | |||||
| Comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax | $ | (1,310 | ) | $ | 582 | |||
NORTECH SYSTEMS INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF MARCH 31, 2025 AND DECEMBER 31, 2024
(UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
| MARCH 31, 2025 | DECEMBER 31, 2024 | |||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash | $ | 1,162 | $ | 916 | ||||
| Accounts receivable, less allowances of | 15,668 | 14,875 | ||||||
| Inventories, net | 20,910 | 21,638 | ||||||
| Contract assets | 13,404 | 13,792 | ||||||
| Assets held for sale | 507 | - | ||||||
| Prepaid assets and other assets | 5,673 | 4,094 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 57,324 | 55,315 | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 5,575 | 6,232 | ||||||
| Operating lease assets, net | 7,831 | 8,139 | ||||||
| Deferred tax assets | 2,575 | 2,575 | ||||||
| Other intangible assets, net | 169 | 174 | ||||||
| Other assets | 59 | - | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 73,533 | $ | 72,435 | ||||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 10,062 | $ | 11,582 | ||||
| Accrued payroll and commissions | 2,515 | 1,841 | ||||||
| Customer deposits | 5,028 | 5,140 | ||||||
| Current portion of operating leases | 1,187 | 1,175 | ||||||
| Current portion of finance lease obligations | 121 | 143 | ||||||
| Notes payable | 563 | 344 | ||||||
| Other accrued liabilities | 1,240 | 1,203 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 20,716 | 21,428 | ||||||
| Long-term liabilities: | ||||||||
| Long-term line of credit | 11,955 | 8,634 | ||||||
| Long-term operating lease obligations, net of current portion | 7,462 | 7,773 | ||||||
| Long-term finance lease obligations, net of current portion | 281 | 311 | ||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | 287 | 284 | ||||||
| Total long-term liabilities | 19,985 | 17,002 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 40,701 | 38,430 | ||||||
| Shareholders’ equity: | ||||||||
| Preferred stock, | 250 | 250 | ||||||
| Common stock - | 28 | 28 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 17,466 | 17,329 | ||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (971 | ) | (977 | ) | ||||
| Retained earnings | 16,059 | 17,375 | ||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | 32,832 | 34,005 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 73,533 | $ | 72,435 | ||||
NORTECH SYSTEMS INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS)
| THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, | ||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
| Net (loss) income | $ | (1,316 | ) | $ | 765 | |||
| Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities: | ||||||||
| Depreciation | 342 | 442 | ||||||
| Amortization | 5 | 40 | ||||||
| Compensation on stock-based awards | 118 | 80 | ||||||
| Change in accounts receivable allowances | 35 | (66 | ) | |||||
| Change in inventory reserves | 231 | 76 | ||||||
| Other, net | - | (4 | ) | |||||
| Changes in current operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable | (814 | ) | 3,215 | |||||
| Inventories | 487 | (1,400 | ) | |||||
| Contract assets | 388 | 287 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | (1,588 | ) | (328 | ) | ||||
| Accounts payable | (1,441 | ) | (8 | ) | ||||
| Accrued payroll and commissions | 674 | 640 | ||||||
| Customer deposits | (112 | ) | (926 | ) | ||||
| Other accrued liabilities | 61 | 15 | ||||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | (2,930 | ) | 2,828 | |||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of property and equipment | - | 9 | ||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment | (268 | ) | (744 | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (268 | ) | (735 | ) | ||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
| Proceeds from line of credit | 25,970 | 32,768 | ||||||
| Payments to line of credit | (22,710 | ) | (32,394 | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from notes payable | 219 | - | ||||||
| Principal payments on financing leases | (52 | ) | (100 | ) | ||||
| Stock option exercises | 19 | - | ||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 3,446 | 274 | ||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | (2 | ) | (14 | ) | ||||
| Net change in cash | 246 | 2,353 | ||||||
| Cash - beginning of period | 916 | 1,675 | ||||||
| Cash - end of period | $ | 1,162 | $ | 4,028 | ||||
| THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, | ||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| RECONCILIATION OF NET (LOSS) INCOME TO EBITDA | ||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | ||||||||
| Net (loss) income | $ | (1,316 | ) | $ | 765 | |||
| Interest | 214 | 167 | ||||||
| Taxes | (511 | ) | 223 | |||||
| Depreciation | 342 | 442 | ||||||
| Amortization | 5 | 40 | ||||||
| EBITDA | (1,266 | ) | 1,637 | |||||
| Restructuring charges | 266 | - | ||||||
| ADJUSTED EBITDA | $ | (1,000 | ) | $ | 1,637 | |||
There were no material adjustments to EBITDA in the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
Adjustment to EBITDA in the quarter ended March 31, 2025 includes ($ in thousands):
| ● | In the second quarter of 2024, we announced the closure of our Blue Earth, Minnesota facility. In connection with activities related to the Blue Earth facility and additional staff reductions in the first quarter of 2025, we incurred |
| ($ in millions) | Last Twelve Months (LTM) Ended in Quarter | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q1 2022 | Q2 2022 | Q3 2022 | Q4 2022 | Q1 2023 | Q2 2023 | Q3 2023 | Q4 2023 | Q1 2024 | Q2 2024 | Q3 2024 | Q4 2024 | Q1 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net Sales | $ | 123.8 | $ | 126.1 | $ | 132.0 | $ | 134.1 | $ | 138.3 | $ | 140.8 | $ | 138.9 | $ | 139.3 | $ | 138.7 | $ | 137.5 | $ | 135.6 | $ | 128.1 | $ | 120.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross Profit $ - Adjusted | 13.7 | 15.1 | 18.1 | 20.5 | 21.9 | 22.4 | 21.4 | 23.1 | 23.1 | 22.2 | 20.7 | 16.7 | 14.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross Margin % - Adjusted | 11.0 | % | 12.0 | % | 13.7 | % | 15.3 | % | 15.8 | % | 15.9 | % | 15.4 | % | 16.6 | % | 16.6 | % | 16.1 | % | 14.9 | % | 13.1 | % | 11.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| EBITDA - Adjusted | $ | 1.9 | $ | 2.5 | $ | 4.2 | $ | 5.8 | $ | 6.7 | $ | 6.8 | $ | 6.0 | $ | 8.0 | $ | 8.1 | $ | 7.3 | $ | 5.9 | $ | 2.1 | $ | (0.5 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contact
Andrew D. C. LaFrence
Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Finance
alafrence@nortechsys.com
952-345-2243
FAQ
What were Nortech Systems (NSYS) Q1 2025 earnings results?
Why did Nortech Systems (NSYS) revenue decline in Q1 2025?
What is Nortech Systems' (NSYS) current backlog as of Q1 2025?
What strategic initiatives is Nortech Systems (NSYS) implementing?
When does Nortech Systems (NSYS) expect to resolve its facility transfer delays?
