“From a profitability perspective, our fourth quarter results reflect margin pressure associated with temporary launch-phase dynamics across projects in our Data Center & Critical Power and Commercial Vehicle end markets,” Reddy added. “We expect this margin pressure to persist in the near-term, ahead of initial Data Center & Critical Power program launches. As these programs ramp and volumes scale, we expect operating leverage and favorable mix to drive year-over-year profitability growth for full-year 2026.”
“Finally, we remain committed to disciplined capital allocation,” Reddy concluded. “With end market conditions still uneven, we are prioritizing debt reduction through free cash flow generation, supported by focused working capital management.”
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
Net sales increased by 10.7% on a year-over-year basis in the fourth quarter of 2025, due to the recent acquisition of Accu-Fab, accelerating growth in the Data Center & Critical Power end market, and increased organic volumes in the Construction & Access and Powersports end markets, partially offset by lower demand in Commercial Vehicle and Military end markets.
Manufacturing margin was $8.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2025, or 6.6% of net sales, versus $10.8 million, or 8.9% of net sales, in the prior year period. The year-over-year decrease in manufacturing margin was primarily attributable to $1.2 million of project launch costs within the Data Center & Critical Power end market, $1.7 million of early-stage project inefficiencies on a Commercial Vehicle project and lower capacity utilization due to softer demand in legacy end markets.
Profit sharing, bonus and deferred compensation expense was $1.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 as compared to $3.6 million in the prior year period. Other selling, general and administrative expenses were $9.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 as compared to $7.9 million for the same prior year period. The increase in these expenses primarily reflects $0.2 million in non-recurring costs and $1.1 million in incremental SG&A expense, each associated with the Accu-Fab acquisition.
Interest expense was $3.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2025, as compared to $2.0 million in the prior year period, due to increased borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility, partly offset by lower SOFR base rates relative to the prior year period.
Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2025 was $4.4 million, or ($0.22) per diluted share, versus net income of $16.0 million, or $0.76 per diluted share, in the prior year period. Net income in the fourth quarter of 2024 reflects $25.5 million, or $0.92 per diluted share, gain on a lawsuit associated with the settlement of the Company’s litigation with the former fitness customer.
MEC reported Adjusted EBITDA of $6.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2025, or 4.7% of net sales, versus $9.2 million, or 7.6% of net sales, in the prior year period. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA is primarily due to the early-stage project inefficiencies on a Commercial Vehicle project, new Data Center & Critical Power project launch costs, and lower customer demand, partially offset by the benefit of the Accu-Fab acquisition.
Fourth quarter Adjusted Net Loss was $1.4 million, or ($0.08) per diluted share, versus Adjusted Net Loss of $0.3 million, or ($0.01) per diluted share, in the prior year period. The increase in Adjusted Net Loss reflects lower income from operations, and higher interest expense.
Free cash flow during the fourth quarter of 2025 was $10.2 million as compared to $35.6 million in the prior year period. The decrease in cash flow was primarily attributable to the receipt of $25.5 million associated with the settlement of the Company’s litigation with the former fitness customer during the fourth quarter of 2024. When