Maxwell Technologies Posts Higher 4th Quarter Sales and Gross Margin

Maxwell Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: MXWL) today reported revenue of $23.5 million for its fourth quarter ended December 31, 2008, up 39 percent over the $17.0 million recorded in the same period in 2007. Operating loss for the fourth quarter 2008 was $1.3 million, compared with $2.6 million in the same period last year. Net income for Q408 was $1.4 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $1.1 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, in Q407. The net income/loss comparison is affected by a non-cash gain of $3.2 million, or $0.15 per share, in Q408, versus a non-cash gain of $2.3 million, or $0.12 per share, in Q407, reflecting a quarterly "mark-to-market" valuation of conversion features and warrants associated with convertible debentures issued in 2005.

Q408 BOOSTCAP(R) ultracapacitor revenue increased by 69 percent to $9.0 million, compared with $5.3 million for the same period last year. High voltage capacitor and microelectronics products also generated strong sales growth, combining for Q408 revenue of $14.5 million, up 25 percent from the $11.7 million recorded in Q407.

"Worldwide demand for greener, more efficient and reliable energy storage solutions continues to drive ultracapacitor sales growth," said David Schramm, Maxwell's president and chief executive officer. "Wind turbine blade pitch mechanisms and braking energy recuperation systems for low-emission hybrid transit buses and energy-efficient electric rail vehicles accounted for the majority of our 2008 ultracapacitor sales, and higher volumes helped us to improve operating results.

"It is difficult to predict how global economic conditions might affect our business in the coming months, but so far many key markets for our products, such as utility infrastructure, renewable energy, public transportation and space programs have been relatively stable, and some appear likely to benefit from government stimulus programs," Schramm added. "Q109 revenue is on pace to come in well above last year's first quarter, so we are off to a good start, and we believe that our ongoing efficiency and cost-reduction programs will enable us to continue to improve operating performance."

Other significant recent developments include:

    --  An order from Vanner Inc., a manufacturer of electrical power conversion
        products, for multi-cell BOOSTCAP ultracapacitor modules for a retrofit
        diesel engine starter system that Vanner is installing in Chicago
        transit buses.
    --  An order from a contractor for the Korean federal government for
        BOOSTCAP ultracapacitor modules to outfit a high-efficiency braking
        energy recuperation system designed to reduce grid power consumption and
        improve network stability in Korea's subway system.

 

Q408 gross margin was 41 percent, compared with 29 percent in Q407, and 30 percent in Q308. Q408 gross margin was positively impacted by several nonrecurring items including a $500,000 forfeited deposit for the purchase of some manufacturing equipment and $500,000 of reimbursed R&D expenses. Operating expenses totaled approximately $10.8 million, or 46 percent of revenue in Q408, compared with $7.5 million, or 44 percent of revenue in Q407, and $10.1 million, or 46 percent of revenue in Q308. Cash and restricted cash totaled $20.6 million as of December 31, 2008, compared with $21.6 million as of September 30, 2008. The company raised approximately $1.9 million, net of fees, through the sale of 390,400 shares of common stock at an average price of $4.96, under its Equity Distribution Program. Complete financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations will be available with the filing of the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

 

Management will conduct a conference call and simultaneous webcast to discuss fourth quarter financial results and the outlook for 2009 at 5 p.m. (EST) today. The call may be accessed by dialing toll-free, (800) 862-9098 from the U.S. and Canada, or (785) 424-1051 for international callers. The live webcast may be accessed via the following link: http://www.maxwell.com/investors/investor-calendar.asp. Subsequent replay may be accessed at the company's Presentation Archive via the following link: http://www.maxwell.com/investors/presentations.asp

 

Maxwell is a leading developer and manufacturer of innovative, cost-effective energy storage and power delivery solutions. Our BOOSTCAP(R) ultracapacitor cells and multi-cell modules provide safe and reliable power solutions for applications in consumer and industrial electronics, transportation and telecommunications. Our CONDIS(R) high-voltage grading and coupling capacitors help to ensure the safety and reliability of electric utility infrastructure and other applications involving transport, distribution and measurement of high-voltage electrical energy. Our radiation-mitigated microelectronic products include power modules, memory modules and single board computers that incorporate powerful commercial silicon for superior performance and high reliability in aerospace applications.

 

Forward-Looking Statements - Statements in this news release that are "forward-looking statements" are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially because of factors such as:

 

    --  the company's history of losses and uncertainty about its ability
        to achieve or maintain profitability, or to obtain sufficient capital to
        finance its operations;
    --  recent disruption of global financial markets and reduced availability
        of credit;
    --  general economic conditions in the markets served by the company's
        products;
    --  development and acceptance of products based on new technologies;
    --  demand for original equipment manufacturers' products reaching
        anticipated levels;
    --  cost-effective manufacturing and the success of outsourced product
        assembly;
    --  the impact of competitive products and pricing;
    --  risks and uncertainties involved in foreign operations, including the
        impact of currency fluctuations;
    --  product liability or warranty claims in excess of reserves.

 

 

 

For further information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with Maxwell's business, please refer to the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors" sections of our SEC filings, including, but not limited to, our annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, copies of which may be obtained by contacting Maxwell's investor relations department at (858) 503-3434 or at our investor relations website: http://www.maxwell.com/investors/sec-filing.asp. All information in this release is as of February 19, 2009. The company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to reflect actual results or changes in the company's expectations.

 



              MAXWELL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                 (in thousands, except per share data)

                           Three Months Ended     Years Ended
                              December 31,        December 31,
                            ----------------     -------------
                              2008     2007      2008      2007
                              ----     ----      ----      ----

    Revenues:
      Sales                 $22,988  $15,788   $80,217   $54,876
      License fee and
       service revenue          511    1,177     1,980     2,485
                                ---    -----     -----     -----
        Total revenues       23,499   16,965    82,197    57,361
    Cost of sales            13,915   12,065    55,342    43,010
                             ------   ------    ------    ------
    Gross profit              9,584    4,900    26,855    14,351
    Operating expenses:
      Selling, general
       and administrative     6,699    4,686    23,886    18,887
      Research and
       development            4,051    2,715    14,847    11,263
      Amortization of
       intangibles               94       76       364       224
      Loss on sale of
       equipment                  -       11         -        63
        Total operating
         expenses            10,844    7,488    39,097    30,437
                             ------    -----    ------    ------
    Loss from operations     (1,260)  (2,588)  (12,242)  (16,086)
    Interest expense, net       (82)    (140)     (481)   (1,064)
    Amortization of debt
     discount and
     prepaid
     debt costs                (466)    (855)   (2,388)   (3,567)
    Gain on embedded
     derivatives and
     warrants                 3,188    2,335     1,217     4,528
    Other income
     (expense), net            (685)      99    (1,140)      521
                               ----       --    ------       ---
    Income (loss) before
     income taxes               695   (1,149)  (15,034)  (15,668)
    Income tax provision
     (benefit)                 (738)     (43)     (226)        65
                               ----      ---       ---        --
        Net income (loss)    $1,433  $(1,106) $(14,808) $(15,733)
                               ====  =======  ========  ========

    Net income (loss)
     per common share:
      Basic net income
       (loss) per share       $0.08   $(0.04)   $(0.71)   $(0.86)
                              =====   ======    ======    ======
      Diluted net income
       (loss) per share       $0.07   $(0.04)   $(0.71)   $(0.86)
                              =====   ======    ======    ======

    Weighted average
     shares:
      Basic                  21,581   19,801    20,819    18,285
                             ======   ======    ======    ======
      Diluted                22,174   19,801    20,819    18,285
                             ======   ======    ======    ======



                  MAXWELL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                     (in thousands, except per share data)

                                                  December 31,  December 31,
                                                     2008          2007
                                                     ----          ----
    ASSETS
    Current assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents                    $12,576       $14,579
      Restricted cash                                8,000             -
      Investments in marketable securities               -         7,635
      Trade and other accounts
       receivable, net                              14,107        13,933
      Inventories, net                              18,502        14,717
      Prepaid expenses and other current
       assets                                        1,645         1,657
                                                     -----         -----
        Total current assets                        54,830        52,521
    Property and equipment, net                     17,355        14,636
    Intangible assets, net                           3,755         3,154
    Goodwill                                        22,408        21,183
    Prepaid pension asset                            2,592         8,369
    Restricted cash                                      -         8,000
    Other non-current assets                         1,373           417
                                                       ---           ---
        Total assets                              $102,313      $108,280
                                                  ========      ========

    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current liabilities:
      Accounts payable and accrued
       liabilities                                 $12,592        $9,516
      Accrued warranty                                 905           768
      Accrued employee compensation                  4,353         2,885
      Short-term borrowings and current
       portion of long-term debt                    18,888        16,472
      Deferred tax liability                           456           378
                                                       ---           ---
        Total current liabilities                   37,194        30,019
    Deferred tax liability, long-term                    -         1,493
    Convertible debenture and long-term
     debt, excluding current portion                   582        13,544
    Stock warrants                                     318           577
    Other long-term liabilities                        972           535
                                                       ---           ---
        Total liabilities                           39,066        46,168
                                                    ------        ------
    Commitments and contingencies
    Stockholders' equity:
        Common stock, $0.10 par
         value per share, 40,000
         shares authorized;
         22,521 and 20,417 shares
         issued and outstanding
         at December 31, 2008 and
         2007, respectively                          2,253         2,042
      Additional paid-in capital                   192,228       172,899
      Accumulated deficit                         (134,902)     (120,094)
      Accumulated other comprehensive
       income                                        3,668         7,265
                                                     -----         -----
        Total stockholders' equity                  63,247        62,112
                                                    ------        ------
        Total liabilities and stockholders'
         equity                                   $102,313      $108,280
                                                  ========      ========

 

 

 

SOURCE Maxwell Technologies, Inc.