NEWARK, N.Y., April 28, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ultralife Corporation (NASDAQ:ULBI) reported operating income of $0.5 million on revenue of $20.8 million for the first quarter ended March 27, 2016.  For the first quarter of 2015, the Company reported operating income of $0.8 million on revenue of $19.2 million.  Included in results for the first quarter of 2016 is $0.3 million of non-recurring costs and purchase accounting adjustments related to the acquisition of Accutronics Ltd., which the Company completed on January 13, 2016.   

"During the first quarter, we achieved bottom-line profitability for the sixth consecutive quarter while absorbing direct costs and customary accounting adjustments related to the acquisition of Accutronics, and start-up costs associated with the Vehicle Installed Power Enhanced Riflemen Appliqué  ("VIPER") Program.  Although our year-over-year revenue comparison was impacted by variability in the timing of order fulfillment, we held to our business model parameters, generating gross margin of 30.7%, continued to invest in new product development and further extended our pipeline for orders from both government/defense and commercial customers," said Michael D. Popielec.  "As a result, we remain well positioned to deliver profitable growth in 2016 now boosted by our acquisition of Accutronics."

First Quarter 2016 Financial Results

Revenue was $20.8 million, an increase of $1.7 million, or 9%, compared to $19.2 million for the first quarter of 2015 reflecting the addition of Accutronics and higher Communications Systems sales.  Battery & Energy Products sales were $16.4 million compared to $16.3 million last year, reflecting the contribution of $2.5 million of Accutronics sales which offset the revenue from a large 9-Volt and a large charger order in the first quarter of 2015.  Communications Systems sales grew 51% to $4.4 million compared to $2.9 million for the same period last year as a result of shipments under the VIPER Program.

Gross profit was $6.4 million, or 30.7% of revenue, compared to $6.0 million, or 31.3% of revenue, for the same quarter a year ago.  Battery & Energy Products' gross margin was 31.7%, compared to 29.4% last year, an increase of 230 basis points reflecting favorable product mix.  Included in Battery & Energy Products' gross margin was a negative 55 basis point impact of purchase accounting adjustments related to the acquisition of Accutronics.   Communications Systems' gross margin declined to 27.0% compared to 42.2% for the prior year primarily due to sales mix.        

Operating expenses were $5.9 million compared to $5.2 million last year reflecting the addition of Accutronics and increased spending on new product development in response to a higher level of proposal activity, partially offset by tight control over discretionary spending.  Included in operating expenses was $0.2 million of non-recurring expenses related to the acquisition of Accutronics.  Operating expenses were 28.4% of revenue compared to 27.0% of revenue for the year earlier period.  

Operating income was $0.5 million compared to $0.8 million last year.  Operating income for the 2016 period includes purchase accounting adjustments and one-time expenses related to the acquisition of Accutronics of $0.3 million equivalent to $0.02 per share.  Including these non-recurring adjustments and expenses, net income was $0.3 million, or $0.02 per share, compared to $0.5 million, or $0.03 per share, for the first quarter of 2015.

About Ultralife Corporation

Ultralife Corporation serves its markets with products and services ranging from power solutions to communications and electronics systems. Through its engineering and collaborative approach to problem solving, Ultralife serves government, defense and commercial customers across the globe.

Headquartered in Newark, New York, the Company's business segments include Battery & Energy Products and Communications Systems. Ultralife has operations in North America, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.ultralifecorp.com.

Conference Call Information

Ultralife will hold its first quarter earnings conference call today at 10:00 AM ET. To participate in the live call, please dial (800) 915-4836 at least ten minutes before the scheduled start time, identify yourself and ask for the Ultralife call. A live webcast of the conference call will be available to investors in the Events & Presentations section of the Company's website at http://investor.ultralifecorporation.com. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, a replay of the webcast will be available shortly after the call at the same location.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on current expectations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially include:  potential reductions in U.S. military spending, uncertain global economic conditions and acceptance of our new products on a global basis. The Company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company's analysis only as of today's date. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.  Further information on these factors and other factors that could affect Ultralife's financial results is included in Ultralife's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including the latest Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

Company Contact:
Ultralife Corporation
Philip A. Fain
(315) 210-6110
pfain@ulbi.com

Investor Relations Contact:
LHA
Jody Burfening
(212) 838-3777
jburfening@lhai.com