NEWARK, N.Y., Aug. 1, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ultralife Corporation (Nasdaq:ULBI) reported an operating loss from continuing operations of $1.9 million on revenue of $17.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2013. For the second quarter of 2012, the company reported an operating loss from continuing operations of $2.9 million on revenue of $18.7 million.

"Delays in closing several funded projects resulted in Communications Systems' sales coming in below last year's second quarter, and the first quarter of 2013. These delays were the primary source of our second quarter operating loss," said Michael D. Popielec, Ultralife's president and chief executive officer. "Our strategy to widen the aperture of opportunities by investing in new product development ahead of revenue generation has significantly increased the dollar value of our sales funnel of large projects over the past twelve months. However, the ongoing reductions in U.S. Department of Defense spending have made the timing of converting these opportunities to sales more difficult to predict. Since the end of the second quarter, approximately $3 million of the delayed orders have closed which illustrates this dynamic."

Popielec continued, "In Battery & Energy Products, our strategy to diversify our customer base by investing in new products and sales resources and penetrate new market segments is gradually bearing fruit. Sales increased over the first quarter by 12% with new products accounting for 44% of second quarter sales, and with sales to commercial customers accounting for 50% of the mix. As the year-over-year decrease shrinks, we are starting to see indications of revenue stabilization.

"Despite the second quarter operating loss, we maintained strict cash management discipline such that we ended the quarter with $11.6 million of cash on hand, our highest level in over five years, and no debt."

Second Quarter 2013 Financial Results

Discontinued operations for the second quarter of 2013 reflect the final post-closing working capital adjustment relating to the sale transaction of RedBlack in the third quarter of 2012. For the second quarter of 2012 discontinued operations include the operating results of RedBlack. All revenue, gross margin and operating expense amounts presented below represent results from continuing operations. 

Revenue was $17.3 million, compared to $18.7 million for the second quarter of 2012, a 7.6% decline, reflecting a $0.9 million, or 5.6%, decrease in Battery & Energy Products sales and a $0.6 million, or 17.6%, decrease in Communications Systems sales.  Battery & Energy Products sales were $14.7 million, compared to $15.5 million last year. The decrease resulted from lower shipments of rechargeable batteries due to the timing of certain commercial and international defense orders which have been shifted to the second half of 2013. The continued slowdown in U.S. government and defense order rate for rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries and charger systems also impacted Battery & Energy Products sales. Communications Systems sales were $2.6 million, compared to $3.2 million for the same period last year reflecting delays in finalizing several large, funded orders for amplifiers and new products from U.S. and international defense customers.

Gross profit was $4.5 million, or 26.2% of revenue, compared to $4.5 million, or 23.9% of revenue, for the same quarter a year ago. The 230 basis point increase reflects favorable product mix of Communications Systems sales and the impact of a rework reserve recorded in the year earlier period. Battery & Energy Products' gross margin was 23.8%, compared to 24.2% last year, a decrease of 40 basis points due primarily to lower overhead absorption on sales volume declines. Communications Systems' gross margin was 39.3%, an increase of 1,720 basis points over the 22.1% gross margin reported last year, resulting from a stronger product mix, productivity improvements and the recording of a reserve for approximately $0.2 million related to the request by a strategically important customer to rework and upgrade certain McDowell products.   

Operating expenses decreased by $1.0 million, or 13.6%, to $6.4 million, compared to $7.4 million a year ago, reflecting ongoing general & administrative expense reductions and sharpened focus on research & development offset by sales force increases.  Despite the lower revenue, operating expenses as a percent of revenue decreased from 39.6% for the year earlier period to 37.0%.  

Although gross margin improved by 230 basis points and operating expenses decreased by 13.6%, the low sales volume resulted in an operating loss of $1.9 million. Compared to the second quarter of 2012, the net loss narrowed by $1.1 million due to the gross margin improvements and reductions in operating expenses.  

Net loss from continuing operations was $2.0 million, or $0.11 per share, compared to a net loss of $3.2 million, or $0.18 per share, for the second quarter of 2012. Net loss from discontinued operations was $0.1 million, or $0.01 per share, for the second quarter of 2013 versus net income of $0.0 million, or $0.00 per share, for the second quarter of 2012.  

Outlook

For 2013, although the Company's pending funded project pipelines remain strong, given the slower than expected contracting rate for current U.S. government and defense opportunities, management now expects an overall year-over-year revenue decline in the range of 10% to 12%. Driven by the potential for continued softness in government spending and contracting delays for funded projects, management expects Battery & Energy Products' revenues to decline in the range of 15% to 20% and Communication Systems' revenues to be in the flat to low-single digit growth range for the full year. However, with additional second half discretionary spending reductions and ongoing productivity improvements, management still expects to be profitable for the year and to generate a low-single digit operating margin.

Management cautions that the timing of orders and shipments may cause variability in quarterly results.  

About Ultralife Corporation

Ultralife Corporation serves its markets with products and services ranging from portable 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 second quarter earnings conference call today at 10:00 AM ET. To participate, please call (800) 915-4836, identify yourself and ask for the Ultralife call. The conference call will also be broadcast live over the Internet in the Events & Presentations section of the company's website at http://investor.ultralifecorporation.com. To listen to the call, please go to the web site at least fifteen minutes early to download and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live webcast, 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.

CONTACT: Company Contact:

         Ultralife Corporation

         Philip Fain

         (315) 210-6110

         pfain@ulbi.com



         Investor Relations Contact:

         Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates 

         Jody Burfening

         (212) 838-3777

         jburfening@lhai.com