Flux Power reports strong revenue increase for 2015

Increased battery sales during the fourth quarter, and over the full fiscal year helped Flux Power achieve 100% revenue growth in 2015.

Flux Power Holdings Inc., a developer of advanced lithium batteries for industrial applications including electric forklifts, has reviewed its recent progress and results for the fourth quarter (Q4 ‘15) and fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 (FY ‘15). In lieu of a conference call, the company will host an online Q&A session.

LiFT Pack Sales Highlights:

  • Q4 ‘15 LiFT Pack battery sales rose to 81 units versus 77 units in Q3 ’15
  • FY 2015 LiFT Pack sales increased to 244 units versus 60 units in FY 2014
  • Flux’s LiFT Pack unit sales are expected to decline in Q1 ’16 versus Q4 ’15 as some customers slow procurement activity in anticipation of Underwriters Laboratories approving a “UL Listing” of Flux LiFT Packs. Testing is currently underway and final issuance is anticipated in Q2 ‘16.

Flux Power has developed solid, broad-based interest in its LiFT Pack line of batteries for “Walkie” pallet jacks, reflecting the performance, efficiency and cost benefits this new storage solution brings to material handling-intensive businesses. To date, 26 large national or regional companies have piloted Flux LiFT Packs for Walkies and 15 of them have progressed to initial LiFT Pack purchases. Based on discussions with several companies regarding their battery replenishment schedules and purchasing intentions over the next year, the company believes this pacing could drive fiscal 2016 LiFT Pack sales of at least $3 million, representing more than 300% growth over fiscal 2015. Given the “UL Listing” timetable, the bulk of anticipated revenue is expected in the third and fourth quarters of FY ’16.

Flux’s FY 2016 sales estimate excludes other product sales opportunities in development and is subject to Flux’s ability to secure sufficient working capital to fund inventories, demo units, industry certifications, receivables and expanded sales, customer support and administration expense. Flux is currently evaluating ways to address its working capital needs.

CEO, Ron Dutt, comments, “We continued to see very positive interest in our LiFT Pack solutions at our booth at The Battery Show earlier this month in Detroit. This expanding interest, along with our core base of large customer activity and piloting, make us very confident that we are on the right track. It’s particularly exciting to witness customer reactions first hand – both managers and equipment operators – as they learn about and experience our alternative to decades-old, lead-acid battery power.

“With nearly two years of direct market experience and feedback, we have learned a great deal about the unique performance requirements for our LiFT Packs and have developed a range of enhancements that deliver a better and more customer-oriented solution. Now, with the review by Underwriters Laboratories nearing its conclusion over the next several weeks, we believe we will be well positioned to initiate broader scale deployments of our LiFT Pack solutions to customers who have piloted the solution and those that have purchased initial units for test. We are working hard to put in place the appropriate financial and operational resources that are required to properly support the anticipated acceleration in demand.”

Q4 and Full Year Operating Results

Increasing sales of Flux LiFT Packs drove Q4 ’15 revenue to $220,000, compared to Q4 ’14 revenue of $201,000, which included over $60,000 in revenue for a custom 48V battery array to power a new underground mining robot. Flux’s Q4 ’15 net loss increased to $964,000 from $894,000 in Q4 ’14, and increased over the Q3 ’15 net loss of $632,000 due to higher R&D, marketing and sales expense.

Fiscal 2015 revenues nearly doubled to $715,000 versus $358,000 in FY 2014, principally due to continued partner and customer traction and sales momentum for Flux LiFT Pack units. Sales of Flux LiFT Packs during FY 2014, the year of the product’s debut, were approximately $123,000. Flux’s gross margin performance reflects low initial sales volumes, piloting and promotional activity and inventory adjustments. Flux has developed several design and procurement initiatives designed to substantially improve LiFT Pack gross margins as the year progresses.

Full year 2015 operating expenses decreased 29% to $2.8 million from $3.8 million, principally due to the absence of pre-paid advisory fees for work that concluded in 2014. FY 2015 sales & administrative expenses increased by almost 27% versus FY 2014 as Flux made necessary investments to expand its sales and marketing reach and engineering capabilities.

Flux’s FY 2015 net loss declined to $2,415,000, or $0.02 per basic share, compared to FY 2014 net loss of $4,299,000, or $0.06 per basic share.  Per share figures are based on weighted average number of common shares outstanding of approximately 97.5 million and 73.3 million as of June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014, respectively.

Subsequent to the close of FY 2015, Flux enhanced its balance sheet by converting $2.0 million of short-term debt plus accrued interest into approximately 51.2 million common shares. As a result of the conversion, Flux had 150,710,137 common shares outstanding as of September 25, 2015.

Latest