Nortech Systems 2Q Revenue up 8%

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Nortech Systems Inc. has reported net sales of $28.9 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2016, an eight percent increase over net sales of $26.8 million for the second quarter of 2015. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, Nortech Systems’ net sales increased nine percent to $57.9 million, compared with $53.3 million for the same period in 2015.

For the second quarter of 2016, Nortech Systems reported an operating loss of $110,000, an improvement of $373,000 compared to the prior-year period. For the first six months of 2016, Nortech Systems reported operating income of $111,000, an improvement of $796,000 over the same period last year, when the operating loss was $685,000.

For the second quarter of 2016, Nortech Systems reported a net loss of $180,000, or $0.07 per diluted common share, compared with a net loss of $378,000, or $0.14 per diluted common share, for the same period last year. For the six months ended June 30, Nortech Systems reported a net loss of $117,000, or $0.04 per diluted common share. This compares with a net loss of $571,000, or $0.21 per diluted common share, for the first six months of 2015.

“The revenue improvement in the second quarter was led by medical sales, up 40 percent year over year,” said Rich Wasielewski, Nortech Systems’ president and CEO. “Our strategic investment in engineering services helped our medical backlog increase 28 percent during the second quarter, which bodes well for continued future growth.”

Wasielewski cited ongoing volatility among Nortech Systems’ industrial customers, with transportation, semiconductor and process control sectors experiencing economic headwinds throughout the first half of the year; those conditions are expected to persist this year. Quarterly defense sales improved, increasing 20 percent year over year amid signs of industry stabilization.

“Our overall backlog increased 12 percent during the second quarter and we’re beginning to see early signs that our growth and cost initiatives are taking hold,” Wasielewski explained. “Compared to a year ago, we’re in a better position heading into the second half of the year.”

Nortech Systems’ improved profitability for the quarter and six-month period resulted from the overall revenue increase, evolving product-service mix and cost-containment efforts. Profitability was impacted by startup costs for new China operations of $200,000 for the second quarter and $360,000 for the six-month period.

This week Nortech Systems announced the closing of its facility in Augusta, Wis., by year-end to improve asset utilization. The company will consolidate operations at its other facilities and serve customers without interruption.

“We are continuing to transform our business model with more early-engagement opportunities and value-added services like engineering, quick-turn prototyping and additional box-build solutions,” concluded Wasielewski. “Our customers also appreciate our competitive ‘One Nortech’ global options aided by our expansion into China and investments in Mexico.”

Conference Call

Nortech Systems announces a conference call to be held at 10:00 a.m. (CDT) on Thursday, August 4, 2016, to discuss the company’s second quarter results. Anyone interested in participating in the conference can access the call by dialing 866-635-0172 from within the United States, or 785-424-1629 if calling internationally. An audio webcast and replay of this conference call can be accessed at the investor relations portion of Nortech Systems’ website at www.nortechsys.com or at www.investorcalendar.com. A podcast (MP3 download) will also be available. The telephone replay will be available through August 28, 2016, by dialing 877-481-4010 (from U.S.) or 919-882-2331 (International). To access the replay, the conference ID 10065 is required.

About Nortech Systems Incorporated

Nortech Systems Incorporated (www.nortechsys.com), based in Maple Grove, Minn., is a full-service electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider of wire and cable assemblies, printed circuit board assemblies, and higher-level complete box build assemblies for a wide range of industries.  Markets served include industrial, medical and aerospace/defense. The company has operations in the U.S., Latin America and Asia. Nortech Systems Incorporated is traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol NSYS.