Sono-Tek Corporation, the global leader in ultrasonic coating systems, has reported impressive financial results for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2024. The company's strategic shift towards larger, more complex systems has paid off handsomely, driving record revenue and profitability.
Financials
For the full fiscal year 2024, Sono-Tek reported net sales of $19,699,886, a 31% increase from the prior year's $15,100,000. This strong top-line performance was driven by heightened demand across the company's key markets, including electronics/microelectronics, medical, and the rapidly growing alternative energy/clean energy sector. Notably, sales to the alternative energy/clean energy market surged 96% year-over-year, highlighting Sono-Tek's leadership position in this fast-growing space.
The company's strategic focus on developing more sophisticated, higher-value coating systems has significantly expanded its average selling prices (ASPs). Sono-Tek's larger, customized systems now commonly sell for over $300,000, with some reaching over $1 million. This shift has broadened the company's addressable market and enabled it to capture a greater share of the $8 billion total addressable market for thin-film coating equipment.
Sono-Tek's net income for fiscal 2024 reached $1,441,463, a 127% increase from the prior year's $636,000. This impressive bottom-line growth was driven by the combination of higher revenue, improved gross margins, and disciplined cost management. The company's operating cash flow for the year was $1,163,866, with free cash flow of $369,176.
The company's geographic sales mix has also shifted, with the U.S. and Canada now accounting for 55% of total revenue, up from 45% in the prior year. This increase was driven by various factors, including proactive government initiatives such as the CHIPS Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, as well as the ongoing trend of onshoring high-technology production.
First Quarter Fiscal 2025 Performance
Sono-Tek's first quarter of fiscal 2025 (ended May 31, 2024) also demonstrated strong momentum, with revenue increasing 40% year-over-year to $5,031,038. The company's gross profit margin for the quarter was 48.8%, a slight decrease from the prior year's 49.3% due to a reallocation of certain costs. Operating income for the quarter increased to $238,296, compared to an operating loss of $91,616 in the same period last year.
Outlook
Looking ahead, Sono-Tek is guiding for a strong first quarter of fiscal 2025, with revenue growth expected to exceed 30% compared to the prior year's weaker first quarter. For the full fiscal year 2025, the company is projecting 8% to 10% year-over-year revenue growth, despite the challenging comparisons to the record shipments in fiscal 2024.
Backlog and Customer Deposits
Sono-Tek's backlog remains robust, standing at $9.1 million as of February 29, 2024, up 7% from the prior year. This backlog includes several high-value, large-scale production systems, with four such orders valued at over $700,000 each. The company's customer deposits also reached $3.4 million at the end of fiscal 2024, reflecting the continued strong demand for its advanced coating solutions.
Business Overview
The company's strategic investments in research and development, as well as its sales and marketing capabilities, have been critical to its success. Sono-Tek has increased its headcount by approximately 15% over the past year, with a focus on enhancing its engineering, programming, and applications expertise to support the growing demand for its complex, customized systems.
Sono-Tek's competitive position has also strengthened in recent years, as its U.S. and European competitors have struggled to adapt to the rise of lower-cost Chinese manufacturers of more basic ultrasonic coating systems. In contrast, Sono-Tek has doubled down on its focus on highly sophisticated, application-specific coating solutions that are nearly impossible for its competitors to replicate.
Liquidity
The company's strong balance sheet, with $12 million in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, and no debt, provides ample financial flexibility to continue investing in its growth initiatives. Sono-Tek's disciplined capital allocation, including targeted investments in its IT infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities, further bolsters its competitive advantage.
Conclusion
Overall, Sono-Tek's impressive financial performance, robust backlog, and strategic positioning within the rapidly evolving thin-film coating market make it a compelling investment opportunity. The company's ability to consistently deliver innovative solutions that address the evolving needs of its diverse customer base positions it well for continued success in the years ahead.