SOURCE: American Technology Corporation
December 04, 2008 16:30 ET
American Technology Announces Record Fiscal Year Revenues
Fiscal 2008 Revenues Top $11 Million, Q4 2008 Revenues Up 144% Over Prior Year
SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire - December 4, 2008) - American Technology Corporation (ATC)
(NASDAQ: ATCO), a leading provider of directed sound products and
technologies, today reported record revenues of $11.2 million for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, an increase of 13% over fiscal 2007.
Bolstered by strong LRAD® sales, Q4 2008 revenues topped $3.8 million, a
144% increase over Q4 2007.
In addition to the Company's record fiscal year revenues, ATC's
accomplishments in fiscal 2008 included:
-- Developed, introduced and shipped a completely reengineered LRAD
product line, the LRAD-X™ series, a more powerful, highly intelligible,
rugged line of acoustic hailing and warning devices.
-- Developed, introduced and shipped the LRAD-RX™, incorporating a
LRAD 1000X™ with the Company's proprietary pan and tilt drive, a heavy-
duty, environmentally rugged "best in class" system with broad applications
to drive other devices beyond the LRAD-RX.
-- Shipped the first LRAD systems under the U.S. Navy's SPS Block 0 award
and continued to expand sales into the U.S. Navy.
-- Shipped the first portable LRAD, the 100X™, to the U.S. Military
and to customers in Southeast Asia.
-- Further developed global distribution channels by signing new sales
representatives in South America, Korea and Japan.
-- Entered into a sales representative agreement with Anchor Innovations
to further expand maritime LRAD sales.
Gross profit for fiscal 2008 was $4.4 million or 39% of revenues, compared
to a gross profit of $3.4 million, or 34% of revenues, for fiscal 2007. The
Company expects higher margins through increased sales of LRAD-X systems.
Operating expenses for fiscal 2008 were $10.9 million, an increase of $1.5
million from fiscal 2007. The increase included an increase in non-cash
share-based compensation costs of $818,000. Legal and accounting expenses
decreased by $439,000 and research and development expenses increased by
$1.1 million including $516,000 to develop and launch the LRAD-X product
series and a $319,000 increase for patent impairment.
Net loss for fiscal 2008 was $6.4 million or $(0.21) per share, compared to
a net loss of $5.6 million or $(0.18) per share for fiscal 2007. The
increase in net loss resulted primarily from the increased research and
development costs related to developing and launching the LRAD-X product
line and non-cash share-based compensation costs, offset by increased gross
profit.
"We expect fiscal 2009 to be much improved over the past fiscal year due to
accelerating LRAD-X military-related revenue growth and capitalizing on the
significant increase in sales and marketing activity surrounding LRAD's use
as part of an effective deterrent against piracy," remarked Tom Brown,
president and CEO of ATC. "We are working to increase sales to the
military, homeland and international security organizations, law
enforcement, and commercial maritime and defense-related companies."
"Three years ago, our first generation LRAD was used to help successfully
deter a pirate attack against a luxury cruise liner off the coast of
Somalia," Brown added. "Today, LRAD is receiving growing military,
commercial security and media recognition as an essential and battle-tested
system to help combat escalating international maritime piracy."
"We look forward to discussing LRAD's growing importance in the fight
against piracy, our fiscal 2008 results, and other business developments on
our December 5th conference call," Brown concluded.
About American Technology Corporation
American Technology Corporation is Shaping the Future of Sound® by
providing directed audio solutions that place clear, highly intelligible
sound exactly where needed. ATC's Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD®),
HyperSonic® Sound, and NeoPlanar® product lines make up the core of an
expanding portfolio of directed sound products and technologies. For more
information about ATC and its directed sound solutions please visit the
company's web site at www.atcsd.com.
Safe Harbor statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995: Except for historical information contained herein, the matters
discussed are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E
of the Securities Exchange Act. You should not place undue reliance on
these statements. We base these statements on particular assumptions that
we have made in light of our industry experience, the stage of product and
market development as well as our perception of historical trends, current
market conditions, current economic data, expected future developments and
other factors that we believe are appropriate under the circumstances.
These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those suggested in the forward-looking
statements, including but not limited to, the performance of our management
team, market acceptance of our directed sound technologies and products,
entry of competitors, the possibility our intellectual property protections
will not prevent others from marketing products similar to or competitive
with our products, potential technical or manufacturing difficulties that
could delay product deliveries or increase warranty costs, and other risks
identified and discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. These forward-looking statements are based on information and
management's expectations as of the date hereof. Future results may differ
materially from our current expectations. For more information regarding
other potential risks and uncertainties, see the "Risk Factors" section of
the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008.
American Technology Corporation disclaims any intent or obligation to
update those forward-looking statements, except as otherwise specifically
stated.
American Technology Corporation
Condensed Balance Sheets
(000's omitted)
September 30, September 30,
2008 2007
------------- -------------
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,695 $ 6,415
Accounts receivable, net 2,211 938
Inventories, net 2,890 3,803
Prepaid expenses and other 251 259
------------- -------------
Total current assets 8,047 11,415
Equipment, net 292 422
Patents, net 1,059 1,364
Deposits 58 58
------------- -------------
Total assets $ 9,456 $ 13,259
============= =============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 964 $ 772
Accrued liabilities 978 871
------------- -------------
Total current liabilities 1,942 1,643
------------- -------------
Total stockholders' equity 7,514 11,616
------------- -------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 9,456 $ 13,259
============= =============
American Technology Corporation
Condensed Statements of Operations
(000's omitted except share and per share amounts)
Years Ended September 30,
2008 2007
------------ ------------
Total revenues $ 11,190 $ 9,901
Cost of revenues 6,779 6,509
------------ ------------
Gross profit 4,411 3,392
------------ ------------
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative 7,503 7,053
Research and development 3,354 2,276
------------ ------------
Total operating expenses 10,857 9,329
------------ ------------
Loss from operations (6,446) (5,937)
------------ ------------
Other income (expense):
Interest income 171 376
Finance expense (85) --
------------ ------------
Total other income 86 376
------------ ------------
Net loss $ (6,360) $ (5,561)
============ ============
Net loss per share of common stock - basic and
diluted $ (0.21) $ (0.18)
============ ============
Average weighted number of common shares
outstanding 30,535,207 30,326,050
============ ============