Stocks and Investing Stocks and Investing
Wed, May 19, 2010
Tue, May 18, 2010
Mon, May 17, 2010

ISE Limited Announces First Quarter 2010 Financial Results


Published on 2010-05-17 13:20:16 - Market Wire
  Print publication without navigation


SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire - May 17, 2010) - ISE Limited (TSX: [ ISE ]), a leading developer, manufacturer and distributor of heavy duty hybrid-electric drive systems, reported its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2010. All dollar amounts in this press release are United States dollars unless otherwise indicated.

Rick Sander, CEO and President of ISE, stated, "Our first quarter growth demonstrates we are successfully driving sales in our core business of complete hybrid systems, including launching three substantial programs at Las Vegas Transit, California's Sunline Transit Agency and Vancouver's BC Transit. While the overall transit market is challenged by cuts in state and local subsidies for transit operating costs resulting in a reduction in the number of routes, we are leveraging our expertise and our reputation as innovators. ISE will begin accepting orders for our next-generation, battery-dominant compressed natural gas (CNG) hybrid system for transit buses with production units expected to be available in 2011. These will initially be marketed to transit agencies with existing CNG infrastructure as they can rapidly convert from conventional CNG systems to our significantly greener and more fuel efficient CNG hybrid system. We are also gaining traction in our energy storage systems and anticipate announcements in the second quarter."

Recent Corporate Highlights

  • Delivered a zero emission fuel cell hybrid system to Sunline Transit, based in Thousand Palms, CA.
  • Deployed 20 of ISE's zero emission fuel cell hybrid systems at the 2010 Games in Vancouver.
  • Launched 50 diesel hybrid systems with Las Vegas Transit.
  • Announced ISE will begin accepting orders for our next-generation, battery-dominant CNG hybrid system for transit buses with production units expected to be available in 2011.
  • Received 2010 certification for its gasoline Hybrid System from the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which is the first engine certification issued in 2010 by CARB in the hybrid urban bus category.

David Morash, CFO and Treasurer of ISE, stated, "We continue to foster strong relationships with our strategic partners including Maxwell and Siemens. We believe these as well as alliances with additional large corporations will fuel long-term expansion efforts. In addition, we are progressing in our efforts to establish an accounts receivable line of credit to fund working capital."

First Quarter 2010 Compared to First Quarter 2009

  • Revenue was $11.0 million in the first quarter of 2010, increasing more than threefold compared to $3.4 million in the first quarter of 2009.
  • Gross loss was reduced to $281,000 in the first quarter of 2010, including approximately $1.2 million of costs for integration support of systems onto new original equipment manufacturer platforms this quarter, compared to a gross loss of $1.6 million in the first quarter of 2009.
  • Operating expenses were $3.6 million in the first quarter of 2010, compared to $4.3 million in the first quarter of 2009.
    • R&D was $928,000 in the first quarter of 2010, compared to $1.6 million in the first quarter of 2009, reflecting a reduction in external consulting fees.
    • Sales and marketing expenses were $633,000 in the first quarter of 2010, compared to $540,000 in the first quarter of 2009.
    • G&A was $2.0 million in the first quarter of 2010, including the additional costs associated with being a public company, compared to $2.1 million in the first quarter of 2009.
  • Net loss from operations was $3.9 million in the first quarter of 2010, compared to $5.8 million in the first quarter of 2009.
  • At March 31, 2010, cash and cash equivalents were $9.0 million, compared to $782,000 at December 31, 2009. At March 31, 2010, working capital deficit improved to $547,000, from a deficit of $15.0 million at December 31, 2009.

Company Outlook
"Long sales cycles in the industry result in lumpiness in our revenue from quarter to quarter. In 2010, we expect unit growth of hybrid systems compared to 2009, and we expect revenue for the first two quarters to increase over the same periods in 2009. However, we do not expect revenue growth for the second half of 2010, as in the second half of 2009 we enjoyed the sale of 20 zero-emission buses that carry a significantly higher average selling price than our other hybrid systems," concluded Morash.

Conference Call Access Instructions
ISE will host a conference call at 4:30 p.m. EDT on Monday, May 17, 2010, to discuss its financial results. To access the call in Canada (and the US) please dial 877-718-5107 and for international calls dial 719-325-4921 approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the conference. The conference ID is 2345439. The conference call will also be broadcast live over the Internet and available for replay for a period of 90 days at [ www.isecorp.com ]. In addition, a replay of the call will be available via telephone for two business days, beginning two hours after the call. To listen to the replay, in the U.S., please dial 888-203-1112 and internationally, 719-457-0820. Enter access code 2345439.

About ISE Limited
ISE Limited ([ www.isecorp.com ]) is a leading developer, manufacturer and distributor of heavy duty hybrid-electric drive systems based on our core proprietary technology, which is focused on three critical subsystems: energy storage, controls software and power electronics. ISE specializes in series hybrid-electric and all-electric/zero emission technologies, and offers industry-leading energy storage systems and hybrid system components. Over the past 10 years, ISE has sold over 300 hybrid-electric drive systems that have demonstrated reliability and performance in over 13 million miles of fleet operation.

Established in 1995, ISE is headquartered in San Diego, California. ISE's history of innovation and technological leadership has resulted in the design and development of systems and components that deliver superior operating performance. For more information visit [ www.isecorp.com ].

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "plans," "project," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential" or "continue" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only current predictions and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our or our industry's actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements. Some of these factors are described in greater detail in the "Risk Factors" section of ISE's Prospectus dated February 11, 2010 filed on SEDAR, ISE's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2009 filed on SEDAR, and ISE's other filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, risks associated with ISE's long and unpredictable sales cycle; risks associated with product liability and warranty claims and the safety of ISE's products; risks relating to ISE's need for additional capital; risks associated with variations in the size, type and timing of customer orders for ISE's products; risks associated with market acceptance and reliability of ISE's products; risks associated with entering into long-term contracts and contracts with governmental agencies; risks associated with the availability, level and terms of government subsidies and incentives; risks associated with customer concentration and ISE's dependence on a small number of suppliers and original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs"); risks associated with ISE's strategic relationships; risks associated with executing ISE's growth strategy in the United States and internationally and scaling up our manufacturing capacity; risks relating to the retention and recruitment of qualified personnel; risks resulting from competition with larger businesses with greater resources; risks associated with technological advancements in ISE's industry; and risks relating to the protection of ISE's intellectual property.

Although ISE believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, ISE cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Except as required by law, ISE does not intend to update or revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this press release.

ISE and its logo are trademarks of ISE Limited. Other brand or product names are trademarks of their respective holders. Copyright © 2010 ISE Limited. All rights reserved.

ISE LIMITED
Consolidated Interim Balance Sheets
(In thousands of US dollars, except share data)
March 31 December 31
2010 2009
(unaudited) (unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$9,019 $782
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $119 at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively 6,503 9,189
Unbilled accounts receivable 43 1,405
Restricted cash 237 237
Inventories 7,738 9,979
Other current assets 309 2,600
Total current assets 23,849 24,192
Restricted cash 229 229
Property and equipment, net 1,291 1,464
Intangibles, net 521 523
Other long-term assets 1,603 953
Total assets$27,493 $27,361
Liabilities, Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock, and Stockholders' Deficit
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable$10,685 $14,740
Accrued liabilities 1,806 3,353
Current portion of payable to related party 252 252
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease 21 5,528
Preferred stock warrants subject to mandatory redemption -- 1,934
Current portion of deferred revenue 539 649
Current portion of accrued warranty and retrofit costs 6,200 5,998
Billings in excess of costs 4,893 6,701
Total current liabilities 24,396 39,155
Deferred revenue 417 317
Accrued warranty and retrofit costs 3,888 4,301
Other long-term liabilities 2,044 187
Long-term payable to related party 99 157
Long-term debt and capital lease 36 38
Total liabilities 30,880 44,155
Redeemable convertible Series B preferred stock; $0.001 par value. Authorized, issued, and outstanding shares 3,799,322 at December 31, 2009 liquidation preference of $37,500 -- 39,232
Redeemable convertible Series C preferred stock; $0.001 par value. Authorized, issued, and outstanding shares 12,693,230 at December 31, 2009 liquidation preference of $20,700 -- 16,396
Redeemable convertible Series D preferred stock; $0.001 par value. Authorized, issued, and outstanding shares 27,227,480 at December 31, 2009 liquidation preference of $26,250 -- 21,036
Commitments and contingencies (note 8)
Stockholders' deficit:
Convertible Series A preferred stock; $0.001 par value. Authorized, issued, and outstanding 2,077,724 at December 31, 2009 liquidation preference of $8,477 -- 13,564
Common stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized, 375,000,000; issued and outstanding shares 9,580,933 and 708,804 at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 10 1
Common stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized, 50,000,000; issued and outstanding shares 5,773,116 and 0 at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 5 --
Additional paid-in capital 86,307 (22,078)
Accumulated other comprehensive income -- --
Accumulated deficit 89,709 (84,945)
Total stockholders' deficit (3,387) (93,458)
Total liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock, and stockholders' deficit$27,493 $27,361

ISE LIMITED
Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands of US dollars, except share data)
Three month period ended March 31 Three month period ended March 31
2010 2009
(unaudited) (unaudited)
Revenue$11,046 $3,401
Cost of revenue 11,327 4,982
Gross loss (281) (1,581)
Product engineering, research, and development 928 1,600
Sales and marketing 633 540
General and administrative 2,093 2,100
Total operating expenses 3,654 4,240
Loss from operations (3,935) (5,821)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense (760) (3)
Interest income 2 3
Other income (loss), net (71) 17
Other income (expense) (829) 17
Loss before income tax provision (4,764) (5,804)
Income tax provision -- --
Net loss (4,764) (5,804)
Returns to preferred shareholders (1,498) (2,202)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders$(6,262) $(8,006)
Net loss per common share attributable to common stockholders - basic and diluted$(0.93) $(11.30)
Weighted average number of shares to compute basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders 6,729,210 708,804

Contributing Sources