Giga-tronics Reports Third Quarter FY 2013 Results

SAN RAMON, Calif., Feb. 8, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Giga-tronics Incorporated (Nasdaq:GIGA) reported today a net loss of $865,000 or $0.17 per fully diluted share for the quarter ended December 29, 2012. This compares with a net loss of $2,613,000 or $0.52 per fully diluted share for the comparable period a year ago. Net sales increased 41% to $3,946,000 in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 compared to $2,799,000 in the third quarter of fiscal 2012. Gross margin increased by $2,074,000 over the same quarter last year. Operating expenses increased 15% or $323,000 in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 over fiscal 2012 primarily due to a $434,000 (or 58%) increase in product development expenses to invest in new instrument products and expenses associated with a previously announced restructuring totaling $99,000, which were partially offset by reduced selling, general, and administrative expenses. Orders decreased 10% in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 to $2,247,000 from $2,500,000 for the third quarter of fiscal 2012. The decrease in orders is primarily related to a decrease in switch orders which is a business characterized by large periodic orders.

Net loss for the nine month period ended December 29, 2012 was $2,636,000 or $0.52 per fully diluted share. This compares with a net loss of $3,952,000 or $0.79 per fully diluted share for the comparable period a year ago. Net sales increased 10% to $11,409,000 in the first nine months of fiscal 2013 compared to $10,382,000 in the first nine months of fiscal 2012. Gross margin increased by $2,012,000 over the comparable period last year. Operating expenses increased 11% or $692,000 in the first nine months of fiscal 2013 over fiscal 2012 primarily due to a $1,099,000 increase (or 53%) in product development expenses to more aggressively invest in new instrument products and expenses associated with a restructuring totaling $283,000 . Orders increased 40% in the first nine months of fiscal 2013 to $14,745,000 from $10,513,000 for the first nine months of fiscal 2012. The increase in orders is primarily related to orders received from the U.S. government and from prime contractors.

Backlog at December 29, 2012 was $7.2 million (approximately $6.1 million shippable within one year) as compared to $3.8 million (approximately $3.8 million shippable within one year) at December 31, 2011.

Cash and cash equivalents at December 29, 2012 were $2,421,000 compared to $2,096,000 as of September 29, 2012 and $2,365,000 at March 31, 2012.

Mr. John Regazzi, the Company's CEO stated, "The operating losses for the third quarter and the first nine months of fiscal 2013 reflect our continued commitment to investing in new product development. Nearly half of the reported operating loss is due to these expenses, which we believe are necessary in order to position the Company to achieve future revenue growth and profitability."

Mr. Regazzi continued, "The balance of the reported loss is the result of insufficient sales volume relative to our fixed infrastructure. To address this issue, the company has committed to combining its Microsource division within its San Ramon headquarters to achieve greater capacity utilization and efficiencies. The move continues on schedule towards a May 1, 2013 completion date with projected benefits of both significant future cost savings and better alignment of our infrastructure costs with anticipated sales volume."

Mr. Regazzi concluded, "This has been a challenging period as we turn the Company's primary focus toward new high performance synthesizer markets. We have restructured the management team, worked continuously towards reducing future expenses, and invested in a significant new product program all at the same time. I believe we will begin to see the benefits of these changes starting in May 2013 with improved gross margins following the relocation of the Microsource division and I anticipate Giga-tronics will return to profitability following the introduction of the new microwave product in fiscal 2014." 

Giga-tronics will host a conference call today at 4:30 p.m. ET to discuss the third quarter results. To participate in the call, dial (855) 410-0553 or (646) 583-7389 and enter PIN Code 169920#. The call will also be broadcast over the internet at www.gigatronics.com under "Investor Relations". The conference call discussion reflects management's views as of February 8, 2013 only.

Giga-tronics is a publicly held company, traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol "GIGA". Giga-tronics produces instruments, subsystems and sophisticated microwave components that have broad applications in defense electronics, aeronautics and wireless telecommunications.

The Giga-tronics Incorporated logo is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6087

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning profitability, backlog, shipments, revenue growth, improved gross margins, timing of move, and projected savings. Actual results may differ significantly due to risks and uncertainties, such as future orders, cancellations or deferrals, disputes over performance, the ability to collect receivables and general market conditions. For further discussion, see Giga-tronics' most recent annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, Part I, under the heading "Certain Factors Which May Adversely Affect Future Operations or an Investment in Giga-tronics" and Part II, under the heading "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations". 

CONTACT: Frank Romejko
         Vice President of Finance / Interim Chief Financial Officer
         (925) 302-1014

Released February 8, 2013