Forward Reports Fiscal 2018 and Fourth Quarter Results

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Dec. 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Forward Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:FORD), a single source solution provider for the full spectrum of hardware and software product design and engineering services as well as a designer and distributer of carry and protective solutions, today announced financial results for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2018.

Full Fiscal Year 2018 Highlights

  • Net income was $1,379,000 in Fiscal 2018 compared to $579 thousand in Fiscal 2017.
     
  • Earnings per share was $0.15 per share for Fiscal 2018 compared to $0.07 per share for Fiscal 2017.
     
  • Total Revenues were $34.5 million in Fiscal 2018, compared to $24.8 million for Fiscal 2017.
     
  • Gross profit percentage increased to 19% in Fiscal 2018 from 16.9% in Fiscal 2017.           

Fourth Quarter 2018 Financial Highlights

  • Net income was $149 thousand, which is up from $113 thousand in the fourth quarter of 2017.
     
  • Earnings per share was $0.02 per share compared to $0.02 per share for the fourth quarter of 2017.
     
  • Revenues were $9.6 million compared to $6.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.  
     
  • Gross profit percentage increased to 19.5% from 16.5% in the fourth quarter of 2017.
     
  • Cash totaled approximately $4.4 million at September 30, 2018, down from $4.6 million at September 30, 2017.         

Terry Wise, Chief Executive Officer of Forward Industries, stated, “For the fiscal year 2018 I am pleased to report that the Forward Group has shown solid growth with a promising pipeline of future opportunities in growing sectors. These results reflect our efforts in leveraging the synergies with IPS where we have identified several promising cross selling and collaborative opportunities. For our core business, whilst we remained broadly static in sales, we will continue to face challenges in the diabetic sector and we have begun diversifying our product mix. IPS continues to realise strong pipeline opportunities. In summary, I very much look forward to continuing to build the growth for the forthcoming fiscal year.”

The tables below are derived from the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in its Form 10-K filed on December 19, 2018 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Please refer to the Form 10-K for complete financial statements and further information regarding the Company’s results of operations and financial condition relating to the fiscal years ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. Please also refer to the Form 10-K for a discussion of risk factors applicable to the Company and its business. 

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 including statements regarding opportunities presented from the IPS acquisition.  Forward has tried to identify these forward-looking statements by using words such as “may”, “should,” “expect,” “hope,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate” and similar expressions.  These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Company and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause its actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements.  These risks include the inability to expand our customer base, pricing pressures, lack of success of new sales people and unanticipated issues with our affiliated sourcing agent, failure to take advantage of synergies between IPS and Forward and issues integrating with IPS.  No assurance can be given that the actual results will be consistent with the forward-looking statements.  Investors should read carefully the factors described in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s filings with the SEC, including the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2018 for information regarding risk factors that could affect the Company’s results.  Except as otherwise required by Federal securities laws, Forward undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or any other reason.

About Forward Industries

Incorporated in 1962, and headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, Forward Industries is a global designer and distributor of mobile device cases and accessories. In January 2018, the Company acquired Intelligent Product Solutions, Inc. adding a leading product design, development solution for our customers. 

Contact:                                               
Forward Industries, Inc.                                        
Michael Matte, CFO                                              
(561) 465-0031

 
 
FORWARD INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
   
   For the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, 
    2018       2017  
       
       
Net Revenues $   34,499,503     $   24,764,613  
Cost of sales     27,931,427         20,572,970  
Gross profit     6,568,076         4,191,643  
       
Operating expenses:      
Sales and marketing     1,782,138         1,502,700  
General and administrative     4,525,286         2,090,473  
Total operating expenses     6,307,424         3,593,173  
       
Income from operations     260,652         598,470  
       
Other income (expenses):      
Fair value adjustment of earn-out consideration     510,000         –   
Fair value adjustment of deferred cash consideration     (12,000 )       –   
Interest expense     (115,447 )       –   
Other expense     (10,885 )       (19,124 )
Total other income (expense)     371,668         (19,124 )
       
Income before income taxes     632,320         579,346  
       
Benefit from income taxes     747,000         –   
       
Net income $   1,379,320     $   579,346  
       
Net income $   1,379,320     $   579,346  
Other comprehensive income:      
Translation adjustments     –          21,785  
Comprehensive income $   1,379,320     $   601,131  
       
Earnings per share:      
Basic  $   0.15     $   0.07  
Diluted $   0.15     $   0.07  
       
Weighted average number of common and      
common equivalent shares outstanding:      
Basic     9,264,670         8,727,322  
Diluted      9,354,669         8,823,059  
       

 

 
 
FORWARD INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
       
   September 30, 
    2018       2017  
       
Assets      
       
Current assets:      
Cash $   4,369,866     $   4,622,981  
Accounts receivable, net     9,024,518         6,218,563  
Inventories     1,568,914         2,120,971  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     248,434         157,930  
       
Total current assets     15,211,732         13,120,445  
       
Property and equipment, net     358,975         20,658  
Intangible assets, net     1,411,182         –   
Goodwill     2,182,427         –   
Other assets     63,550         12,843  
       
Total assets $   19,227,866     $   13,153,946  
       
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity      
       
Current liabilities:      
Line of credit $   350,000     $   –   
Accounts payable     329,967         67,351  
Due to Forward China     4,197,435         3,736,451  
Deferred income     125,013         169,642  
Notes payable – short-term portion     1,770,112         –   
Capital leases payable – short-term portion     56,876         –   
Deferred consideration – short-term portion     200,000         –   
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities     594,887         213,117  
Total current liabilities     7,624,290         4,186,561  
       
Other liabilities:      
Notes payable – long-term portion     54,335         –   
Capital leases payable – long-term portion     64,041         –   
Deferred rent     47,605         36,963  
Deferred consideration – long-term portion     338,000         –   
Total other liabilities     503,981         36,963  
       
Total liabilities     8,128,271         4,223,524  
       
Commitments and contingencies      
       
Shareholders’ equity:      
       
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 40,000,000 shares authorized;      
9,533,851 and 8,920,830 shares issued and outstanding, respectively      95,338         89,208  
Additional paid-in capital     18,720,396         17,936,673  
Accumulated deficit     (7,716,139 )       (9,095,459 )
       
Total shareholders’ equity     11,099,595         8,930,422  
       
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $   19,227,866     $   13,153,946