AURORA, Ill., Aug. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Westell Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: WSTL), a leading provider of high-performance network infrastructure solutions, today announced results for its fiscal 2021 first quarter ended June 30, 2020 (FY21 1Q).  As previously announced, in light of the ongoing proposed reverse/forward split transaction, the Company has decided to forego the quarterly investors call.  Information concerning the proposed transaction is set forth in the definitive proxy statement for the Company’s 2020 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on Schedule 14A on August 11, 2020.  Stockholders are urged to read the definitive proxy statement carefully.“We saw a strong start to the new fiscal year as revenues increased by $1.2 million over the previous quarter, FY20 Q4. Customer orders in the first quarter improved over what we believe was a COVID-19 related slowdown last quarter.  Westell’s supply chain delivery also improved and enabled the Company to fill delayed customer orders.  The Westell team did a tremendous job of working with our customers and delivering products during difficult circumstances.Gross margins during this quarter improved to 38.7% compared to 32.8% in the previous quarter, higher IBW shipments contributed to the improvement.  We also continue to spend our resources wisely, operating expenses were $3.8 million compared to $4.9 million in the previous quarter.  These results led to a reduction in the consolidated net loss of $0.05 per share compared to a net loss of $0.18 per share in the previous quarter.We also saw new product revenue.  The first Crossfire Cellular DAS system, a key part of our new product growth strategy, shipped during the first quarter with revenue of nearly $0.2 million.  Additional systems worth approximately $0.4 million in revenue are expected to ship during the second quarter.  The first systems are already installed and are providing superior in-building cellular coverage,” said Westell’s President and CEO Tim Duitsman.
In-Building Wireless (IBW) SegmentIBW revenue from DAS conditioners and Ancillary products increased during FY21 1Q.  Sales of cellular repeaters and public safety products were down slightly while the Company recorded its first revenue from the new Crossfire Cellular DAS product line.  Segment gross margin and profit improved due to higher DAS conditioner sales.  R&D expenses were down due to lower product certification and consulting costs.
Intelligent Site Management (ISM) SegmentISM revenue increased, reflecting increased sales of remote units.  Segment gross margin decreased primarily due to product mix.  These effects were partly offset by lower R&D expense due to a temporary salary reduction during the quarter in response to COVID-19, that resulted in a net increase in profitability for the quarter.
Communication Network Solutions (CNS) SegmentGrowth in revenue from Cabinet products was offset in part by lower sales across other CNS product lines.  The CNS segment profit improvement was driven primarily by lower R&D expense, due to a temporary salary reduction during the quarter in response to COVID-19.
This news release will be posted on the Investor Relations section of Westell’s website: http://ir.westell.com.About Westell Technologies
Westell is a leading provider of high-performance network infrastructure solutions focused on innovation and differentiation at the edge of communication networks where end users connect.  The Company’s portfolio of products and solutions enable service providers and network operators to improve performance and reduce operating expenses.  With millions of products successfully deployed worldwide, Westell is a trusted partner for transforming networks into high-quality reliable systems. For more information, please visit www.westell.com.“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995Certain statements contained herein that are not historical facts or that contain the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “plan,” “should,” or derivatives thereof and other words of similar meaning are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.  Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the ability to complete the proposed reverse/forward split transaction and/or the ability to realize its expected benefits, product demand and market acceptance risks, customer spending patterns, need for financing and capital, economic weakness in the United States (“U.S.”) economy and telecommunications market, the effect of international economic conditions and trade, legal, social and economic risks (such as import, licensing and trade restrictions), the impact of competitive products or technologies, competitive pricing pressures, customer product selection decisions, product cost increases, component supply shortages, new product development, excess and obsolete inventory, commercialization and technological delays or difficulties (including delays or difficulties in developing, producing, testing and selling new products and technologies), the ability to successfully consolidate and rationalize operations, the ability to successfully identify, acquire and integrate acquisitions, the effects of the Company’s accounting policies, retention of key personnel, the effects and consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic or other pandemics, and other risks more fully described in the Company’s SEC filings, including the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, under Item 1A – Risk Factors.  The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect current events or circumstances after the date hereof, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise.

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(Unaudited)⁽¹⁾  On April 14, 2020, the Company received $1.6 million pursuant to a loan from JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. under the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”) of the 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) as administered by the U.S. Small Business Association (the “SBA”).  Funds from the loan may only be used for certain purposes, including payroll, benefits, rent and utilities.  The Company will carefully monitor qualifying expenses and other requirements in an effort to properly maximize loan forgiveness, but the Company can provide no assurance that the PPP loan will be forgiven in whole or in part.

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The Company conforms to U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in the preparation of its financial statements.  The schedules above reconcile the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.  The adjustments share one or more of the following characteristics: they are unusual and the Company does not expect them to recur in the ordinary course of its business; they do not involve the expenditure of cash; they are unrelated to the ongoing operation of the business in the ordinary course; or their magnitude and timing is largely outside of the Company’s control.  Management believes that the non-GAAP financial information provides meaningful supplemental information to investors.  Management also believes the non-GAAP financial information reflects the Company’s core ongoing operating performance and facilitates comparisons across reporting periods.  The Company uses these non-GAAP measures when evaluating its financial results.  Non-GAAP measures should not be viewed as a substitute for the Company’s GAAP results.Footnotes:(1)  Stock-based compensation is a non-cash expense incurred in accordance with share-based compensation accounting standards.
(2)  Non-cash impairment related to an IBW intangible asset related to product licensing rights incurred in the quarter ended March 31, 2020.
(3)  Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles is a non-cash expense arising from intangible assets previously acquired as a result of a business acquisition.
(4)  Transaction related expenses associated with the proposed reverse/forward stock split announced on July 10, 2020.
(5)  Amortization of the acquired product licensing rights are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA, but included in the Non-GAAP consolidated net income (loss), because the amortization is related to the ongoing operation of the business in the ordinary course.
(6)  EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure that represents Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization.  The Company presents Adjusted EBITDA.
(7)  Tax benefit associated with a reversal of an uncertain tax position.For additional information, contact:

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