Norsat Announces 2013 First Quarter Financial Results

Norsat Announces 2013 First Quarter Financial Results

Company posts EBITDA of $0.8 million and Revenue of $8.4 million

- Management to Host Conference Call at 8:30 am Pacific Time (11:30 am Eastern Time) -

Conference Call Details

Norsat will host a conference call today, May 8, 2013, at 8:30 am Pacific Time (11:30 am Eastern Time) to discuss 2013 first quarter financial results. To access the conference call, please dial toll-free 1-888-396-8049 or 416-764-8646. The conference call ID is: 'Norsat Investor Call'. Please connect approximately 10 minutes prior to the beginning of the call to ensure participation. A digital recording and transcript of the call will be available later today at:http://www.norsat.com/investors/financial-information/conference-call-recordings/

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Norsat International Inc. ("Norsat" or "the Company") (TSX: NII and OTC BB: NSATF), a leading provider of innovative communication solutions that enable the transmission of data, audio and video for challenging applications and environments, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013. Norsat serves global customers primarily through three business units: Sinclair Technologies, Satellite Solutions and Microwave Products. All financial results are reported in U.S. dollars and have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), unless otherwise stated.

(1) EBITDA is a Non-IFRS Measure that is defined in the 2012 Annual Management's Discussion and Analysis posted on Norsat's website and SEDAR.

First Quarter 2013 Overview

• On March 28, 2013, Norsat was awarded a Cdn$13.3 million repayable contribution from the Canadian Government's Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative ("SADI") for research and development

• First quarter revenue was $8.4 million, compared to $10.4 million during the same period in 2012

• Gross margin was 40%, compared to 44% in Q1 2012

• EBITDA was $0.8 million, compared to $1.2 million in Q1 2012

"The first quarter of 2013 was a challenging period with sales negatively affected by the US government's budget sequestration and by ongoing economic uncertainty in some of our markets," said Dr. Amiee Chan, President and CEO of Norsat. "Total first quarter sales declined to $8.4 million, from $10.4 million a year ago, reflecting moves by customers to cut back inventory levels and delay programs."

"In light of the more constrained market conditions, we maintained strict cost discipline across our operations and were successful in decreasing total expenses, net of government funding, by $0.8 million, or 22%, in the first quarter. This, in turn, helped us maintain positive first quarter EBITDA results. We also continued to pursue our strategy of broadening our portfolio of products and services, while diversifying our customer base as we responded to changes in our traditional markets."

"I am pleased to report that we boosted our R&D program with the award of a Cdn$13.3 million repayable contribution from the Canadian Government's Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative. This contribution will enhance our strategic research and development program going forward and will help maintain our leadership position in the development of innovative new products and technologies. Norsat has a long history of excellence in research and development and the contribution from SADI ensures that we will remain at the forefront of communications technology development."

"Subsequent to the quarter end, on April 16, 2013, we also closed a definitive agreement to acquire a US-based satellite communication systems business. Norsat paid US$530,170 and financed the transaction with cash from operations. This is an exciting development that advances our core business by augmenting our product portfolio and enhancing intellectual property (IP) for our Satellite Solutions and Microwave business unit. Strategically, the acquisition is consistent with our ongoing growth strategy. Through it, we will broaden the products, services and solutions we can provide to customers. The expanded sales team, together with the larger product and services portfolio it brings, will also enable us to address new market opportunities in the US and around the world. Accordingly, we believe the acquisition will create strong value for shareholders," said Dr. Chan.

Financial Review

For the three months ended March 31, 2013

For the three months ended March 31, 2013, Norsat recorded total sales of $8.4 million, compared to $10.4 million in Q1 2012.

Sales from the Sinclair Technologies segment were $5.6 million, compared to $6.2 million in Q1 last year. In the first half of the year in 2012, our Sinclair Technologies segment experienced stronger-than-normal demand for its products, especially in the safety and transportation sectors.

First quarter Satellite Solutions sales were $1.4 million, compared to $2.1 million last year. Sales were impacted by the US government's budget sequestration, which resulted in reduced military ordering of satellite equipment and services. In addition, Q1 2012 results benefitted from approximately $0.2 million in certain service revenues related to the NATO and FNESS contracts, which were not present in Q1 2013 results. Other service revenues were also $0.2 million lower year-over-year, due to the expiry of warranties and post-service contracts.

Microwave Products sales were significantly impacted by the US sequestration, with first quarter sales declining to $1.4 million, from $2.1 million in 2012.

On a consolidated basis, first quarter gross margin percentages were 40%, compared to 44% in Q1 2012. Our Sinclair and Microwave Products segments maintained healthy gross margins of 43% and 42%, respectively. However gross margins from the Satellite Solutions segment were 29%, compared to 41% in Q1 2012. The change in Satellite Solutions gross margins reflects the commencement of the accrual for SADI royalties and a greater proportion of lower-margin revenues in the mix especially related to airtime and lower margins on certain products and services sold.

For the three months ended March 31, 2013, total expenses decreased to $3.0 million, from $3.8 million in Q1 2012. First quarter selling and distributing expenses decreased to $1.6 million, from $1.7 million in 2012, reflecting reduced sales commissions as a result of the lower sales volumes. General and administrative expenses decreased to $1.0 million, from $1.5 million last year. The reduction in G&A expenses reflects the absence of approximately $0.3 million in severance costs paid in Q1 last year for the former president of Sinclair, together with other employee-related cost savings.

First quarter net product development expenses decreased by $0.3 million, to $0.3 million. This reflects a $0.4 million increase in recovery from government contributions, offset by a $0.1 million increase in direct expenses for ongoing product development.

On March 28, 2013, Norsat secured a new repayable government contribution under the SADI program, enabling the Company to claim eligible costs incurred between July 27, 2012 through December 31, 2017. The timing of the award meant that over two quarters worth of government contributions were recorded in Q1 of this year, compared to just one in the first quarter of 2012.

First quarter earnings before income taxes were $0.4 million compared to $0.8 million last year, reflecting the lower gross profit and gross profit margins.

As a result of the reorganization of Norsat's legal structure in 2012, net income tax recovery for the first quarter of 2013 was $9,117 compared to net income tax expense of $0.2 million during the same period last year.

First quarter net earnings from continuing operations were $0.4 million compared to $0.6 in 2012.

First quarter net earnings were $0.4 million, or $0.01 per share, basic and diluted, compared to $0.5 million, or $0.01 per share, basic and diluted in 2012.

EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was $0.8 million, compared to $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2012. The change in EBITDA reflects the lower gross profit contributions, partially offset by the $0.8 million reduction in total expenses.

Financial Position

Norsat ended the first quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $2.5 million, compared to $5.1 million as at December 31, 2012. In connection with its acquisition of Sinclair in January 2011, the Company secured and was funded a non-revolving acquisition loan of $12.0 million. As of May 7, 2013, the loan balance had been paid down to $6.0 million and Norsat was in compliance with its bank covenants.

During the first quarter of 2013, the Company paid a total of $0.4 million to the sellers of Sinclair as part of the purchase consideration. This amount represented $50% principal, plus accumulated interest, on the promissory note outstanding.

The Company also has access to undrawn credit facilities totaling $4.7 million as at March 31, 2013 and May 7, 2013.

Working capital as at March 31, 2013 was $8.2 million, compared to $7.5 million at December 31, 2012. The current ratio as at March 31, 2013 was 1.7 times, compared to 1.5 times as at December 31, 2012.

Outlook

As a result of the US government budget sequestration and ongoing economic uncertainties, the Company continues to see some softness across all of our segments.

Accordingly, Norsat will continue its successful diversification activities including broadening our product portfolio and expanding our customer base on a geographic and market sector basis, with a focus on militaries beyond the US, as well as the commercial, resource, transportation and public safety segments and look to close on additional revenue opportunities.

The Company's recent acquisition of a US-based satellite communications business is another testament to that strategy, and the Company is working quickly towards integrating the new product lines and services into our existing operations and realizing synergies. The Company expects the acquisition to add modest revenues in 2013 and be accretive to shareholders in a short time.

The current global economic uncertainties, coupled with our strong financial position and capital structure, continue to create excellent conditions for realizing growth through business combinations. Norsat will continue to actively pursue merger and acquisition opportunities; however, the Company will not undertake any transaction unless it meets strict criteria to provide strong value, furthers our strategic objectives and has the potential to be accretive to shareholders.

The Company also will continue to execute a balanced growth strategy that incorporates investment in staffing levels, new product introductions, continued enhancement of existing product lines, greater diversification by geographic region as well as by industry verticals, and a broadening of the solutions we provide to customers. Norsat continues to evaluate strategic opportunities that will improve our overall operating and financial performance.

A full set of financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis for Norsat is available at www.norsat.com and at www.sedar.com.