ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- VOXX International Corporation (NASDAQ: VOXX), a leading manufacturer and distributor of automotive and consumer technologies for the global markets, today announced financial results for its Fiscal 2021 second quarter and six-months ended August 31, 2020.

Commenting on the Company's results, Pat Lavelle, President and Chief Executive Officer of VOXX International Corporation stated, "We had a strong second quarter, both in terms of sales and profitability and our outlook looks promising. Premium audio product sales are growing and should increase significantly with expanded distribution, our new alliance with Onkyo and Pioneer, and new products coming to market. Our aftermarket Automotive business is growing due to the acquisitions we made, both of which are progressing well. During the quarter, we were awarded an additional $30 million in new OEM business, bringing the total to over $400 million in new business awarded over the past approximately three quarters. While near-term, the global car market remains challenged, with these new awards that range between three to five years, and some as long as ten years, we see the potential to double our automotive business in the next three years."

Lavelle continued, "Interest in EyeLock products continues to intensify given the challenges with other modalities in light of the global pandemic. During the quarter, we were notified that we were awarded the healthcare program which we have previously spoken about. And, as part of the strategic process we began for EyeLock, we have a number of interested parties and are evaluating options to determine the best fit for VOXX and our shareholders. Overall, momentum is building, we are executing on our strategy, and our balance sheet remains strong. Barring any unforeseen events, the second half of Fiscal 2021 should generate significant top- and bottom-line improvements."

Fiscal 2021 and Fiscal 2020 Second Quarter Financial Comparisons

Net sales in the Fiscal 2021 second quarter ended August 31, 2020 were $128.0 million, an increase of $37.8 million or 41.9%, as compared to $90.2 million in the Fiscal 2020 second quarter ended August 31, 2019.

• Consumer Electronics segment net sales were $95.0 million as compared to $63.0 million, an increase of $32.0 million or 50.7%. Premium Audio product sales of $69.3 million increased by $31.2 million or 81.8%, as compared to $38.1 million, driven by higher sales of premium home theater systems, subwoofers, and the newly introduced premium wireless computer speaker systems, as well as expanded distribution and new product introductions. Other consumer electronics product sales of $25.7 million increased by $0.8 million or 3.1%, as compared to $24.9 million, due to higher demand for and sales of hook-up and Do It Yourself ("DIY") products.
• Automotive Electronics segment net sales were $32.6 million as compared to $26.8 million, an increase of $5.8 million or 21.6%. OEM product sales of $10.7 million declined by $1.1 million or 9.3%, primarily due to plant closures at several of the Company's OEM customers and related volume of car sales. Aftermarket product sales of $21.9 million increased by $6.9 million or 45.8%, primarily driven by the Directed and Vehicle Safety Holdings Corp. ("VSHC") acquisitions and an increase in remote start sales due to pent-up demand.
• Biometrics segment sales of $0.3 million were essentially flat for the comparable periods, or up 3.5%.

The gross margin in the Fiscal 2021 second quarter was 29.7%, up 340 basis points compared to the prior fiscal year period. Driving the year-over-year increase was a 390-basis point gross margin improvement in the Consumer Electronics segment, while Automotive Electronics segment gross margins were relatively flat, down 20 basis points. While gross margin improved in the Biometrics segment, the impact was minimal based on volume.

Total operating expenses in the Fiscal 2021 second quarter were $29.4 million, as compared to $31.5 million in the comparable Fiscal 2020 period, an improvement of $2.1 million or 6.7%. Selling expenses increased by 4.2% primarily due to higher sales and related commissions and selling expenses associated with headcount related to the acquisitions. General and administrative expenses declined by 12.6% primarily due to lower salary, and trade and entertainment expenses, also offset by acquisition-related expenses. Engineering and technical support expenses declined by 5.0%, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic and partially offset by an increase in research and development and salary-related expenses associated with the acquisitions.

The Company reported operating income of $8.7 million in the Fiscal 2021 second quarter, as compared to an operating loss of $7.7 million in the comparable year-ago period, an improvement of $16.4 million. Net income attributable to VOXX International Corporation was $7.3 million in the Fiscal 2021 second quarter, as compared to a net loss attributable to VOXX International Corporation of $6.0 million in the Fiscal 2020 second quarter, an improvement of $13.3 million. On a per share basis, the Company reported basic and diluted income per share attributable to VOXX International Corporation of $0.30 in the Fiscal 2021 second quarter, as compared to a basic and diluted loss per share attributable to VOXX International Corporation of $0.24 in the Fiscal 2020 second quarter.

Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA") was $13.5 million in the Fiscal 2021 second quarter, as compared to an EBITDA loss of $1.3 million in the Fiscal 2020 second quarter, an improvement of $14.9 million. Adjusted EBITDA in the Fiscal 2021 second quarter was $13.9 million, as compared to an Adjusted EBITDA loss of $0.9 million in the comparable year-ago period, an improvement of $14.8 million.

Fiscal 2021 and Fiscal 2020 Six-Month Financial Comparisons

Net sales in the first half of Fiscal 2021 ended August 31, 2020 were $200.0 million, an increase of $16.3 million or 8.9%, as compared to $183.7 million in the first half of Fiscal 2020 ended August 31, 2019.

• Consumer Electronics segment net sales were $149.5 million as compared to $126.7 million, an increase of $22.8 million or 18.0%. Premium Audio product sales of $103.8 million increased by $29.0 million or 38.8%, as compared to $74.8 million. This growth was driven primarily by higher consumer demand, expanded distribution, increased market share, and the introduction of new products. Other consumer electronics product sales of $45.7 million decreased by $6.2 million or 11.9%, primarily due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, nationwide brick and mortar business closures, and fewer SKU's carried compared to the prior fiscal year period.
• Automotive Electronics segment net sales were $49.9 million as compared to $56.5 million, a decrease of $6.6 million or 11.6%. OEM product sales of $18.4 million declined by $8.4 million or 31.3% primarily due to the global pandemic, which led to several automotive manufacturing plant shutdowns, and timing of various OEM programs and the respective vehicle launch dates. Aftermarket product sales of $31.5 million increased by $1.8 million or 6.1% due to the recent acquisitions, partially offset by several retail and aftermarket car dealerships closing stores due to the impact of COVID-19.
• Biometrics segment sales of $0.4 million increased by $0.1 million or 38.5%. Driving the increase were higher sales of the EXT outdoor perimeter access product, as well as an updated version of the Nano NXT perimeter access product, both of which launched in the second quarter of Fiscal 2020.

The gross margin in the Fiscal 2021 six-month period was 29.0%, up 190 basis points compared to the prior fiscal year period. Driving the year-over-year increase was a 260-basis point gross margin improvement in the Consumer Electronics segment, which offset a 200-basis point decline in the Automotive Electronics segment, primarily due to lower sales of higher margin OEM products and automotive manufacturing shut-downs which lowered absorption rates. Offsetting this impact in the Automotive Electronics segment were higher gross margins associated with the acquisitions.

Total operating expenses in the Fiscal 2021 six-month period were $57.2 million, as compared to $64.6 million in the comparable Fiscal 2020 period, an improvement of $7.4 million or 11.4%. Selling expenses declined by 6.2% primarily as a result of lower salaries and the elimination of all non-essential travel and lower trade expenses, offset by higher sales and related commissions, and additional selling expenses associated with headcount related to the acquisitions. General and administrative expenses declined by 13.3% due primarily to lower salary, trade and entertainment, and office expenses, as well as lower headcount, among other factors, offset by expenses associated with acquisitions, and higher compensation expenses from the resulting new subsidiaries. Engineering and technical support expenses declined by 14.5%. Note, the fiscal 2021 six-month period included operating expenses from DEI for the full six months, whereas VSM was acquired in July 2020.

For the Fiscal 2021 six-month period, the Company reported operating income of $0.8 million, as compared to an operating loss of $14.9 million in the comparable year-ago period, an improvement of $15.7 million. Net loss attributable to VOXX International Corporation was $0.9 million in the Fiscal 2021 six-month period, as compared to a net loss attributable to VOXX International Corporation of $7.1 million in the comparable year-ago period, an improvement of $6.2 million. On a per share basis, the Company reported a basic and diluted loss per share attributable to VOXX International Corporation of $0.04 in the Fiscal 2021 six-month period, as compared to a basic and diluted loss per share attributable to VOXX International Corporation of $0.29 in the Fiscal 2020 six-month period. Contributing to the net loss attributable to VOXX in the Fiscal 2021 six-month period was an income tax expense of $4.4 million, whereas the Fiscal 2020 six-month period included an income tax benefit of $1.5 million.

For the Fiscal 2021 six-month period, EBITDA was $10.3 million, as compared to an EBITDA loss of $1.5 million in the Fiscal 2020 six-month period, an improvement of $11.7 million. Adjusted EBITDA in the Fiscal 2021 six-month period was $10.5 million, as compared to an Adjusted EBITDA loss of $1.9 million in the comparable year-ago period, an improvement of $12.4 million.

Balance Sheet Update

As of August 31, 2020, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $45.9 million, as compared to cash and cash equivalents of $37.4 million as of February 29, 2020. As of August 31, 2020, long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs was $26.3 million, as compared to $6.1 million as of February 29, 2020. The increase in total long-term debt was primarily related to $20.3 million outstanding on the Company's domestic Credit Facility as of August 31, 2020.

As a precautionary measure to ensure financial flexibility and maintain maximum liquidity, given the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 global pandemic, in April 2020 the Company borrowed $20.0 million from its Credit Facility in the U.S., and on June 11, 2020, amended the Credit Facility to extend its maturity date. The Company has sufficient cash on hand and access to capital to meet all of its working capital needs and will evaluate the appropriate time to pay back the $20.0 million as it currently is in its heaviest buying season.

Acquisition of Directed LLC and Directed Electronics Canada, Inc.

On July 2, 2020, the Company completed its acquisition of certain assets and liabilities, which comprised the aftermarket vehicle remote start and security systems and connected car solutions (telematics) business, from Directed LLC and Directed Electronics Canada, Inc. ("Directed"), resulting in newly formed subsidiaries VOXX DEI LLC and VOXX DEI Canada LLC. This transaction was done via an asset purchase agreement and the acquired assets included inventory, accounts receivable, certain fixed assets, IT systems, and intellectual property. The cash purchase price was $11.0 million. Note, the acquisition of certain assets and liabilities of Vehicle Safety Holdings Corp. closed on January 31, 2020, which was during the Company's Fiscal 2020 fourth quarter, resulting in the newly formed subsidiary VSM-Rostra LLC ("VSM").

Conference Call and Webcast Information

VOXX International will be hosting its conference call on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern. Interested parties can participate by visiting www.voxxintl.com and clicking on the webcast in the Investor Relations section or via teleconference (toll-free: 877-303-9079; international: 970-315-0461 / conference ID: 8549988). A replay will be available on the Company's website approximately one hour after the completion of the call.

Non-GAAP Measures 

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Diluted Adjusted EBITDA per common share are not financial measures recognized by GAAP. EBITDA represents net income (loss) attributable to VOXX International Corporation, computed in accordance with GAAP, before interest expense and bank charges, taxes, and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA adjusted for stock-based compensation expense, as well as investment gains and life insurance proceeds. Depreciation, amortization, and stock-based compensation are non-cash items. Diluted Adjusted EBITDA per common share represents the Company's diluted earnings per common share based on Adjusted EBITDA.

We present EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Diluted Adjusted EBITDA per common share in this Form 10-Q because we consider them to be useful and appropriate supplemental measures of our performance. Adjusted EBITDA and Diluted Adjusted EBITDA per common share help us to evaluate our performance without the effects of certain GAAP calculations that may not have a direct cash impact on our current operating performance. In addition, the exclusion of certain costs or gains relating to certain events allows for a more meaningful comparison of our results from period-to-period. These non-GAAP measures, as we define them, are not necessarily comparable to similarly entitled measures of other companies and may not be an appropriate measure for performance relative to other companies. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Diluted Adjusted EBITDA per common share should not be assessed in isolation from, are not intended to represent, and should not be considered to be more meaningful measures than, or alternatives to, measures of operating performance as determined in accordance with GAAP.

About VOXX International Corporation
VOXX International Corporation (NASDAQ: VOXX) has grown into a worldwide leader in Automotive Electronics and Consumer Electronics, with emerging Biometrics technology to capitalize on the increased need for advanced security. Over the past several decades, with a portfolio of approximately 35 trusted brands, VOXX has built market-leading positions in in-vehicle entertainment, automotive security, reception products, a number of premium audio market segments, and more. VOXX is a global company, with an extensive distribution network that includes power retailers, mass merchandisers, 12-volt specialists and many of the world's leading automotive manufacturers. For additional information, please visit our website at www.voxxintl.com.

Safe Harbor Statement
Except for historical information contained herein, statements made in this release constitute forward-looking statements and thus may involve certain risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements made in this release are based on currently available information and the Company assumes no responsibility to update any such forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, may cause actual results to differ materially from the results suggested in the forward-looking statements. The factors include, but are not limited to the: risk factors described in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2020 and other filings made by the Company from time to time with the SEC. The factors described in such SEC filings include, without limitation: the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the Company's results of operations, the Company's ability to realize the anticipated results of its business realignment; cybersecurity risks; risks that may result from changes in the Company's business operations; our ability to keep pace with technological advances; significant competition in the automotive electronics, consumer electronics and biometrics businesses; our relationships with key suppliers and customers; quality and consumer acceptance of newly introduced products; market volatility; non-availability of product; excess inventory; price and product competition; new product introductions; foreign currency fluctuations; and restrictive debt covenants. Many of the foregoing risks and uncertainties are, and will be, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and any worsening of the global business and economic environment as a result. The Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

Investor & Media Relations Contact:
Glenn Wiener, GW Communications (for VOXX)                               
Email: gwiener@GWCco.com

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SOURCE VOXX International Corporation