DULUTH, Minn., Feb. 19, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IKONICS Corporation (Nasdaq:IKNX), a Duluth based imaging technology company, reported 2008 earnings of $814,000, or $0.40 per share, on sales of $15,854,000. Sales were up slightly over 2007, while earnings were down from $1,170,000, or $0.57 per share, in 2007. The earnings decline was primarily due to non-cash charges in 2008, principally an increase in the LIFO inventory reserve and the write off of patent application expenses.
Bill Ulland, IKONICS CEO said, "Worldwide recession made 2008 a challenging year for IKONICS. In spite of contractions in our core markets, we were able to hold sales equal to last year, gross profit fell by only 4%, and we continued to generate healthy cash flow. The only area of our business where sales did not grow was the awards and recognition market, which is highly vulnerable to recession.
"I believe that in 2009 our core businesses of photochemical stencils for screen printing and decorative abrasive etching will remain under pressure in the domestic market. We still see good opportunity in the export market and have taken steps to increase our presence in India and Latin America.
"The most promising developments for 2009 are our new business initiatives described below, which achieved commercial acceptance in 2008; I believe they will generate significant revenue and profits in 2009.
"Our Photo Machining Process has gained acceptance by large customers, and we anticipate ramped up production in 2009, primarily to the defense industry.
IKONICS Acoustics has also gained industry acceptance. In 2008 our technology was used for sound deadening on GE, Pratt & Whitney and Rolls Royce jet engines. Although temporarily impacted by the Boeing strike and the slow down in orders for some aircraft models, we anticipate good sales in the second half of 2009. We are bringing an improved product to this market which will expand our potential customer base. I believe the time saving and quality improvements we bring to the customer are compelling.
"Digital Texturing has gained customer acceptance as we have continually improved our equipment and print quality. We hope to start selling our next generation DTX(tm) printer in the second quarter of 2009. Equipment sales bring significant ongoing sales of our proprietary substrates and inkjettable fluids. Although the initial market is automotive, we believe that the revolutionary nature of our technology will bring us sales even in this depressed industry.
"IKONICS Industrial Solutions is a new venture of creating custom products to meet the needs of specific users. We both design and manufacture the product. We currently have two such products in production and anticipate others in 2009.
"All of our (non-defense) new businesses are subject to the world economy. However, I believe that our new technologies are important enough that we will see them contributing 10-20% of our sales in the next 12 months, with growth accelerating in future years."
Ulland also added that the Company completed construction on its new $4.4 million facility in December 2008.
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding sales, net earnings, and new products that involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ materially as a result of domestic and global economic conditions, competitive market conditions, acceptance of new products, the ability to identify and make suitable acquisitions, as well as the factors described in the Company's Form s 10-K, and 10-Q, and other reports on file with the SEC.
IKONICS Corporation
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Three Months and Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2008 and 2007
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
12/31/08 12/31/07 12/31/08 12/31/07
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net Sales $ 3,910,794 $ 3,925,358 $15,854,484 $15,824,725
Cost of Goods Sold 2,429,329 2,093,175 9,228,187 8,887,612
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Gross Profit 1,481,465 1,832,183 6,626,297 6,937,113
Operating expenses 1,344,302 1,326,833 5,655,925 5,510,468
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Income from
operations 137,163 505,350 970,372 1,426,645
Gain on sale of
investment -- -- 24,550 55,159
Interest income 2,950 43,724 90,212 153,971
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Income before income
taxes 140,113 549,074 1,085,134 1,635,775
Income tax expense 27,887 203,723 271,000 466,000
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Net income $ 112,226 $ 345,351 $ 814,134 $ 1,169,775
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Earnings per common
share-diluted $ 0.06 $ 0.17 $ 0.40 $ 0.57
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Average shares
outstanding-diluted 2,005,053 2,075,580 2,053,733 2,063,380
Condensed Balance Sheets
As of December 31 2008 and 2007
12/31/08 12/31/07
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Assets
Current assets $ 5,562,130 $ 9,315,737
Property, plant and equipment, net 5,602,063 1,320,591
Investment in non-marketable equity
securities 918,951 855,201
Intangible assets 403,285 479,888
Deferred income taxes -- 11,000
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$12,486,429 $11,982,417
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Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities $ 909,789 $ 936,703
Deferred income taxes 143,000 --
Long term debt -- --
Stockholders' equity 11,433,640 11,045,714
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$12,486,429 $11,982,417
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