IKONICS Reports Record Sales and Discusses Possible Expansion Plans


DULUTH, Minn., July 31, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IKONICS Corporation (Nasdaq:IKNX), a Duluth-based imaging technology company, reported all-time record quarter sales for the second quarter of 2014 at $4,924,000, and the third consecutive record sales on a quarter-to-quarter comparison. Sales increased by 6% over the second quarter of 2013, and on a year-to-date basis are up 8%. Earnings declined by 32% compared to the second quarter of 2013 to $198,000, or $0.10 per diluted share, but on an annual basis, earnings are up 96% over the first half of 2013 to $0.20 per diluted share.

Bill Ulland, IKONICS CEO, said that the earnings decline for the quarter primarily reflected increased costs related to the company's Micro-Machining division, which is gearing up for anticipated sales growth as commercial aerospace customers are expected to begin introducing a next generation of aircraft beginning in the second half of this year and accelerating in 2015. Ulland also stated that there has been a delay in the ramp up of a portion of this business because one of the new jet engines for which IKONICS has provided sound deadening components has experienced a delay in certification due to certain mechanical problems unrelated to IKONICS' technology. Ulland indicated that he anticipates an early resolution of this problem and resumed demand for IKONICS' product.

"We just received an order for machining vents in the carbon fiber fuselage of a new generation helicopter," Ulland said. "To date our focus has been on sound deadening for aft liners and intake cowls, so fuselage machining represents an important new opportunity for our technology."

"We are in the process of evaluating an expansion to accommodate this anticipated growth in business," he added. "If the business case justifies the investment, we anticipate beginning construction in the spring of 2015 with manufacturing operations beginning that fall. We are seeking government assistance to help us with what would be a large investment for the company and one that entails some risk."

"Our traditional business units performed well during the quarter with Domestic Chromaline and Export setting all-time quarterly sales records and IKONICS Imaging posting a 13% growth in sales over the second quarter of 2013," Ulland said.

"DTX also has made some recent progress with new ink and substrate products that meet stringent customer demands and allow us to ship printed images and prototype parts to customers worldwide. I anticipate that DTX will be profitable by the end of year and will be a strong contributor to sales and profits in 2015," he said.

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding sales, gross profits, net earnings, balance sheet position, industry trends and new products, technologies and businesses initiatives that involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ materially as a result of downturns in the aerospace industry, unexpected production delays by the Company's customers, lack of acceptance of new products and technologies, introduction of new products or technologies by competitors, the effects of federal budget sequestration, domestic and global economic conditions, inherent risk and uncertainty in the protection of intellectual property rights, the ability to control operating costs without impacting growth as well as the factors described in the Company's Forms 10-K, and 10-Q, and other reports on file with the SEC.

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IKONICS Corporation
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited)
For the Three Months and Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 and 2013
  Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
  6/30/14 6/30/13 6/30/14 6/30/13
Net sales $4,924,747 $4,654,745 $9,389,323 $8,677,017
         
Cost of goods sold 3,213,875 2,770,787 5,919,298 5,328,800
         
Gross profit 1,710,872 1,883,958 3,470,025 3,348,217
         
Operating expenses 1,417,892 1,482,468 2,861,872 3,120,529
         
Income from operations 292,980 401,490 608,153 227,688
         
Interest income 1,552 1,744 3,510 3,959
         
Income before income taxes 294,532 403,234 611,663 231,647
         
Income tax expense 96,100 110,122 208,316 26,285
         
Net income $198,432 $293,112 $403,347 $205,362
         
Earnings per common share-diluted $0.10 $0.15 $0.20 $0.10
         
Average shares outstanding-diluted 2,019,721 2,012,552 2,016,774 2,007,724
     
Condensed Balance Sheets
As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013
   6/30/14   12/31/13
Assets   (unaudited)  
Current assets $8,379,175 $8,045,060
Property, plant and equipment, net 5,704,903 5,634,096
Intangible assets, net 348,350 322,647
  $14,432,428 $14,001,803
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity    
Current liabilities  $822,995 $874,985
Deferred income taxes 527,000 527,000
Long term debt  --   -- 
Stockholders' equity 13,082,433 12,599,818
  $14,432,428 $14,001,803
     
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 and 2013
   6/30/14  6/30/13
Net cash provided by operating activities $364,377 $18,108
     
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (983,691) 219,933
     
Net cash provided by financing activities 44,730 63,492
     
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (574,584) 301,533
     
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 1,704,300 967,943
     
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $1,129,716 $1,269,476


            

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