Flux Power Holdings, Inc. , a developer of advanced lithium industrial batteries for electric forklifts and airport ground support equipment (GSE), has reported results for its fourth quarter (Q4’18) and fiscal year ended June 30, 2018 (FY‘18).

Flux is targeting an estimated $10B market opportunity to provide lithium-ion batteries to power forklifts and airport ground service equipment – replacing decades-old lead-acid battery chemistry with a better performing, more convenient and energy efficient solution with a lower total cost of ownership.

Flux CEO Ron Dutt, commented, “After five years of development, customer piloting, technical approvals, OEM dialogues and initial deployments, the market for lithium-ion motive power batteries is here and gaining momentum. A growing number of Fortune 500 companies are discovering the clear benefits this more efficient solution can bring to enhancing their materials handling operations. This awakening demand is at the root of our positive outlook for Flux.” 

Highlights:

• Q4’18 revenue rose 800% to $1.1 million, versus $121,000 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 ended June 30, 2017 (Q4’17). Q4’18 revenue included $261,000 in airport ground service equipment batteries shipped to a global aviation services provider. 

• FY’18 revenue rose 357% to $4.1 million from $902,000 in fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 (FY’17). FY’18 was a watershed year in the accelerating adoption of Flux’s lithium-ion “LiFT Pack” batteries to replace lead-acid chemistry. Major customers also began to purchase Flux LiFT Packs for new forklift orders, building on initial traction for LiFT Packs as a replacement to end-of-life lead-acid batteries. 

• Flux completed development in FY’18 of several higher capacity LiFT Packs to power larger forklifts such as Class 1 Counterbalance forklifts, Class 2 Reach Trucks, and Class 3 End Riders. Depending on configuration and required power capacity, Flux End Rider packs, Class 2 Reach Truck packs, and Class 1 LiFT Packs are up to 2 times, 4-5 times, and 5-6 times, respectively, the average price of its entry-level LiFT Packs for walkie pallet jacks. 

• End-Rider Batteries in Advanced Stages of Evaluation – Flux delivered its new Class 3 End Rider Lift Pack demonstration units to a handful of customers, OEM’s and equipment dealers in FY’18. The evaluations have gone well and progressed into procurement dialogues. Flux expects these dialogues to result in initial orders over the next three-four months.
• Flux has a current order backlog of $2.0 million, and it also has significant sales opportunities in advanced stages of discussion.
• Includes a $350,000 order to provide LiFT Pack batteries and related chargers to a Midwest automotive parts supplier, primarily for Class 1 forklifts. The customer is converting from propane power to electric counterbalance trucks built by a leading European OEM and powered by Flux lithium-ion batteries. Delivery and revenue recognition is expected in November 2018.
• Includes an $0.8 million initial order with a Fortune 100 customer for Class 1 and 2 LiFT Packs to be shipped in October 2018. Flux is working to finalize a Global Master Purchase Agreement with this customer, and it anticipates further Class 1 Lift Pack orders from this customer in FY’19.

FY’19 Outlook

Flux anticipates FY’19 revenue to more than double FY’18 revenue based on the strength of its sales to date in the first quarter of FY’19, its current order backlog and its outlook for order activity for the balance of FY’19. Flux anticipates growing adoption of its larger and higher price point Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 End Rider batteries, along with continued penetration of the Class 3 Walkie pallet jack space. Flux also expects to achieve solid progress enhancing gross margin during FY’19 as it implements a range of design and sourcing improvements while also benefitting from growing economies of scale and a reduction in promotional pricing.

FY’18 Operating Results

Flux’s FY’18 revenues rose 357% to $4,118,000 compared to $902,000 in FY’17, reflecting initial commercial scale deployments to two major customers beginning in November 2017, growing production capabilities and rising interest in lithium storage solutions. During FY’18 Flux invested in general engineering and design, developed battery packs for the End Rider and Class 1 and 2 forklift markets and revitalized its sales blueprint, including direct introductions to certain large end-user accounts.

Cost of goods sold increased to $4,913,000 in FY’18 from $1,622,000 in FY’17, reflecting increased production volumes, associated costs and warranty expense for first generation units. The cost of materials per LiFT Pack in FY’18 decreased compared to FY’17 as higher production volumes enabled modest improvements in materials and component pricing. Flux continued to experience negative gross margins in FY’18 due to higher costs from low volume purchasing, promotional pricing, and higher-cost first generation designs, particularly for the GSE product launch. Flux is working to enhance gross margins through a planned combination of sourcing initiatives, lower prices from higher volume purchasing, and expected growing economies of scale.

Selling and administrative expenses increased to $3,462,000 in FY’18 from $2,404,000 in FY’17, principally due to additional cash and stock-based compensation expense related to new hires in sales, marketing, engineering and manufacturing and assembly, along with increased marketing expense to support new products and legal fees related to completed fund raising.

Research & development expenses increased to $1,956,000 in FY’18 from $1,052,000 in FY’17, reflecting development costs supporting the full product line as well as LiFT Pack design improvements, Flux’s net loss increased to $6.97M ($0.27 per share) in FY’18 from $4.44M ($0.18 per share) in FY’17 mainly due to higher operating expenses and increased interest expense. Per share results are based on of 25.4M and 24.5M weighted average basic shares at the end of FY’18 and FY’17, respectively, reflecting the weighted average impact of the issuance of 5.7M common shares in a $4M private placement near the close of FY’18. Share figures have been adjusted to reflect Flux’s 1-for-10 reverse split implemented on August 18, 2017.

Q4’18 Operating Results

Q4’18 revenue increased 800% to $1,098,000 compared to $121,000 in Q4’17, driven by higher walkie LiFT Pack sales and the sale of airport GSE packs to one of the largest global aviation industry’s  provider of cargo and aircraft ground handling services.

Q4’18 cost of goods sold increased to $1,185,000 compared to $238,000 in Q4’17, principally reflecting higher production volumes. Selling and administrative expenses increased to $1,084,000 in Q4’18 from $562,000 in Q4’17, principally reflecting increased staffing to support growth. Research & development expenses increased to $515,000 in Q4’18, compared to $280,000 in Q4’17 as Flux progressed development of higher capacity battery packs for larger equipment. Flux’s Q4’18 net loss increased to $1,926,000 from $1,058,000 in Q4’17, principally reflecting higher operating costs and interest expense.

About Flux Power Holdings, Inc. (www.fluxpwr.com)

Flux Power develops advanced lithium-ion batteries for industrial uses, including its first-ever UL 2271 Listed lithium-ion “LiFT Pack” forklift batteries. Flux solutions utilize its proprietary battery management system and in-house engineering and product design. Flux batteries deliver improved performance, extended cycle life and lower total cost of ownership than legacy lead-acid solutions. Flux sells primarily to lift equipment OEM’s, their dealers and battery distributors. Current products include advanced battery packs for motive power in the lift equipment and airport ground support markets.