Astronics Corporation Reports First Quarter 2025 Revenue Grew 11% Driven by Record Aerospace Sales

• First quarter sales increased 11.3% to $205.9 million
• First quarter net income was $9.5 million, or $0.26 per diluted share; adjusted EBITDA¹ was $30.7 million, or 15% of sales
• Aerospace segment first quarter sales grew 17% to a record $191.4 million
• Cash flow from operations was $20.6 million in the first quarter
• Achieved record bookings in the quarter of $279.7 million and record backlog of $673.0 million with book to bill ratio of 1.36x
• Maintaining 2025 revenue guidance in the range of $820 million to $860 million

EAST AURORA, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Astronics Corporation (Nasdaq: ATRO) (“Astronics” or the “Company”), a leading supplier of advanced technologies and products to the global aerospace, defense, and other mission critical industries, today reported financial results for the three months ended March 29, 2025.

Peter J. Gundermann, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Our first quarter results show a very strong start to 2025. Revenue exceeded the high end of our range, up 11% over the comparator quarter. Our leading market positions with our differentiated offerings for the aerospace industry across commercial, general aviation and military aircraft drove sales growth. Margin expansion reflects the operating leverage gained from higher volume coupled with actions we have been executing to improve operating efficiencies. Adjusted EBITDA¹ of $31 million, or 15% of sales, for the quarter and $110 million, or 13.4% of sales, for the trailing twelve months, is a testament to the hard work our team has put into the last several years of recovery. We believe our concerted efforts to provide our customers with engineering excellence and responsive service also helped to deliver record bookings in the quarter. Demand has remained robust resulting in record quarterly bookings of $280 million and a record backlog of $673 million.”

First Quarter Results

First Quarter 2025 Results (compared with the prior-year period, unless noted otherwise)

Growth in sales was driven by the Aerospace segment due to continued strength in demand primarily from the Commercial Transport and Military Aircraft markets. Aerospace sales increased $27.7 million, or 17.0%, which more than offset a $6.9 million decline in Test Systems sales.

Higher volume and improving productivity drove gross profit up $13.3 million to $60.8 million, or 29.5% of sales. Of note, gross margin was 29.5% compared with 25.7% in the comparator quarter. Both periods reflect the change in presentation for research & development expenses (“R&D”), which is now identified as an expense item on the income statement below gross profit. Consolidated sales and gross profit were negatively impacted by a $1.9 million revision of estimated costs to complete a long-term mass transit contract in the Test Systems segment.

In the first quarter of 2025, the $4.1 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) included a $6.2 million reserve adjustment to the damage award relating to the patent infringement dispute in the UK. This included a $0.5 million increase to the original damage award reserve of $11.9 million and an additional reserve of $5.7 million for interest expenses expected to be paid by the Company in connection therewith. R&D was down $2.3 million reflecting the timing of projects.

Consolidated operating income increased $11.5 million to $13.1 million, or 6.4% of sales. Adjusted operating income² for the 2025 first quarter was $22.6 million, or 11.0% of sales, compared with $5.5 million, or 3.0% of sales, in the 2024 first quarter.

As a result of the refinancing in December 2024, interest expense was down $2.6 million, or 45%. Tax expense in the quarter was $0.6 million compared with a tax benefit of $1.4 million in the prior-year period. Tax expense in the quarter was partially offset by a $1.1 million discrete adjustment to reverse certain federal and state deferred tax liabilities.

Stronger profitability and lower interest expense resulted in consolidated net income of $9.5 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, up from the net loss of $3.2 million, or $(0.09) per diluted share, in the prior-year period. Adjusted net income² for the 2025 first quarter increased $15.1 million to $17.0 million, or $0.44 per diluted share.

Consolidated adjusted EBITDA² increased 74.4% to $30.7 million, and was 14.9% of consolidated sales, primarily as a result of increased profitability from higher sales.

Record bookings of $279.7 million in the quarter resulted in a book-to-bill ratio of 1.36:1. For the trailing twelve months, bookings totaled $883.7 million and the book-to-bill ratio was 1.08:1. Backlog at the end of the quarter was $673.0 million, the highest recorded in the Company’s history.

Aerospace Segment Review (refer to sales by market and segment data in accompanying tables)

Aerospace First Quarter 2025 Results (compared with the prior-year period, unless noted otherwise)

Record Aerospace segment sales of $191.4 million increased $27.7 million, or 17.0%. Sales in the Commercial Transport market increased $16.1 million, or 13.3%. Growth was primarily related to increased demand by airlines for cabin power and inflight entertainment & connectivity (“IFEC”) products, which are in the Electrical Power & Motion and Avionics product groups. Military Aircraft sales increased $16.2 million, or 94.8%, to $33.3 million, driven by progress on the FLRAA program and increased demand for lighting and safety products.

General Aviation sales decreased $4.3 million, or 22.0%, to $15.2 million due to lower VVIP and airframe power sales, which are in Electrical Power & Motion and Avionics product groups.

Aerospace segment operating profit of $22.3 million, or 11.6% of sales, improved over the prior-year period despite the previously discussed $6.2 million true-up in legal reserves related to the UK patent dispute, which was partially offset by a $1.3 million decrease in litigation-related expenses. Adjusted Aerospace operating profit² was $31.0 million, or 16.2% of sales, reflecting the leverage gained on higher volume and improving production efficiencies.

Record Aerospace bookings were $267.7 million for a book-to-bill ratio of 1.40:1, including a booking of $57 million for the next phase of the Company’s FLRAA development. Backlog for the Aerospace segment was a record $613.9 million at quarter end.

Mr. Gundermann commented, “Our Aerospace business is performing quite well, with another quarter of double-digit revenue growth. Operating margin expansion validates the strong leverage of the business which we expect will continue to improve. Demand remains strong with record bookings and backlog, supporting our expectation of a very strong year in 2025.”

He continued, “We are conducting certain reviews of our Aerospace business to make sure we are properly focused on the major growth drivers important to our future. These reviews may result in certain rationalization efforts to optimize our performance going forward.”

Test Systems Segment Review (refer to sales by market and segment data in accompanying tables)

Test Systems First Quarter 2025 Results (compared with the prior-year period, unless noted otherwise)

Test Systems segment sales were $14.6 million, down $6.9 million from the comparator quarter in 2024. Segment sales were negatively impacted by $1.9 million due to a revision of estimated costs to complete a certain long-term mass transit Test contract. The revision resulted in reduced revenue recognized in the period due to lower estimates of the percentage of work completed on the program. The project is now anticipated to be completed later in 2026.

Test Systems segment operating loss was $2.2 million, compared with an operating loss of $3.1 million in the first quarter of 2024. The improvement was the result of savings realized from restructuring initiatives implemented in the prior year, despite lower volume, the previously mentioned long-term contract estimated cost revision and an increase in litigation-related legal expenses of $0.6 million. Test Systems continues to be negatively affected by mix and under absorption of fixed costs at current volume levels.

Bookings for the Test Systems segment in the quarter were $12.0 million. The book-to-bill ratio was 0.82:1 for the quarter. Backlog for the Test Systems segment was $59.1 million at quarter end.

Mr. Gundermann commented, “Our Test business had some success in the first quarter reducing its level of losses despite the expected lower volume. Results were complicated by the increase in estimate at completion on an elongated and complex long-term contract in addition to low bookings, prompting a wide-ranging review of the business, which is currently in process. We expect results to improve steadily as the year progresses, anchored by the production start for the U.S. Army radio test program, which we believe remains on track for the fourth quarter.”

Liquidity and Financing

Cash provided by operations in the first quarter of 2025 was $20.6 million due to higher net income and better working capital management. Capital expenditures in the quarter were $2.1 million. Long-term debt, net of cash, decreased $16.0 million to $134.2 million at quarter end compared with $150.2 million at the end of the year, primarily as a result of higher cash balances.

Update on Legal Proceedings

Since 2010, Astronics has been defending itself in a long-running series of patent infringement cases brought by a single plaintiff. Cases were filed in the United States, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom (UK).

The United States case was resolved in 2017, when the court found that the patent was not novel and was therefore invalid.

In France, the courts similarly found that the subject patent was invalid, though the plaintiff appealed that decision to the French Supreme Court, which recently remanded the case back to the appellate court for reconsideration. A decision by the appellate court on validity is not expected to be rendered until 2026.

The German court dismissed some claims of the patent but upheld others for which the court found that the Company had been infringing. The Company has paid $3.5 million in penalties and interest to date related to the case in Germany and has a reserve of $17.2 million to cover the remaining estimated damages and associated interest. Damages proceedings in this case are expected to conclude in 2026.

Unlike in the U.S., French, and German proceedings, the UK court fully upheld the subject patent and found that the Company was infringing. The ruling published in February 2025, resulted in a damages award of $11.9 million, which was reserved in full as of December 31, 2024. In a follow-up hearing held on March 20, 2025, the damages award was adjusted upwards by $0.5 million. The total damages award of $12.4 million was paid by the Company in the second quarter of 2025. Additionally, on April 30, 2025, the UK High Court of Justice (the “Court”) issued an order assigning $5.7 million in interest associated with the damages owed by the Company, which is likely to be paid in the second quarter of 2025. This amount was reserved in the Company’s financial statements in the quarter ended March 29, 2025. There will be a further hearing in May 2025 at which the Court will hear argument on permissions to appeal and the reimbursement of legal fees for the damages phase of the litigation. On May 1, 2025, the plaintiff estimated their legal fees for the damages phase of the litigation at approximately $7.2 million. The Company believes that they have valid defenses against this claim and as such, no amounts have been reserved for legal fee reimbursement as of March 29, 2025.

The Company expects an appeal, if any, would likely be heard in 2026.

All patents related to the infringement cases expired years ago, and the lawsuits do not restrict the Company’s current business activities in any way.

2025 Outlook

Mr. Gundermann commented, “We are off to a very strong start to 2025 and believe we are positioned for a good year, though we acknowledge the threat of tariffs and other macroeconomic risks affecting our industry and have not incorporated the unknown effects in our guidance. We have improving margins, solid demand, a record backlog, and a healthy balance sheet. We believe we are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

Astronics is maintaining 2025 revenue guidance at approximately $820 million to $860 million. The midpoint of this range would be a 6% increase over 2024 sales.

The Company is monitoring the evolving tariff situation closely. Astronics generates approximately 90% of its revenue from operations in the United States, though it has an international supply chain and a global list of customers. Based on the tariff rates in effect today, Astronics believes the potential incremental impact to annual costs of materials related to direct and known indirect effects is in the range of $10 million to $20 million before mitigation. The Company believes that certain actions including pass-through pricing, supply chain restructuring, duty drawbacks, the implementation of free trade zones, and other operational adjustments will significantly reduce the anticipated impacts of tariffs over time. The Company expects that tariff rates will remain in flux in the near future and will refine its strategy as the situation becomes more stable.

Backlog at the end of the first quarter was $673.0 million, of which approximately 76% is expected to be recognized as revenue over the next twelve months. Planned capital expenditures in 2025 are expected to be in the range of $35 million to $50 million.

First Quarter 2025 Webcast and Conference Call

The Company will host a teleconference today at 4:45 p.m. ET. During the teleconference, management will review the financial and operating results for the period and discuss Astronics’ corporate strategy and outlook. A question-and-answer session will follow.

The Astronics conference call can be accessed by calling (201) 493-6784. The listen-only audio webcast can be monitored at investors.astronics.com. To listen to the archived call, dial (412) 317-6671 and enter replay pin number 13752651. The telephonic replay will be available from 8:00 p.m. on the day of the call through Tuesday, May 20, 2025. The webcast replay can be accessed via the investor relations section of the Company’s website where a transcript will also be posted once available.

About Astronics Corporation

Astronics Corporation (Nasdaq: ATRO) serves the world’s aerospace, defense, and other mission-critical industries with proven innovative technology solutions. Astronics works side-by-side with customers, integrating its array of power, connectivity, lighting, structures, interiors, and test technologies to solve complex challenges. For over 50 years, Astronics has delivered creative, customer-focused solutions with exceptional responsiveness. Today, global airframe manufacturers, airlines, military branches, completion centers, and Fortune 500 companies rely on the collaborative spirit and innovation of Astronics. The Company’s strategy is to increase its value by developing technologies and capabilities that provide innovative solutions to its targeted markets.

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. One can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of the words “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “feeling” or other similar expressions and include all statements with regard to the Company’s 2025 outlook, the amount of capital expenditures for 2025, the amount of the impact of tariffs on costs for materials to the Company and level of mitigation potential with respect thereto, the amount of backlog to be recognized as revenue over the next twelve months, costs or outcomes of any business reviews or rationalization efforts, the timing of the decision by the appellate court in France with respect to the pending patent infringement case in France, the timing for the damages proceedings in Germany with respect to the pending patent infringement case in Germany, the timing for any further appeal with respect to the pending patent infringement case in the UK and the timing for payment of the interest award with respect thereto by the Company, and statements regarding the strategy of the Company and its outlook. Forward-looking statements also include all statements related to achieving any revenue or profitability expectations, expectations of continued growth, the level of liquidity, the level of cash generation, the level of demand by customers and markets and the amount of expected capital expenditures. Because such statements apply to future events, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from what may be stated here include the trend in growth with passenger power and connectivity on airplanes, the state of the aerospace and defense industries, the market acceptance of newly developed products, internal production capabilities, the timing of orders received, the status of customer certification processes and delivery schedules, the demand for and market acceptance of new or existing aircraft which contain the Company’s products, the impact of regulatory activity and public scrutiny on production rates of a major U.S. aircraft manufacturer, the need for new and advanced test and simulation equipment, customer preferences and relationships, the effectiveness of the Company’s supply chain, and other factors which are described in filings by Astronics with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information in this news release whether to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes in future operating results, financial conditions or prospects, or otherwise.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Metrics and Additional Financial Information

In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, Astronics provides Adjusted Non-GAAP information as additional information for its operating results. References to Adjusted Non-GAAP information are to non-GAAP financial measures. These measures are not required by, in accordance with, or an alternative for, GAAP and may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. Astronics management uses these measures for reviewing the financial results of Astronics for budget planning purposes and for making operational and financial decisions. Management believes that providing these non-GAAP financial measures to investors, as a supplement to GAAP financial measures, help investors evaluate Astronics core operating and financial performance and business trends consistent with how management evaluates such performance and trends.

FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW

For more information:
Company:
Nancy L. Hedges, Chief Financial Officer
Phone: (716) 805-1599, ext. 159
Email: nancy.hedges@astronics.com

Investor Relations:
Deborah K. Pawlowski, Alliance Advisors LLC
Phone: (716) 843-3908
Email: dpawlowski@allianceadvisors.com