ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, May 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Syntec Optics Holdings, Inc. ("Syntec Optics" or the "Company") (NASDAQ:OPTX), a leading provider of mission-critical optics to scientific and technical instruments and defense and aerospace OEMs, reported financial and operational results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2023 and also 2024 First Quarter. Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Highlights Net Sales of $8.3 million, increased from $7.1 million compared to Q4 2022 Adjusted EBITDA was $1.3 million, compared to $1.1 million in Q4 2022 Cash was $2.2 million, increased from $0.5 million in 2022 and debt decreased to $8.9 million from $9.9 million in 2022 Full Year 2023 Financial Highlights Net Sales of $29.4 million were higher compared to $27.8 million in 2022 Adjusted EBITDA for the full year 2023 was $5.3 million, compared to $4.5 million in 2022 Earnings per Share rises to $0.06 from Negative $0.01 in 2022 Cash was $2.2 million, increased from $0.5 million in 2022 and debt decreased to $8.9 million from $9.9 million in 2022 First Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights Net Sales of $6.3 million, decreased from $6.9 million compared to Q1 2023 Adjusted EBITDA was negative $0.7 million, compared to $1.0 million in Q1 2023 Cash was $1.7 million, decreased from $2.2 million end of Quarter 4 2023, and debt decreased to $8.8 million from $8.9 million end of Quarter 4 2023 Operational and Business Highlights Entered Communications end market with the launch of space optics for Low Earth Orbit Satellites and recorded revenue of $5.3 million in the year 2023 Launched three new products in defense in the third and fourth quarter of 2023 Launched one new product in high precision biomedical optics in Quarter 4 2023 Launched one product in biomedical disposable optics in Quarter 1 of 2024 Launched one product in telecommunications microlens arrays in Quarter 4 2023 and created a higher volume production line in Quarter 1 2024 The calendar year 2023 was marked by record-high Net Sales and growth within a new end-market – Communications, while effectively managing the technical challenges of multiple product launches across various lines of capability. Syntec Optics leveraged a robust platform and continued to innovate, offering products for existing markets with existing customers using existing capabilities. Space Optics reached higher production levels. Next, high-precision biomedical mirrors achieve ramp, and low-weight hybrid optics used in night vision goggle systems are finalizing volume production OEM acceptances. Production ramp happens after the product comes off a higher volume line, meets customer specifications, and is integrated into the end product by the customer for final OEM acceptance. Even though some new products meet customer specifications, the OEM end-customer may introduce new parameters, extending the production ramp time.  Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial and Operating Results Fourth quarter 2023 Net Sales were $8.3 million, increased from $7.1 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2022. Full year 2023 Net sales increased by $1.6 million to $29.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, as compared to $27.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 with the higher production line running for space optics. Fourth quarter 2023 Adjusted EBITDA was $1.3 million, compared to $1.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. Full year 2023 Adjusted EBITDA was $5.3 million, compared to $4.5 million in 2022. The Company ended the fourth quarter of 2023 with $2.2 million in cash and $8.9 million in debt. Syntec Optics retains financial flexibility with access to an unused $4.4 million effective line of credit and a $5.0 million equipment line of credit. First Quarter 2024 Financial and Operating Results First quarter 2024 Net Sales were $6.3 million, decreased from $6.9 million compared to the first quarter of 2023. This decrease was primarily due to a delay in receiving nearly $2.3 million orders spread across the biomedical, consumer, and defense end markets, offset by an increase of $1.7 million in the communications end market over the prior year, 2023. First quarter 2024 Adjusted EBITDA was negative $0.7 million, compared to $1.0 million in the first quarter of 2023. Contributing factors included 2024 trade show expenses, 2023-year-end audit expenses, and development costs of new products. The Company ended the first quarter of 2024 with $1.7 million in cash and $8.8 million in debt. Syntec Optics retains financial flexibility with access to an unused $4.6 million line of credit and a $4.8 million equipment line of credit. Full year 2023 earnings per share rises over 2022. Several new products were launched in 2023. Space optics achieved production ramp. In the First Quarter of 2024, the new product telecom microlens array advanced to the production ramp, the new biomedical mirrors approach the production ramp, and a new high-volume biomedical disposable optics product development was launched. About Syntec Syntec Optics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:OPTX), headquartered in Rochester, NY, is one of the largest custom optics and photonics manufacturers in the United States. Operating for over two decades, Syntec Optics runs a state-of-the-art facility with extensive core capabilities of various optics manufacturing processes, both horizontally and vertically integrated, to provide a competitive advantage for mission-critical OEMs. Syntec Optics recently launched new products, including Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite optics, lightweight night vision goggle optics, biomedical equipment optics, and precision microlens arrays. To learn more, visit www.syntecoptics.com. Forward-Looking Statements The 2023 financial results contained in this press release are subject to finalization in connection with the completion of the audit and the preparation of the Company's Annual Report Form 10-K report for the year ended December 31, 2023. This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including certain financial forecasts and projections. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including statements as to the transactions contemplated by the business combination and related agreements, future results of operations and financial position, revenue and other metrics, planned products and services, business strategy and plans, objectives of management for future operations of Syntec Optics, market size, and growth opportunities, competitive position and technological and market trends, are forward-looking statements. Some of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words, including "may," "should," "expect," "intend," "will," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "predict," "plan," "targets," "projects," "could," "would," "continue," "forecast" or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar expressions. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors (some of which are beyond the control of Syntec Optics), which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based upon estimates, forecasts and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Syntec Optics and its management, as the case may be, are inherently uncertain and many factors may cause the actual results to differ materially from current expectations which include, but are not limited to: 1) risk outlined in any prior SEC filings; 2) ability of Syntec Optics to successfully increase market penetration into its target markets; 3) the addressable markets that Syntec Optics intends to target do not grow as expected; 4) the loss of any key executives; 5) the loss of any relationships with key suppliers including suppliers abroad; 6) the loss of any relationships with key customers; 7) the inability to protect Syntec Optics' patents and other intellectual property; 8) the failure to successfully execute manufacturing of announced products in a timely manner or at all, or to scale to mass production; 9) costs related to any further business combination; 10) changes in applicable laws or regulations; 11) the possibility that Syntec Optics may be adversely affected by other economic, business and/or competitive factors; 12) Syntec Optics' estimates of its growth and projected financial results for the future and meeting or satisfying the underlying assumptions with respect thereto; 13) the impact of any pandemic, including any mutations or variants thereof and the Russian/Ukrainian or Israeli conflict, and any resulting effect on business and financial conditions; 14) inability to complete any investments or borrowings in connection with any further business combination; 15) the potential for events or circumstances that result in Syntec Optics' failure to timely achieve the anticipated benefits of Syntec Optics' customer arrangements; and 16) other risks and uncertainties set forth in the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in prior SEC filings including registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Nothing in this press release should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Syntec Optics does not give any assurance that Syntec Optics will achieve its expected results. Syntec Optics does not undertake any duty to update these forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by law. If any of these risks materialize or any of the Company's assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that the Company presently does not know or that it currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date they were made. Except to the extent required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made. For further information, please contact: Sara Hart Investor Relations SOURCE: Syntec Optics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:OPTX)    SYNTEC OPTICS HOLDINGS, INC.CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETSDECEMBER 31, 2023 AND 2022                   2023     2022   ASSETS             Current Assets                 Cash   $ 2,158,245       526,182   Accounts Receivable, Net     6,800,064       5,925,724   Inventory     5,834,109       3,626,360   Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets     359,443       689,385                     Total Current Assets     15,151,861       10,767,651                     Property and Equipment, Net     11,101,052       11,624,819                     Operating Lease Right of Use Assets, Net     -       63,227                     Intangible Assets, Net     295,000       -                     Total Assets   $ 26,547,913     $ 22,455,697                     LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY                                   Current Liabilities                 Accounts Payable   $ 3,042,315     $ 412,058   Accrued Expenses     1,071,257       539,966   Federal Income Tax Payable     370,206       108,738   Deferred Revenue     -       348,095   Line of Credit     6,537,592       6,400,000   Current Maturities of Debt Obligations     362,972       1,624,851   Current Maturities of Operating Lease Liabilities     -       13,374                     Total Current Liabilities     11,384,342       9,447,082                     Long-Term Liabilities                 Long-Term Debt Obligations     2,024,939       1,913,538   Long-Term Operating Lease Liabilities     -       49,853   Due to Related Parties     -       11,767   Deferred Grant Revenue     -       300,000   Deferred Income Taxes     74,890       1,274,104                     Total Long-Term Liabilities     2,099,829       3,549,262                     Total Liabilities     13,484,171       12,996,344                     Commitments and Contingencies (Note 22)     -       -                     Stockholder's Equity