FARO® (Nasdaq: FARO), a leading global source for 3D measurement and imaging solutions for the 3D Metrology, AEC (Architecture, Engineering & Construction), and Public Safety Analytics applications, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2020.

"FARO delivered strong fourth quarter results, closing out a transformational year amid uncertainty caused by the pandemic.  Our fourth quarter performance demonstrates the effectiveness of our more efficient sales organization and the profit potential of our lower cost structure.  We enter 2021 as a stronger, more efficient business with a highly scalable financial model," stated Michael Burger, President and Chief Executive Officer. "As the business environment returns to normalized levels and we execute on our software and solution development initiatives, we believe we are well positioned to generate significant shareholder returns in the years ahead."

Fourth Quarter 2020 Financial Summary
Total sales were $93.0 million for fourth quarter 2020 representing a 31% sequential quarterly increase when compared to $70.7 million in the third quarter 2020, and an 11% decrease when compared with $104.1 million for fourth quarter 2019.  The sales level fluctuations were primarily a result of the COVID-19 impact on customer demand in our served markets.  Similarly, new order bookings of $95.1 million increased 32% sequentially compared to $72.0 million in the third quarter 2020, but were down 19% when compared to $116.9 million for the fourth quarter 2019.

Gross margin was 54.6% for the fourth quarter 2020, as compared to 41.9% for the same prior year period. Non-GAAP gross margin was 54.9% for the fourth quarter 2020 compared to 55.7% for the fourth quarter 2019.  The annual decrease in non-GAAP gross margin was primarily a result of the impact of lower sales resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Operating expense, which includes $2.9 million of non-recurring charges, was $48.1 million for the fourth quarter 2020, as compared to $91.8 million for the same prior year period.  Non-GAAP operating expense was $43.0 million for the fourth quarter 2020 compared to $53.3 million for the fourth quarter 2019.

Net income was $27.4 million, or $1.52 per share, for the fourth quarter 2020, as compared to a net loss of $49.7 million, or $2.85 per share, for the fourth quarter 2019. GAAP Net Income included a $19 million gain that resulted from the booking of a deferred tax asset associated with the completion of a fourth quarter tax structure restructuring.  Non-GAAP net income was $6.3 million, or $0.35 per share, for the fourth quarter 2020 compared to Non-GAAP net income of $3.1 million, or $0.18 per share, for the fourth quarter 2019. 

Adjusted EBITDA was $11.1 million, or 12% of Non-GAAP total sales, for the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $8.1 million, or 8% of Non-GAAP total sales, for the fourth quarter of 2019.

*A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is provided in the financial schedules portion at the end of this press release. An additional explanation of these measures is included below under the heading "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".

The Company's cash and short-term investments increased $22.0 million to $185.6 million as of the end of the fourth quarter of 2020, and the Company remained debt-free. 

Full Year 2020 Financial Summary
Total sales were $303.8 million for the full year 2020, as compared with $381.8 million for 2019. Non-GAAP total sales were $304.4 million for 2020 compared to $387.6 million for 2019.  New order bookings were $306.4 million for 2020, as compared to $418.4 million for 2019.

Gross margin was 52.6% for 2020, as compared to 51.9% for 2019. Non-GAAP gross margin was 52.9% for 2020 compared to 56.5% for 2019.

Net income was $0.6 million, or $0.04 per share, for 2020, as compared to net loss of $62.1 million, or $3.58 per share, for 2019. Non-GAAP net loss was $1.8 million, or $0.10 per share, for 2020 compared to net income of $11.2 million, or $0.65 per share, for 2019.

Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call to discuss these results on Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. ET. Interested parties can access the conference call by dialing (877) 876-9174 (U.S.) or +1 (785) 424-1669 (International) and using the passcode FARO. A live webcast will be available in the Investor Relations section of FARO's website at: https://www.faro.com/about-faro/investor-relations/events

A replay webcast will be available in the Investor Relations section of the company's web site approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call and will remain available for approximately 30 calendar days.

About FARO
For 40 years, FARO has provided industry-leading technology solutions that enable customers to quickly and easily measure their world, and then use that data to make smarter decisions faster. FARO continues to be a pioneer in bridging the digital and physical worlds through data-driven reliable accuracy, precision and immediacy. For more information, visit http://www.faro.com

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release contains information about our financial results that are not presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). These non-GAAP financial measures, including non-GAAP total sales, non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating expenses, non-GAAP income (loss) from operations, non-GAAP other expense, net, non-GAAP net income (loss) and non-GAAP net income (loss) per share, exclude the GSA sales adjustment (as defined in the tables below), the impact of purchase accounting intangible amortization expense, stock-based compensation, advisory fees incurred related to the GSA Matter (as defined in the tables below), imputed interest expense recorded related to the GSA Matter, costs incurred in connection with our executive officer transitions, including severance costs, sign-on bonuses and relocation costs, charges increasing our reserve for excess and obsolete inventory, product recall charges, restructuring charges, strategic impairment charges and write-offs, the impairment charge related to our equity investment in present4D GmbH, contingent consideration fair value adjustment, and other tax adjustments, and are provided to enhance investors' overall understanding of our historical operations and financial performance.

In addition, we present EBITDA, which is calculated as net (loss) income before interest (income) expense, net, income tax expense (benefit) and depreciation and amortization, and Adjusted EBITDA, which is calculated as EBITDA, excluding loss on foreign currency transactions, the GSA sales adjustment, stock-based compensation, advisory fees incurred related to the GSA Matter, costs incurred in connection with our executive officer transitions, including severance costs, sign-on bonuses and relocation costs, charges increasing our reserve for excess and obsolete inventory, product recall charges, restructuring charges, strategic impairment charges and write-offs, the impairment charge related to our equity investment in present4D GmbH, and contingent consideration fair value adjustment, as measures of our operating profitability. The most directly comparable GAAP measure to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA is net (loss) income. We also present Adjusted EBITDA margin, which is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA as a percent of Non-GAAP total sales. 

Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with relevant period-to-period comparisons of our core operations using the same methodology that management employs in its review of the Company's operating results. These financial measures are not recognized terms under GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for a measure of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures have limitations that should be considered before using these measures to evaluate a company's financial performance. These non-GAAP financial measures, as presented, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies due to varying methods of calculation. The financial statement tables that accompany this press release include a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to risks and uncertainties, such as statements about demand for and customer acceptance of FARO's products, FARO's product development and product launches, FARO's growth, strategic and restructuring plans and initiatives, including but not limited to the additional restructuring charges expected to be incurred in connection with our restructuring plan and the timing and amount of cost savings and other benefits expected to be realized from the restructuring plan and other strategic initiatives, and FARO's growth potential and profitability. Statements that are not historical facts or that describe the Company's plans, objectives, projections, expectations, assumptions, strategies, or goals are forward-looking statements.  In addition, words such as "is," "will" and similar expressions or discussions of FARO's plans or other intentions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to various known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performances, or achievements to differ materially from future results, performances, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Consequently, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

• the Company's ability to realize the intended benefits of its undertaking to transition to a company that is reorganized around functions to improve the efficiency of its sales organization and to improve operational effectiveness;
• the Company's inability to successfully execute its new strategic plan and restructuring plan, including but not limited to additional impairment charges and/or higher than expected severance costs and exit costs, and its inability to realize the expected benefits of such plans;
• the outcome of the U.S. Government's review of, or investigation into, the GSA Matter; any resulting penalties, damages, or sanctions imposed on the Company and the outcome of any resulting litigation to which the Company may become a party; loss of future government sales; and potential impacts on customer and supplier relationships and the Company's reputation;
• development by others of new or improved products, processes or technologies that make the Company's products less competitive or obsolete;
• the Company's inability to maintain its technological advantage by developing new products and enhancing its existing products;
• declines or other adverse changes, or lack of improvement, in industries that the Company serves or the domestic and international economies in the regions of the world where the Company operates and other general economic, business, and financial conditions;
• the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, including on our business operations, as well as its impact on general economic and financial market conditions;
• the impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates; and
• other risks detailed in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 that will be filed with the SEC following this earnings release.

Forward-looking statements in this release represent the Company's judgment as of the date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, unless otherwise required by law.