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MicroVision, Inc. (MVIS)

Q4 2011 Earnings Call· Mon, Feb 27, 2012

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Transcript

Operator

Operator

Good day, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2011 MicroVision, Inc. Earnings Conference Call. My name is Juniata, and I will be your operator for today. [Operator Instructions] As a reminder, this conference is being recorded for replay purposes. I would now like to turn the conference over to Ms. Tiffany Bradford, Investor Relations. Please proceed.

Tiffany Bradford

Analyst

Thank you. I'd like to welcome everyone to MicroVision's 2011 Financial and Operating Results Conference Call. In addition to myself, participants on today's call include Alexander Tokman, President and Chief Executive Officer; and Jeff Wilson, Chief Financial Officer. The information in today's conference call may include forward-looking statements, including statements regarding projections of future operations and financial results; product development, applications and benefits; availability and supply of products and key components; business partnering expectations; market opportunities and growth in demand; as well as statements containing words like believe, estimate, expects, anticipates, target, plans, will, could, would and other similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from the future results implied or expressed in the forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are included in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities Exchange Commission under the heading Risk Factors Relating to the Company's Business, and our other reports filed with the Commission from time to time. Except as expressly required by the Federal Securities Laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in circumstances or any other reason. The agenda for today's call will be as follows: Alex will first give an update on 2011 business results. Jeff will then report the financial results, followed by Alex's discussion of our 2012 objectives. There will be a question-and-answer session, and then Alex will conclude the call with some final remarks. I now would like to turn the call over to Alex Tokman.

Alexander Tokman

Analyst

Thank you, Tiffany. Thanks, everyone, for joining us this morning, particularly people on the West Coast. Let's start with 2011 results. A year ago, I told you that our 3 key objectives for 2011 were: first, attaining moderate growth in revenue from sale of the first-generation engine and products that were derived from it; second, executing significant operating cash burn reduction in production by 40%; and third, showing the rapid advancement of the next-generation high definition PicoP display engine that is developed around new incoming direct green laser technology. I'm pleased to tell you that we achieved all 3 primary goals from last year. We grew revenue by 19%; we reduced cash used in operations by 40%, which was not a trivial task; and we've made significant progress on the next-generation PicoP engine design and development, as was evidenced in January when we unveiled fully functional engine prototypes at 2012 Consumer Electronics Show. Going forward, I will refer to our next-generation high definition PicoP display engine that is based on direct green lasers simply as PicoP Gen2. Now let's get back to the update. At CES, our new PicoP Gen2 display engine garnered a very strong support and interest from prospective customers. It was first true pico projection solution that offered high-definition, HD, resolution, while preserving a tiny form factor necessary to be embedded inside a variety of mobile devices. Also at CES, we received a Product of the Future award by Popular Science, and the future, ladies and gentlemen, begins this year. Of course, all of this was made possible by the exceptional work performed our team in 2011 after we modified the business tactics in late 2010 in response to market changes regarding both synthetic and direct green lasers' viability. As a result, we were able to do…

Jeff Wilson

Analyst

Thank you, Alex. This morning, I'd like to cover 3 areas: Revenue, our operating results and finally, our cash position at the end of the year. First, I'd like to start by highlighting a couple of key points from our financial results. As Alex mentioned, our revenue for the year was $5.6 million, a 19% increase from last year and in line with our goal of moderately increasing revenue in 2011 compared to last year. In addition, we continue to aggressively manage our cash and achieved our target of reducing cash used in operations by 40% from last year. Let's go to revenue. For the fourth quarter, revenue grew by 120% to $1.5 million compared to $683,000 for the same period in 2010. As I stated earlier, revenue for the year was $5.6 million compared to $4.7 million a year ago. Our revenue growth was driven primarily from increased sales of our existing SHOWWX+ family of pico projectors, which is the current generation PicoP engine. This is in line with our expectations for 2011, and we expect most of our revenue on the first half of 2012 will continue to be generated from sales of our existing product. Our backlog at the end of the year was $2.1 million, which is comprised mostly of orders from our PicoP engine and accessory pico projectors. As you will call, ESPlus placed a $3.5 million order during the third quarter for delivery during Q4. During the fourth quarter, ESPlus determined they needed additional time to mature the commercial readiness of its media player product and elected to defer pico engine deliveries into 2012. As a result, they have agreed to fill approximately $700,000 of the order in the first quarter of this year, and we're working with the ESPlus to schedule additional shipments.…

Alexander Tokman

Analyst

Thank you, Jeff. Let me walk you through 2012 objectives and describe what we plan to do this year to be successful. Three primary goals for this year are; first, secure OEM commitments to design products that will use our PicoP Gen2 display technology; second, to launch PicoP Gen2 display engine with our partners; and finally, to transition to our core Image by PicoP ingredient brand model. Let's now look at each one in greater detail, starting with securing OEM commitments. To have an opportunity to get a design win or secure an OEM commitment, you must first create and make available to others design samples for their evaluation, and I'm very pleased to tell you that this month's last week, we began shipping PicoP Gen2 display design samples to a first group of customers to start their evaluation. What typically happens during evaluation phase is that after MicroVision provides design samples, OEMs take anywhere between 1 to 6 months to determine the set and articulate their go-to-market position to us. Those customers who choose to go forward with us will commence an internal program and begin their own product development cycle. Of course, throughout this decision process, MicroVision will provide design guidelines and any other engineering support in order to secure customer product development commitments. Our target is to begin generating first OEM commits outside of Pioneer in the first half of this year. Now what happens after they commit? After they commit, they create an internal program, as I mentioned, to commercialize their new product that will incorporate our technology. The OEM's product commercialization cycles differ greatly depending on type and complexity of the product they want to introduce, their internal technical and marketing capability, as well as obvious with the investment level into any given program. Industry…

Operator

Operator

[Operator Instructions] Your first question comes from the line of Ryan MacDonald with Northland Securities.

Ryan Macdonald

Analyst

Ryan MacDonald on for Mike Latimore. So I was just curious, what is -- what are your latest estimates as you -- or do you have estimates as to the volume of direct green lasers that you think will be available during the second half of 2012?

Alexander Tokman

Analyst

This is very simple question. Based on all the information we have, so first of all, we expect, based on all the discussions with the suppliers, we expect the volumes to reach run rates that far exceed the historical production of the synthetic green laser. And because the direct green laser will be manufactured similarly to the established manufacturing processes used for blue lasers today. Also, we believe we should have enough capacity to fulfill Pioneer's demand for aftermarket head-up display and obviously, for the customers that will be able, at that time, to introduce their products. So larger volumes, the absolute number we cannot give you at this time. But fundamentally, right now, we feel pretty comfortable that we will have sufficient volume to address the initial product launches by the customers.

Ryan Macdonald

Analyst

Okay, got you. And so then, when do you see revenue from -- you talked about this automotive manufacturer OEM, when do you see revenue from this OEM?

Alexander Tokman

Analyst

The Pioneer set up, just Pioneer's intended -- their target still to introduce their aftermarket head-up display around midyear point, so we would expect that our revenue stream from that activity would start around the same time.

Ryan Macdonald

Analyst

Okay. And then just one final question. I guess how will you divide that -- be able to divide up then who gets the direct green laser when it becomes available? Is it first priority to Pioneer and then to other OEMs and other [indiscernible]?

Alexander Tokman

Analyst

It's a great question. Since Pioneer's product will be the first one that will leverage PicoP Gen2 technology, we expect that the first lasers would go to Pioneer. We don't expect a lot of competition initially, because our consumer electronic customers will be still developing their products at that time.

Operator

Operator

Your next question comes from the line of Diane Daggatt with McAdams Wright Ragen.

Diane Daggatt

Analyst · McAdams Wright Ragen.

Quick question on the Pioneer and qualifications on the system and then the engine. Do you think that midyear is enough time or could this take longer? Can you just give us a little bit more on that?

Alexander Tokman

Analyst · McAdams Wright Ragen.

It's still a valid question then. Right now, Pioneer's targeting still mid of 2012. We don't know exactly to a week or -- but everything we see and everything they've shown us tells us that they're within this plus/minus months or so. And again, more information becomes available, we, obviously, will provide it to you. But right now, we're basically reiterating the guidance that they gave to us and to the rest of the world.

Operator

Operator

Your next question comes from the line of Randy Hough with ProEquities.

Randall Hough

Analyst · ProEquities.

Alex, just a point of clarification in your targets for 2012, you make the first objective to secure OEM commitments. Make a distinction, if you would please, if necessary, between a -- what you call an OEM commitment and a partner like Pioneer, if such a distinction exists. So when you talk about OEM commitments, are you talking about partners like Pioneer or is it something different?

Alexander Tokman

Analyst · ProEquities.

It's actually a combination, Randy. This is a very good question because it plays totally into this Image by PicoP brand model that I just described. But fundamentally, when we talk about commitments, OEM commitments, we're specifically talking about customers that will leverage our technology rather than a manufacturer and a customer who will do both, manufacturing something for us and also using it for their own product. So fundamentally, initially, particularly initially, we're talking about customers who will take the end product, which is the engine, and will incorporate it into one of their future products.

Randall Hough

Analyst · ProEquities.

Okay. Now to follow on the idea of Pioneer, second question, have you worked through the, let's call it for a lack of a better term, sharing arrangement in terms of division of revenues as you go to final launch of the Pioneer heads-up display?

Alexander Tokman

Analyst · ProEquities.

We're very close in finalizing the definitive agreement with them on distribution and supply. Our respective teams are closing on several final points, including Pioneer's capacity output commitments. But fundamentally, in this agreement, there is a clear division who is getting what, who is going to get revenue from what and where the royalties come from.

Randall Hough

Analyst · ProEquities.

And you had mentioned earlier then, just to follow on with that, you'd mentioned earlier that I think Jeff said that revenues for 2012 should be somewhat similar to those of 2011. Will you know, as you get into the second half of the year, whether you'll be able to adjust that once you know the revenue sharing with Pioneer and give a forecast for the full year?

Alexander Tokman

Analyst · ProEquities.

Yes, as Jeff mentioned, in the first half of 2012, we expect to continue what we've done in 2011, essentially selling the first-generation product and engine so the revenues would be similar to what we experienced in 2011. In the second half, as you mentioned, as we transition into a new business model, the 3 important steps: generate design wins, complete the engine, launch Pioneer's hub and hopefully launch other people's products. As we're finalizing the agreements with the supply chain players and customers, each one of these could be different. In some cases, people may want to buy engine. In some cases, people may want to buy components and then get something else. So as we're finalizing these agreements and have more clarity, which will be different between different customers, we'll be able to articulate, give you more precision on what the revenue sources will come from, and it will be able to use this and estimate our revenue.

Operator

Operator

This concludes the Q&A portion for today's call. I would now like to turn the call back over to Mr. Tokman for any closing remarks.

Alexander Tokman

Analyst

Thank you. Look, there is no question this is a critical year for us. It's also very exciting year for us because we feel, I feel, like the biggest external limitation, which is green laser, is being addressed. Of course, I don't want to fool you. It does not imply that there are no risks left, but I feel like we are closer than ever to introduce a technology platform that has the bright future to carry us forward. And based on what we and our partners planned, the future starts this year. The direct green laser is becoming a reality this year, not 2014, as some led you to believe. Our progress on the new engine with Pioneer is on track. At this point in time, the market demand for our technology has intensified. People were excited to see HD solution that is smaller than anything that they've seen, and we're creating new and exciting applications that facilitate the -- we believe will facilitate adoptions of our technology, such as Touch Interactive, gaming, 3D. This year, as last year, our goal is to walk the talk, and of course, we plan to continuously provide you with the important business updates as they become available. Obviously, I would be remiss not to acknowledge the pain that all of us had to endure since last August watching our stock taking a hit, but we're keeping our eyes on the big price, the execution by us and our go-to market supply partners will be key this year, and we obviously, everybody understands the importance. For the most important part, remember that the vision and the ultimate goal are still intact. We want to redefine how people on the move view and interact with information, and we also want to become a preferred display solution provider for consumer electronic and automotive OEMs. So the only thing I can say is that no great endeavor in history were accomplished without pain and sacrifice, and I want to thank you for supporting us as we navigate and pave the way for you and for ourselves through a road less traveled. Thank you again, and we'll talk to you in 3 months.

Operator

Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes today's conference. Thank you for your participation. You may now disconnect. Have a great day.