Massimo Group posted a 14.4 percent decrease in revenues in the third quarter, to $25.6 million compared to $29.9 million in the prior-year Q3 period. The decrease in revenue was primarily due to a significant drop in Pontoon boat sales, and a slight decrease in sales of UTV, ATV and e-bikes.
Revenue from sales of UTVs, ATVs and e-bikes decreased 6.9 percent to $25.1 million in the third quarter, from $27.0 million in Q3 2023. The decrease in revenue was said to be partially driven by the slow industry-wide trend, and partially by the seasonal promotions we offered in the third quarter of fiscal 2024.
The cost of revenue on UTVs, ATVs and e-bikes increased 3.7 percent, from $17.5 million in Q3 2023 to $18.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, and gross profit decreased by $2.5 million, or 26.5 percent, from $9.4 million in Q3 2023 to $6.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2024.
The gross margin decreased by 740 basis points in Q3, from 35.1 percent in Q3 2023 to 27.7 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. The increase in the cost of revenue was largely due to higher overhead costs, mainly from research and design input and the additional rent expense as we expand our warehouse space in fiscal 2024. The slight decrease in gross margin was primarily a result of selling some inventory at lower price at our seasonal promotions in the third quarter of fiscal 2024.
Revenue from sales of Pontoon Boats decreased 82.5 percent, from $3.0 million in Q3 2023, to $0.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. The decrease in revenue was said to be primarily attributable to the significant industry-wide downturn due to the impact of the high interest rates and inflation as demonstrated in the high rejection rates dealers have encountered from floorplan financing providers such as Northpoint. This trend aligns with the industry-wide challenges that intensified in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. Additionally, economic uncertainty in the U.S. has led to reduced spending on luxury boats, further constraining our Pontoon Boat sales.
The cost of revenue on Pontoon Boats decreased 78.3 percent, from $2.4 million in Q3 2023 to $0.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, and gross profit decreased by $0.6 million, or 98.9 percent, from $0.6 million in Q3 2023 to $6,619 in the third quarter of fiscal 2024.
The Pontoon boats gross margin decreased by 19.1 percentage points, from 20.4 percent in Q3 2023 to 1.3 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. The decrease in gross margin was primarily a result of a decline in sales of Pontoon Boats, without a corresponding reduction in fixed overhead costs, such as rent, utilities, and salaries.
Consolidated Income Statement
Consolidated gross profit decreased 30.9 percent year-over-year, from $10.1 million in Q3 2023, to $7.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2024.
Gross profit margin was 27.2 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, compared with 33.6 percent in the Q3 period last year. The decrease of 6.5 percent in the gross profit margin is consistent with (i) reduced sale prices aimed at clearing slow-moving inventory, and (ii) the decline in sales of Pontoon Boats, without a corresponding reduction in fixed overhead costs, such as rent and salaries.
Selling expenses increased by $0.5 million, or 24.9 percent, from $2.1 million in Q3 2023 to $2.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. The increase in selling expenses was mainly due to an increase in shipping and handling fees. The increase was partly offset by a decrease in warranty expense of approximately $0.4 million, due to enhanced quality control and customer service measures. The adoption of a traveling technician team has enabled timely responses to customer requests, reducing repair costs.
General and administrative expenses increased by $1.2 million, or 43.4 percent, from $2.7 million in Q3 2023 to $3.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. The increase was mainly due to increased salaries and benefits, travel expense and rent expense.
Total operating expenses increased 37.9 percent to $6.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $4.8 million in the prior year third quarter.
Net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2024, was $2.5 million, or a loss of 6 cents per basic and diluted share, as compared to net income of $4.0 million, or 10 cents per basic and diluted share, in the 2023 third quarter. Without the one-time charge of approximately $3.6 million due to litigation, net income for the quarter would have been positive.
Nine-Month Year-to-Date Summary
- Nine-month year-to-date (YTD) revenue increased 20.8 percent to $91.2 million compared to $75.5 million in YTD 2023.
- Nine-month YTD gross profit increased 21.6 percent to $28.9 million from $23.8 million in 9M 2023. Gross margin increased 21 basis points to 31.7 percent in 2024 YTD from 31.5 percent in the 2023 YTD period.
- Nine-month YTD net income decreased 46.9 percent to $3.5 million, or 9 cents per basic and diluted share, as compared to net income of $6.6 million, or 16 cents per basic and diluted share, in the YTD 2023 period.
“During the third quarter we continued to leverage new product innovation and a strong customer base to drive our strategic business expansion and growth prospects, and solidify our brand’s position in key markets,” said David Shan, founder, chairman & CEO, Massimo Group. “The third quarter was marked by industry-wide challenges and pressure on Pontoon boat sales, countered by expansions in motor vehicle production, distribution and products that are supporting revenue momentum. An ongoing cadence of new vehicle launches and marketing efforts across the country are driving adoption from new distribution partners and retailers to expand our national footprint. Following the conservatism principle in accounting, we adopted a cautious approach and recorded a one-time charge of approximately $3.6 million in the third quarter due to ongoing litigation, which is currently under appeal. Should there be any favorable ruling in the future, it will result in gains reversing the charge we took in this period. Without this charge the net income for the quarter would have been positive.
“In the last several months we have launched several exciting new vehicles and vehicle series as we continue to invest in our R&D to further enhance our products, using advanced technology to offer our UTV customers a smoother and more comfortable ride. We launched a new feature-rich T-Boss 1000 UTV for those who are looking for a powerful and versatile UTV that can handle any trip, with some specific features that make it a great choice for ranchers, hunters and more. A new series of T-Boss UTVs is equipped with Cab Enclosure that is built to deliver complete protection from the elements. Made with durable tempered glass, this fully enclosed cabin shields passengers from rain, wind, and snow, providing a comfortable environment for all outdoor tasks. Finally, we introduced the new GKD 350 All-Terrain Go Kart, our new rugged two-seater go-kart perfect for conquering any terrain. Built tough with standard safety features, the GKD 350 delivers both endless fun and a utility-driven experience with a 300cc power plant, 25 inch all terrain tires and easy-to-drive automatic transmission. We are now ramping sales of these new products through our sales network nationwide.
“To support these new products and our full lineup of rugged, versatile vehicles, we showcased our vehicles to hundreds of thousands of potential customers at several flagship expos and events around the country. We engaged with several potential new dealers, discussing opportunities that could enhance our distribution network and increase market penetration. These events also serve as an excellent opportunity for us to engage with store partners and discuss potential collaborations, which we believe lays the foundation for future revenue growth.
“Several production initiatives during the quarter are positioning us to further expand output levels each month. A new expansion has added 90,000 sq. ft. to our manufacturing facility in Garland, Texas to support increased production across motor and marine product verticals. At this facility we are also launching a new automated vehicle assembly robot line that are being installed as expected. This automation is expected to improve efficiency by 50 percent and enhance safety for production of ATV and UTV vehicles lines.
“Looking ahead, we are committed to delivering value as we scale operations and broaden our reach in domestic and international markets. We continue to build manufacturing capacity aimed at enhancing flexibility and increasing annual production, including an automated vehicle assembly robot line and the Armlogi partnership, which are expected to allow us to meet the growing demand of our products. We believe with increased operating efficiencies we can further improve margins while continuing to grow our revenue and expand our product line with new models. We are focusing on driving sales across our existing and new diversified product portfolio. With positive feedback on our new vehicles, we are confident in the growth prospects for the first half of 2025 as the introduction of new products and distribution relationships is expected to present significant opportunities for us to build market share and deliver long-term value to our shareholders,” concluded Shan.
Image courtesy Massimo Group