IIN Intricon Corporation

Hearing Health and Medical Revenue Up Over Prior Year

IntriCon Corporation (NASDAQ: IIN), a designer, developer, manufacturer and distributor of miniature and micro-miniature body-worn devices, today announced financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2016.

Highlights:

• Net sales of $18.3 million increased 10 percent over the prior-year period;
• The company’s value hearing health initiatives delivered both year-over-year and sequential growth;
• Gross margins of 28.0 percent improved from 26.1 percent in the first quarter of 2015; and,
• The company amended its credit facilities with The PrivateBank, creating a lending structure with broader financial flexibility.

First-Quarter Financial Results

For the 2016 first quarter, the company reported net sales of $18.3 million, up from $16.6 million in the prior-year period. Gross profit margins grew to 28.0 percent from 26.1 percent in the 2015 first quarter. The gains stemmed primarily from higher overall sales volume. IntriCon posted net income attributable to IntriCon shareholders of $15,000, or $0.00 per diluted share, compared to $284,000, or $0.05 per diluted share, for the 2015 first quarter.

“We are pleased to report year-over-year growth from a net sales and gross margin standpoint. We consciously increased our investment in the first quarter to accelerate expansion in value hearing health, which resulted in a slight decline in net income attributable to IntriCon shareholders,” said Mark S. Gorder, president and chief executive officer. “Our recent value hearing health efforts are beginning to gain traction and we delivered first-quarter net sales gains both year over year and sequentially. We intend to continue focusing our resources on building the infrastructure required to secure high-potential growth opportunities in the value hearing health market.”

Business Update

First-quarter hearing health sales grew 16 percent over the prior-year period. During the quarter, IntriCon experienced gains in value hearing aids, personal sound amplifier products (PSAP) and assisted listening devices. These were partially offset by anticipated decreases in conventional channel sales.

As previously noted, the conventional channel has experienced a trend of continuing market consolidation. As a result, six large manufacturers now control approximately 98 percent of the global market. However, market penetration has stagnated as end-consumer prices have risen dramatically. This has spurred the development of value hearing aids, PSAPs and assisted listening devices.

Moreover, on April 21, 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hosted a public workshop to gather stakeholder and public input on draft guidance related to the agency's premarket requirements for hearing aids and PSAPs. The FDA’s intent is to consider ways in which regulation can support further device penetration into the hearing market.

“As a company, we are aligned with the FDA's efforts to overcome barriers to device access and spur development and innovation in cost-effective technology,” said Gorder. “We believe these factors create the need for the outcomes-based hearing health delivery model we’ve advocated. Our value hearing health strategy focuses on this need as we continue to build the infrastructure to secure other notable partners who can help drive the company's outcomes-based, hearing health delivery model.”

The company’s integration plan for PC Werth is proceeding on schedule. During the quarter, IntriCon delivered initial devices to the National Health Service and is eagerly awaiting customer feedback. In mid-April, earVenture, the company’s joint venture with the Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA), presented at AudiologyNOW!, the annual convention of the American Academy of Audiology. This is part of IntriCon’s comprehensive marketing and sales plan to convert the 400-plus ADA members who have registered to join the earVenture program, into consistent customers, as well as solicit non-registered ADA members to join.

On the medical front, sales in IntriCon’s medical business increased 12 percent in the 2016 first quarter compared to the prior-year first quarter, primarily driven by the company’s largest customer, Medtronic. The gains stemmed from MiniLink REAL-Time Transmitter and related accessories sales, which are incorporated in Medtronic's MiniMed 530G insulin pump and continuous glucose monitoring system. IntriCon anticipates Medtronic revenue gains throughout 2016.

First quarter 2016 professional audio communication sales were down 16 percent from the prior-year period. IntriCon will continue to leverage its core technologies in professional audio communication to support existing customers, as well as seek related hearing health and medical product opportunities.

On April 15, 2016, IntriCon amended its credit facilities with The PrivateBank. The amendment includes, among other things: an increase in IntriCon’s term loan to $6.0 million from $4.0 million; an increase in the revolving credit facility capacity to $9.0 million from $8.0 million; an increase in the inventory cap on the borrowing base from $3.5 million to $4.0 million; and, revisions to the leverage ratio financial covenants effective March 31, 2016.

Said Gorder, “The higher borrowing capacity of our amended credit facilities is an important step in advancing our future plans. As we look ahead, we are evaluating several options to enhance our infrastructure and secure channel partners in value hearing health. Further, continued core technology investments—including development of ultra-low-power wireless technology aimed to increase efficiencies and access through innovative value hearing health distribution channels and medical biotelemetry markets—are essential to our long-term success.”

Looking AheadConcluded Gorder, “I am encouraged with the strong revenue and gross margins posted during the quarter and further progress made in developing our value hearing health infrastructure and advancing our technology portfolio. We are committed to accelerating targeted investment that best position the company for long-term success in the value hearing health and medical biotelemetry markets. Financially, we anticipate second quarter net sales consistent with 2016 first-quarter levels and double-digit gains for the full year.”

Conference Call TodayAs previously announced, the company will hold an investment community conference call today, Tuesday, April 26, 2016, beginning at 4 p.m. CT. Mark Gorder, president and chief executive officer, and Scott Longval, chief financial officer, will review fourth-quarter performance and discuss the company’s strategies. To join the conference call, dial: 1-800-344-6698 and provide the conference ID number 7654838 to the operator.

A replay of the conference call will be available three hours after the call ends through 7:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday, May 10, 2016. To access the replay, please visit https://jsp.premiereglobal.com/webrsvp and enter passcode 7654838.

About IntriCon CorporationHeadquartered in Arden Hills, Minn., IntriCon Corporation designs, develops and manufactures miniature and micro-miniature body-worn devices. These advanced products help medical, healthcare and professional communications companies meet the rising demand for smaller, more intelligent and better connected devices. IntriCon has facilities in the United States, Asia, United Kingdom and Europe. The company’s common stock trades under the symbol “IIN” on the NASDAQ Global Market. For more information about IntriCon, visit www.intricon.com.

Forward-Looking StatementsStatements made in this release and in IntriCon's other public filings and releases that are not historical facts or that include forward-looking terminology are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements may be affected by known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are beyond IntriCon's control, and may cause IntriCon's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, performance and achievements expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors are detailed from time to time in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. The company disclaims any intent or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, regardless of whether new information becomes available, future developments occur or otherwise.

  INTRICON CORPORATION Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)         Three Months Ended March 31, March 31, 2016 2015 (Unaudited) (Unaudited)   Sales, net $ 18,258 $ 16,602 Cost of sales   13,144     12,274   Gross profit 5,114 4,328 Operating expenses: Sales and marketing 1,196 987 General and administrative 2,291 1,709 Research and development   1,416     1,226   Total operating expenses   4,903     3,922   Operating income 211 406   Interest expense (126 ) (103 ) Other income (expense)   (70 )   136   Income from continuing operations before income taxes 15 439 Income tax (benefit) expense   34     155   Net Income (Loss) (19 ) 284 Less: Loss allocated to non-controlling interest   (34 )   -   Net Income attributable to IntriCon shareholders $ 15   $ 284     Net income per share attributable to IntriCon shareholders: Basic $ 0.00 $ 0.05 Diluted $ 0.00 $ 0.05   Average shares outstanding: Basic 5,981 5,849 Diluted 6,228 6,227     INTRICON CORPORATION Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)         March 31, December 31,

2016

2015

Current assets: Cash $ 553 $ 369 Restricted cash 640 610 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $136 at March 31, 2016 and $135 at December 31, 2015 8,924 8,578 Inventories 14,556 14,472 Other current assets   932     860   Total current assets 25,605 24,889   Machinery and equipment 39,273 38,653 Less: Accumulated depreciation   32,367     31,911   Net machinery and equipment 6,906 6,742   Goodwill 9,551 9,551 Investment in partnerships 188 224 Other assets, net   1,052     480   Total assets $ 43,302   $ 41,886     Current liabilities: Current maturities of long-term debt $ 1,941 $ 1,908 Accounts payable 8,275 7,785 Accrued salaries, wages and commissions 1,918 2,559 Deferred gain 28 55 Other accrued liabilities   965     1,279   Total current liabilities 13,127 13,586   Long-term debt, less current maturities 9,603 7,929 Other postretirement benefit obligations 530 542 Accrued pension liabilities 824 812 Other long-term liabilities   137     120   Total liabilities 24,221 22,989 Commitments and contingencies Shareholders’ equity: Common stock, $1.00 par value per share; 20,000 shares authorized; 5,986 and 5,981 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively 5,986 5,981 Additional paid-in capital 17,922 17,721 Accumulated deficit (4,031 ) (4,046 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (723 )   (721 ) Total shareholders' equity 19,154 18,935 Non-controlling interest   (73 )   (38 ) Total equity   19,081     18,897     Total liabilities and equity $ 43,302   $ 41,886  

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At IntriCon:Scott Longval, CFO, 651-604-9526slongval@intricon.comorAt PadillaCRT:Matt Sullivan, 612-455-1709matt.sullivan@padillacrt.com