Exhibit 99.1

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News Release: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For additional information, contact:

Investors / Trade / Media

Brian Cooper

Chief Financial Officer

Westell Technologies, Inc.

630.375.4740

BCooper@westell.com

Westell Technologies Fiscal 2010 First Quarter Highlights

 

   

Fiscal first quarter consolidated revenue of $40.5 million. Non-GAAP fiscal first quarter consolidated revenue of $53.8 million[1], which includes deferred revenue from UltraLine Series3 gateways.

 

   

Fiscal first quarter net income of $1.6 million, or $0.02 per diluted share. Non-GAAP net income during the fiscal first quarter of $2.9 million[1], or $0.04 per diluted share[1].

 

   

First profitable quarter since March 2007.

 

   

Cash and cash equivalents increased by $3.2 million in the quarter to $49.2 million.

Westell Technologies Reports Profitable Fiscal 2010 First Quarter Results

AURORA, IL, July 21, 2009 – Westell Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: WSTL), a leading provider of broadband products, gateways and conferencing services, today announced results for its fiscal first quarter ended June 30, 2009. Total revenue for the fiscal first quarter was $40.5 million, up 6.3% from $38.1 million in the same quarter last year. Net income during the quarter was $1.6 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $5.5 million, or a loss of $0.08 per diluted share, in the same period last year.


On a non-GAAP basis, revenue for the fiscal first quarter was $53.8 million[1], up 41.4%[1] from the same quarter last year. The increase in the current quarter compared to the prior-year quarter is due primarily to shipments of UltraLine Series3 gateways, which started in the fiscal third quarter of 2009. Non-GAAP net income during the fiscal first quarter was $2.9 million[1], or $0.04 per diluted share[1], compared to a non-GAAP net loss of $5.6 million[1], or a loss of $0.08 per diluted share[1], in the prior year. The non-GAAP earnings per share were positively impacted by increased shipments, higher gross profits and lower operating expenses that resulted from recent restructuring and cost containment initiatives.

Total cash and cash equivalents were $49.2 million at June 30, 2009, up $3.2 million compared to the balance at March 31, 2009.

“We are pleased with our solid results for the first quarter of fiscal 2010, which is the first profitable quarter for Westell since March of 2007,” commented Rick Gilbert, President and Chief Executive Officer of Westell Technologies. “Although current economic conditions make future financial results very hard to predict, we remain rigorously focused on profit and cash generation for the remainder of the fiscal year.”

The Company supplements its financial analysis of the business using non-GAAP measures which may provide additional insight into current operating performance. The presentation at the end of this press release includes financial tables that reconcile non-GAAP measures to GAAP measures. There are two non-GAAP adjustments affecting the fiscal first quarter of 2010. First, during the quarter, the Company continued to ship UltraLine Series3 next-generation gateways which support a major customer’s fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) offering. Fiscal first quarter revenues totaling $13.3 million, together with certain related direct costs for these product shipments, are deferred and not recognized in the quarter, based on the required accounting for related software deliverables. This adjustment adds $0.7 million to non-GAAP net income for the quarter. Second, the Company recognized restructuring expense of $0.6 million in the quarter that represents the termination benefits for 50 employees whose positions were eliminated to reduce ongoing operating costs.

Conference Call Information

Management will address financial and business results during Westell’s first quarter fiscal 2010 earnings conference call on Wednesday, July 22, 9:30 AM ET. Conference Plus, Inc. (ConferencePlus), a Westell subsidiary, will manage Westell’s earnings conference call using its EventManager™ Service.


Participants can register for the Westell conference by going to the URL:

http://www.conferenceplus.com/westell.

With EventManager, participants can quickly register online in advance of the conference through a customizable web page that can be used to gather multiple pieces of information from each participant, as specified by the event arranger. After registering, participants receive dial-in numbers, a passcode, and a personal identification number (PIN) that is used to uniquely identify their presence and automatically join them into the audio conference. If a participant experiences any technical difficulties after joining the conference call on July 22, he or she can press *0 for support.

If a participant does not wish to register, he or she can participate in the call on July 22, by dialing ConferencePlus at 1-877-875-0056 no later than 9:15 AM, Eastern Time and using confirmation number 24962143. International participants may dial 1-847-585-4340. Westell’s press release on earnings and related information that may be discussed on the earnings conference will be posted on the Investor Relations’ section of Westell’s website, http://www.westell.com. An archive of the entire conference will be available on Westell’s website or via Digital Audio Replay following the conclusion of the conference until October 21, 2009. The replay of the conference can be accessed by dialing 1-888-843-8996 or 1-630-652-3044 and entering 9783733#.

About Westell

Westell Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, is a holding company for Westell, Inc. and ConferencePlus, Inc. Westell, Inc. designs and develops broadband telecommunications access products. ConferencePlus, Inc. is a leading global provider of audio, web, video and IP conferencing services. Additional information can be obtained by visiting Westell’s Web site at http://www.westell.com.

About ConferencePlus

ConferencePlus, a Westell Technologies, Inc. subsidiary, is a leading global provider of audio, web, video and IP conferencing services. ConferencePlus is dedicated to providing high quality, innovative conferencing solutions to its domestic and international clients and telecommunications resellers. ConferencePlus is recognized for outstanding customer service and support to help clients meet their business objectives. The Company is headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois, with an international headquarters in Dublin, Ireland. Additional information can be obtained by visiting the ConferencePlus web site at http://www.conferenceplus.com.

“Safe Harbor” statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995:

Certain statements contained herein that are not historical facts or that contain the words “believe”, “expect”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “plan”, “should”, or derivatives thereof and other words of similar meaning are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, product demand and market acceptance risks, need for financing, economic weakness in the United States (“U.S.”) economy and telecommunications market, the impact of competitive products or technologies, competitive pricing pressures, product cost increases, new product development, excess and obsolete inventory, commercialization and technological delays or difficulties (including delays or difficulties in developing,


producing, testing and selling new products and technologies), the effect of Westell’s accounting policies, the need for additional capital, the effect of economic conditions and trade, legal social and economic risks (such as import, licensing and trade restrictions), retention of key personnel and other risks more fully described in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 under the section entitled Risk Factors. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect current events or circumstances after the date hereof, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise.

 

[1] This is non-GAAP information. A reconciliation of these items to the most comparable GAAP measures is presented as an exhibit to this news release. Except as noted, all references to financial results within this news release are presented in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Non-GAAP financial measures adjust results to remove the effects of certain unusual or one-time items. Westell believes that non-GAAP measures provide investors and management with a useful representation of the Company’s underlying financial performance. Non-GAAP information should not be considered superior to or a substitute for data prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Financial Tables to Follow:


Westell Technologies, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations

(Amounts in thousands except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months ended June 30,  
     2009     2008  

Revenues

    

OSPlant Systems

   $ 13,776      $ 14,882   

CNS

     15,585        10,666   

ConferencePlus

     11,113        12,510   
                

Total revenues

     40,474        38,058   
                

Gross profit

    

OSPlant Systems

     5,994        5,909   

CNS

     3,336        1,348   

ConferencePlus

     5,449        5,590   
                

Total gross profit

     14,779        12,847   
                

Gross margin

    

OSPlant Systems

     43.5     39.7

CNS

     21.4     12.6

ConferencePlus

     49.0     44.7
                

Total gross margin

     36.5     33.8
                

Operating expenses

    

Sales & marketing

     4,938        6,489   

General & administrative

     3,772        5,485   

Research & development

     3,687        5,634   

Restructuring

     609 (1)      (58 )(2) 

Intangibles amortization

     157        459   
                

Total operating expenses

     13,163        18,009   
                

Operating income (loss)

     1,616        (5,162

Other income

     91        347   

Interest (expense)

     (2     —     
                

Income (loss) before minority interest and taxes

     1,705        (4,815
                

Income taxes

     154        27   

Minority interest

     —          36   
                

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     1,551        (4,878
                

Income (loss) from discontinued operations net of tax of $0 in the June 30, 2008 period

     —          (643 )(3) 
                

Net income (loss)

   $ 1,551      $ (5,521
                

Net income (loss) per common share:

    

Basic

   $ 0.02      $ (0.08

Diluted

   $ 0.02      $ (0.08

Average number of common shares outstanding:

    

Basic

     68,356        70,723   

Diluted

     68,442        70,723   

 

(1) The Company terminated approximately 50 employees primarily in the CNS and ConferencePlus segments as a cost reduction action in the first quarter of fiscal 2010.
(2) The Company adjusted a restructuring accrual balance established in a prior period.
(3) The Company discontinued the operations of its Westell Limited entity located in the United Kingdom in the first quarter of fiscal 2009.


Westell Technologies, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

(Dollars in thousands)

 

     June 30,
2009
   March 31,
2009
   June 30,
2008
     (unaudited)    (audited)    (unaudited)

Assets:

        

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 49,238    $ 46,058    $ 59,949

Accounts receivable, net

     22,325      20,827      18,704

Inventories

     16,971      20,178      16,844

Prepaids and other current assets

     5,950      7,487      2,329
                    

Total current assets

     94,484      94,550      97,826

Property and equipment, net

     6,438      6,895      8,901

Goodwill

     2,062      2,009      3,287

Intangibles, net

     4,301      4,333      5,956

Deferred costs

     37,207      24,612      —  

Deferred income taxes and other assets

     7,643      7,777      7,645
                    

Total assets

   $ 152,135    $ 140,176    $ 123,615
                    

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:

        

Accounts payable

   $ 15,400    $ 17,883    $ 13,182

Accrued liabilities

     8,250      9,479      10,608

Deferred revenue

     2,141      2,119      116
                    

Total current liabilities

     25,791      29,481      23,906

Deferred revenue long-term

     38,587      25,258      —  

Other long-term liabilities

     9,310      9,079      7,825
                    

Total liabilities

     73,688      63,818      31,731

Minority interest

     —        —        3,346
                    

Total stockholders’ equity

     78,447      76,358      88,538
                    

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 152,135    $ 140,176    $ 123,615
                    


Westell Technologies, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three months ended
June 30,
 
     2009     2008  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income (loss)

   $ 1,551      $ (5,521

Reconciliation of net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     978        1,500   

Stock-based compensation

     189        375   

Restructuring

     609        156   

Other, net

     (100     (40

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable and inventory

     1,933        1,872   

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     (4,165     (5,955

Long term deferred revenue and deferred costs

     756        —     

Prepaid and other current assets

     1,562        675   

Other long term assets

     119        (588
                

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     3,432        (7,526
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Purchases of property and equipment

     (331     (1,205

Proceeds from the sale of equipment

     —          90   

Sale (purchase) of investments

     —          2,602   
                

Net cash (provided by) used in investing activities

     (331     1,487   
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Borrowing (repayment) of debt and leases payable

     (14     125   

Proceeds from stock options exercised

     —          121   
                

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (14     246   
                

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     93        (5
                

Net increase (decrease) in cash

     3,180        (5,798

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     46,058        65,747   
                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 49,238      $ 59,949   
                


Westell Technologies, Inc.

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss)

(Amounts in thousands except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months ended June 30, 2009     Three Months ended June 30, 2008  
     As
reported
    Non-GAAP
Adjustments
    Non-GAAP     As
reported
    Non-GAAP
Adjustments
    Non-GAAP  

Revenues

            

OSPlant Systems

   $ 13,776      $ —        $ 13,776      $ 14,882      $ —        $ 14,882   

CNS

     15,585        13,329 (1)      28,914        10,666        —          10,666   

ConferencePlus

     11,113        —          11,113        12,510        —          12,510   
                                                

Total revenues

     40,474        13,329        53,803        38,058        —          38,058   
                                                

Gross profit

            

OSPlant Systems

     5,994        —          5,994        5,909        —          5,909   

CNS

     3,336        734 (2)      4,070        1,348        —          1,348   

ConferencePlus

     5,449        —          5,449        5,590        —          5,590   
                                                

Total gross profit

     14,779        734        15,513        12,847        —          12,847   

Gross margin

            

OSPlant Systems

     43.5       43.5     39.7       39.7

CNS

     21.4       14.1     12.6       12.6

ConferencePlus

     49.0       49.0     44.7       44.7
                                    

Total gross margin

     36.5       28.8     33.8       33.8

Total operating expenses

     13,163        (609 )(3)      12,554        18,009        58 (3)      18,067   
                                                

Operating income (loss)

     1,616        1,343        2,959        (5,162     (58     (5,220

Other income

     91        —          91        347        —          347   

Interest (expense)

     (2     —          (2     —          —          —     
                                                

Income (loss) before minority interest and taxes

     1,705        1,343        3,048        (4,815     (58     (4,873
                                                

Income tax

     154        —   (4)      154        27        —          27   

Minority interest

     —          —          —          36        —          36   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations net of tax

     —          —          —          (643     —          (643
                                                

Net income (loss)

   $ 1,551      $ 1,343      $ 2,894      $ (5,521   $ (58   $ (5,579
                                                

Net income (loss) per common share:

            

Basic

   $ 0.02      $ 0.02      $ 0.04      $ (0.08   $ (0.00   $ (0.08

Diluted

   $ 0.02      $ 0.02      $ 0.04      $ (0.08   $ (0.00   $ (0.08

Average number of common shares outstanding:

            

Basic

     68,356        68,356        68,356        70,723        70,723        70,723   

Diluted

     68,442        68,442        68,442        70,723        70,723        70,723   

 

Footnotes:

(1) Adjustment to revenue to include the shipments of UltraLine Series3 (ULS3) product, which are deferred under GAAP software accounting rules.
(2) Adjustment to gross profit to include the shipments of ULS3 product, which are deferred under GAAP software accounting rules.
(3) Adjustment to exclude non-recurring restructuring costs.
(4) The Company has a full valuation allowance on deferred tax assets. The net tax impact of the adjustments is zero based on the Company’s use of fully reserved tax assets to offset tax liabilities.


Westell Technologies, Inc.

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss)

(Amounts in thousands except per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months ended June 30,  
     2009    2008  

GAAP net income (loss)

   $ 1,551    $ (5,521

Adjustments:(1)

     

UltraLine Series 3 shipments

     734      —     

Restructuring

     609      (58
               

Total adjustments

     1,343      (58
               

Non-GAAP net income (loss)

   $ 2,894    $ (5,579
               

Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted EPS:

     

GAAP net income (loss)

   $ 0.02    $ (0.08

Adjustments:

     

UltraLine Series 3 shipments

     0.01      —     

Restructuring

     0.01      (0.00
               

Total adjustments

     0.02      (0.00
               

Non-GAAP net income (loss)

   $ 0.04    $ (0.08
               

 

Footnotes:

(1) Adjustments are net of tax impacts of $0 in both periods presented.