CEO Stephen Keen said, “Throughout 2015 and 2016, we believe we have furthered our transformation to become one of the leading technology companies with cannabis expertise, energy-optimized products and turnkey cultivation solutions. First quarter 2016 results reflect our team’s tremendous efforts as we nearly tripled revenue compared to the prior year’s quarter and delivered operating income for the first time in the company’s history.

“Surna systems’ sales momentum continues to see strong growth. Also, we are nearing fulfillment of a purchase order for over 400 Reflectors for use in a commercial facility. We expect completing our first installation of this magnitude will provide Surna with significant data to optimize the Reflector and installation protocol in scale. As typical with cannabis licensing and facility construction, there were delays and, therefore, the Reflector delivery was postponed. In the meantime, we seized the opportunity to advance the Reflector and incorporate an interactive control system that will allow for facility temperature control using the cooling power of the Reflector itself. We believe we will begin shipments this quarter and remain quite confident this installation will provide important validation of our products and technologies.

“In 2016, we are focused on execution. Our strategic priorities are expanding sales of core products including our water chillers and dehumidifiers; commercializing our Reflector products; demonstrating our hybrid building concept in pilot form; capitalizing on the positive trends in the regulatory environment; and, ultimately, creating shareholder value.”

Results for First Quarter: 2016 Compared to 2015

• Revenue grew over 200% to $2.5 million, compared to $819,000, reflecting sales momentum and greater demand as more states legalized cannabis.
• Gross margin improved to 43.6% from 10.8%, reflecting favorable product mix and the benefit of a new pricing schedule.
• Operating expenses were $724,000, compared to $968,000. While management continues to seek lower operating expense as a percentage of revenue, absolute expenses are expected to increase.
  • Advertising and marketing expenses were $14,000, down from $31,000, reflecting the prioritization and management of costs. Advertising and marketing spend is expected to increase in the second half of the year when the company has more frequent large trade events.
  • Product development costs decreased to $106,000, compared to $181,000 as the Reflector moved from R&D to production.
  • SG&A expenses were reduced to $601,000, compared to $756,000 as management improved operating efficiencies, reduced personnel costs and focused on cost containment.
• Advertising and marketing expenses were $14,000, down from $31,000, reflecting the prioritization and management of costs. Advertising and marketing spend is expected to increase in the second half of the year when the company has more frequent large trade events.
• Product development costs decreased to $106,000, compared to $181,000 as the Reflector moved from R&D to production.
• SG&A expenses were reduced to $601,000, compared to $756,000 as management improved operating efficiencies, reduced personnel costs and focused on cost containment.
• Operating income improved to $365,000, from an operating loss of $880,000.
• Net loss was $746,000, or $0.01 per share, compared to $1.4 million, or $0.01 per share. The non-cash derivative mark-to-market charge was $422,000, compared to a gain of $48,000 in the first quarter of 2015.

As of March 31, 2016, cash was $1.1 million, compared to $331,000 at December 31, 2015. Deferred revenue was $1.4 million, up from $986,000. Deferred revenue represents contracts in progress, as the company recognizes revenue as products are shipped or services are performed.

First Quarter 2016 Highlights

• Secured a contract for approximately $725,000 with Las Vegas cultivator Cloud 9 Wholesale for a facility that covers 30,000 square feet, which will require approximately 550 tons of cooling equipment for cultivation climate control.
• Received four design patents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for its Surna Reflector products that deliver more direct light to the canopy while providing unique thermodynamic characteristics that improve heat transfer from the cultivation area. Surna now has eight pending patent applications and four issued patents.
• Appointed Ellen White as its Chief Financial Officer. Ms. White served as the director of finance since September 2015 and brings more than 20 years of financial and accounting experience including National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD), Healthgrades, Microsoft, EY and KPMG.

Conference Call

Management will review the results on a conference call today, May 16, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. MT/ 11:00 a.m. ET. To access the conference call, please dial 855-327-6837, if calling from the United States or Canada, or 631-891-4304, if calling internationally, and use passcode 10001215.

A replay of the call will be available until May 20, 2016, which can be accessed by dialing 877-870-5176, if calling from the United States or Canada, or 858-384-5517, if calling internationally. Please use passcode 10001215 to access the replay.

The call will be webcast and available at www.surna.com/investor-relations where a transcript of the call will also be provided shortly after it concludes.

About Surna
Surna Inc. (www.surna.com) develops innovative technologies and products that monitor, control and or address the energy and resource intensive nature of indoor cannabis cultivation. Currently, the company’s revenue stream is based on its main product offerings – supplying industrial technology and products to commercial indoor cannabis grow facilities.

Headquartered in Boulder, CO, Surna’s diverse engineering team is tasked with creating novel energy and resource efficient solutions, including the company’s signature water-cooled climate control platform. The company’s engineers continuously seek to create technology that solve the highly specific demands of the cannabis industry for temperature, humidity, light and process control.

Surna’s goal is to provide intelligent solutions to improve the quality, the control and the overall yield and efficiency of CEA. Though its clients do, the company neither produces nor sells cannabis.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the Company’s future business expectations, which are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual results due to a variety of factors including Surna’s ability to monetize service components, Surna’s support of premium prices for existing products, commercialization of research and development efforts and continued expansion of legal cannabis markets. Other risks and uncertainties include, among others, risks related to new products, services, and technologies, government regulation and taxation, and fraud. In addition, the current global economic climate amplifies many of these risks. More information about factors that potentially could affect Surna’s financial results is included in Surna’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company disclaims any obligation subsequently to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.