LaserBond Posts 14% H2 Revenue Growth, $2.3M Komatsu Licensing Deal

Leadership Transition Marks New Chapter

LaserBond’s 2025 Annual General Meeting highlighted a significant leadership change as Wayne Hooper concluded his tenure as CEO, transitioning to an Executive Director role. His successor, Rob Freeman, brings two decades of manufacturing leadership and prior familiarity with LaserBond’s culture and business model. This overlap promises a blend of institutional knowledge and fresh strategic thinking as the company embarks on its next growth phase.

Freeman’s address underscored his commitment to disciplined growth, innovation, and customer-centricity, setting a tone of purposeful leadership aimed at scaling the business sustainably.

Financial Performance Reflects Strategic Investments

FY25 results tell a tale of two halves. While the first half absorbed the costs of capability building, workforce expansion, and technology upgrades, the second half delivered a robust turnaround. Revenue climbed 14.2% in H2 to $23.2 million, contributing to a full-year revenue increase of 3.6% to $43.5 million. Net profit after tax rose 10.4% to $3.8 million, with a striking 169.5% jump in H2 NPAT to $2.8 million.

This improvement was driven by the full productivity of newly hired skilled staff, operational efficiencies, and cost-reduction initiatives. The company also recorded its best-ever production output months, signaling that prior investments are now translating into tangible commercial gains.

Technology Commercialisation and Licensing Momentum

LaserBond’s modular laser cladding technology is emerging as a key growth driver. The company’s 40% stake in Gateway has facilitated expansion into Western Australia, where the first modular laser cladding cell is operational and generating revenue. This technology is enabling Gateway to diversify beyond its traditional mining customer base.

Notably, LaserBond secured a $2.3 million licensing deal with Komatsu, a global leader in earthmoving and mining equipment, marking a significant commercial validation of its technology. Additional licensing agreements are reportedly in advanced negotiation stages, underscoring a promising pipeline for future revenue streams.

Strategic Pause on US Expansion Amid Global Uncertainty

In response to heightened geopolitical and economic volatility, LaserBond has deferred its planned entry into the United States market. The decision allows the company to focus on strengthening its domestic operations, where recent investments are already yielding positive outcomes. While the US remains a strategic priority, the company is taking a cautious approach to manage risks associated with tariffs, regulations, and market dynamics.

Innovation Pipeline and Digital Integration

LaserBond continues to invest heavily in research and development, with a new product range, X-Clad™, slated for launch in the first half of 2026. This range targets markets requiring extreme wear and erosion resistance at competitive pricing, spanning industries from mining to energy and food processing.

The company is also embracing a 'Digital First' strategy, incorporating AI-powered analytics into customer relationship management and operational processes to enhance efficiency and decision-making. This digital integration aims to support scalable growth while maintaining agility.