CPI AEROSTRUCTURES, INC. 8-K

EXHIBIT 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CPI AEROSTRUCTURES ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER

AND FULL YEAR 2017 FINANCIAL RESULTS

– Company Reports 2017 Pre-Tax Income at Upper End of Range of Guidance, Operating Cash Flow in Excess of Expectations; Defense Backlog at $301.3 Million –

– Separately Company Announces Acquisition of Aerospace Component and Assemblies Manufacturer Welding Metallurgy, Inc. –

– Management to Host Conference Call at 8:30 a.m. ET Today –

Edgewood, NY – March 22, 2018 – CPI Aerostructures, Inc. (“CPI Aero^®”) (NYSE MKT: CVU) today reported fourth-quarter and full-year 2017 financial results.

Full Year 2017 vs. Full Year 2016

Fourth Quarter 2017 vs. Fourth Quarter 2016

“Fiscal 2017 was a turning point for CPI Aero during which we returned to annual profitability and positive operating cash flow while continuing to execute on our defense-market growth strategy. I am especially pleased to report pre-tax income at the upper range of our financial guidance and operating cash flow in excess of our expectations reflecting the benefits gained from an improved cost structure and leaner operations,” stated Douglas McCrosson, president and chief executive officer. “During the year, our strategic focus on the defense market gave us a year-end backlog of $301.3 million that includes awards for some of the most advanced military aircraft programs, notably the Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lighting II, Sikorsky’s UH-60 Black Hawk, and UTC’s TacSAR reconnaissance system, as well as new awards or contracts extensions on current platforms. Long-term defense budget trends should continue to drive top-line opportunities for defense primes and larger tier 1 suppliers, and we expect to continue to win our fair share based on our growing reputation in the military supply chain as a high quality, lower cost alternative to in-house assembly work.”

2018 Financial Guidance

CPI Aero issued full-year 2018 financial guidance assuming the Company closes the acquisition of WMI on May 1, 2018:

Commenting on the Company’s financial guidance for fiscal 2018, Mr. McCrosson stated, “Our financial guidance for fiscal 2018, which includes the addition of WMI for the last eight months of the year, excludes the contributions from new program awards that have been delayed as the Department of Defense continues to operate on a continuing resolution basis in addition to near-term uncertainty over the U.S. defense budget priorities. Having implemented operational improvements over the past three years, we are committed to increasing top-line growth by fully leveraging our improved cost structure and enhanced competitiveness. Rather than wait for budgetary resolutions, we are actively exploring inorganic growth, targeting opportunities that will give us more defense content and ensure we are on a growth trajectory. As an example, the announced acquisition of WMI today further aligns us to long-term defense industry trends with unique capabilities and complimentary programs and customers.

“In pursuit of organic growth, we recently added executive level leadership with extensive experience at a leading global defense company to head our business development and strategy across key growth segments, particularly in the areas of electronic warfare (EW), intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), and autonomous systems. With a multi-pronged strategy to growth in fiscal 2018 – our backlog, a strong bid pipeline of key growth segments and additional opportunities – we have the tools to ensure our long-term success,” concluded Mr. McCrosson.

Conference Call
Management will host a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss the company’s results as well as recent corporate developments. After opening remarks, there will be a question and answer period. Interested parties may participate in the call by dialing 844-378-6486 or 412-542-4181. Please call in 10 minutes before the conference call is scheduled to begin. The conference call will also be broadcast live over the Internet. Additionally, a slide presentation will accompany the conference call. To listen to the live call, please go to www.cpiaero.com, click on the Investor Relations section, then to the Event Calendar. If you are unable to listen live, the conference call will be archived and can be accessed for approximately 90 days.

About CPI Aero

CPI Aero is a U.S. manufacturer of structural assemblies for fixed wing aircraft, helicopters and airborne Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance pod systems in both the commercial aerospace and national security markets. Within the global aerostructure supply chain, CPI Aero is either a Tier 1 supplier to aircraft OEMs or a Tier 2 subcontractor to major Tier 1 manufacturers. CPI also is a prime contractor to the U.S. Department of Defense, primarily the Air Force. In conjunction with its assembly operations, CPI Aero provides engineering, program management, supply chain management, and MRO services. CPI Aero is included in the Russell Microcap® Index.

The above statements include forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, which are described from time to time in CPI Aero's SEC reports, including CPI Aero's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, and Form 10-Q for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2017, June 30, 2017, and September 30, 2017.

CPI Aero® is a registered trademark of CPI Aerostructures, Inc.

For more information, visit www.cpiaero.com, and follow us on Twitter @CPIAERO.

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CPI AEROSTRUCTURES, INC.

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

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