Erickson Reports Second Quarter 2015 Results

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Erickson Incorporated EAC ("Erickson," the "Company," "we," "us" and "our"), a leading provider of aviation services and products to a worldwide mix of commercial and government customers, today announced second quarter 2015 financial results.

Jeff Roberts, Chief Executive Officer of Erickson, commented, "Our second quarter results were below expectations as a result of challenges in the oil and gas market, our government business, and a slower than expected start to the firefighting season. Aggressive management of operating expenses, working capital, and capital expenditures partially offset these headwinds. We are re-investing some of these savings into the front end of our business and implementing transformative changes to our operating model. This new operating model will enhance our competitive position, generate sustainable free cash flow, and drive value for our stakeholders."

Recent Developments

• In June 2015, we were awarded a contract to support Repsol's oil and gas operations to provide crew and cargo transport on the North Slope of Alaska.
• In June 2015, we were awarded a one-year contract renewal with the U.S. Department of Transportation to provide weekly, year-round helicopter service for people and cargo between Nome, Wales, and Little Diomede, Alaska.
• In June 2015, we were awarded a contract with Chilcott, Inc. to provide training for Uruguayan Air Force helicopter pilots. Under the agreement, Erickson will train pilots for work on the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• In July 2015, we made the decision to consolidate our operations in the McMinnville facility to our other locations in Portland and Southern Oregon to improve efficiencies and reduce expenses.

Second Quarter Results

Revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2015 was $69.3 million, a decline of $11.6 million compared to prior year. The Company benefited from year-over-year growth in its Manufacturing & MRO business and aircraft sales. These gains were outweighed by continued softness in Government Aviation and, to a lesser extent, a modest decline in Commercial Aviation.

• Manufacturing & MRO revenues increased to $6.6 million as compared to $3.4 million in the prior year period, reflecting the increased aircraft sales, as well as part sales to support the global fleet of Bell 214 helicopters.
• Government Aviation Services revenues decreased to $28.4 million as compared to revenues of $41.9 million in the prior year period, driven primarily by the continued reduction of operational tempo in Afghanistan and other U.S. Department of Defense activity.
• Commercial Aviation Services revenues decreased to $34.3 million as compared to $35.6 million in the prior year period driven primarily by a less intense firefighting season, partially offset by new spot construction jobs in the second quarter.

Second quarter 2015 operating income was $0.2 million as compared to the prior year loss of $17.4 million; adjusted operating income, which excludes acquisition, integration and restructuring expenses, as well as non-cash asset impairment, was also $0.2 million, as compared to $4.6 million in the prior year period.

Second quarter Adjusted EBITDA was $10.3 million as compared to the prior year period Adjusted EBITDA of $13.8 million. Adjusted EBITDAR was $14.5 million in the second quarter of 2015 as compared to $19.0 million in the prior year's second quarter.

During the second quarter of 2015, the Company reduced capital spending to $6.2 million as compared to $19.7 million in the prior year period. Operating Cash Flow improved $22.6 million, to a use of $3.8 million compared to a use of $26.5 million in the prior year's second quarter.

As of June 30, 2015, the Company had $113.7 million drawn on its revolving credit facility (excluding the letters of credit) and $1.8 million in cash on its balance sheet.

About Erickson Incorporated

Erickson is a leading global provider of aviation services and operates, maintains and manufactures utility aircraft to safely transport people and cargo around the world. The Company is self-reliant, multifaceted and operates in remote locations under challenging conditions specializing in Government Services, Manufacturing and MRO, and Commercial Services (comprised of firefighting, HVAC, power line, construction, timber harvesting, oil and gas and specialty lift). With roots dating back to 1960, Erickson operates a fleet of approximately 80 aircraft, is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, USA, and operates in North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, and Australia. For more information, please visit our new website at www.ericksonaviation.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. You can identify forward-looking statements by words such as "believe," "may," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "expect," "predict," "potential," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations but they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties, which include: that we do not realize the benefits from the recently completed the acquisitions of both Evergreen Helicopters and Air Amazonia and we may not realize the benefits of these acquisitions on a timely basis or at all; our ability to integrate these businesses successfully or in a timely and cost-efficient manner; our ability to successfully expand these businesses, enter new markets and manage international expansion; that we do not have extensive operating history in the aerial services segments, in the geographic areas, or with the types of aircraft historically operated by Evergreen Helicopters and Air Amazonia; that the anticipated reduction in troops in Afghanistan in the near-term may adversely affect us; that we operate in certain dangerous and war-affected areas, which may result in hazards to our fleet and personnel; the hazards associated with our helicopter operations, which involve significant risks and which may result in hazards that may not be covered by our insurance or may increase the cost of our insurance; our safety record; our substantial indebtedness; that we and our subsidiaries may still incur significant additional indebtedness; our failure to obtain any required financing on favorable terms; compliance with debt obligations, which could adversely affect our financial condition and impair our ability to grow and operate our business; cancellations, reductions or delays in customer orders; our ability to collect on customer receivables; weather and seasonal fluctuations that impact aerial services activities; competition; reliance on a small number of large customers; the impact of short-term contracts; the availability and size of our fleet; the impact of government spending; the impact of product liability and product warranties; the ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; the impact of environmental and other regulations, including FAA regulations and similar international regulations; our ability to accurately forecast financial guidance; our ability to convert backlog into revenues and appropriately plan expenses; worldwide economic conditions (including conditions in Greece, Italy and the other geographic areas in which we operate); our reliance on a small number of manufacturers; the necessity to provide components or services to owners and operators of aircraft; our ability to effectively manage our growth; our ability to keep pace with changes in technology; our ability to adequately protect our intellectual property; our ability to successfully enter new markets and manage international expansion; our ability to expand and market manufacturing and maintenance, repair and overhaul services; the potential unionization of our employees; the fluctuation in the price of fuel; the impact of changes in the value of foreign currencies; and the risks of doing business in developing countries and politically or economically volatile areas; as well as other risks and uncertainties more fully described under the heading "Risk Factors" in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2015, as well as the other reports we file with the SEC from time to time.

You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Erickson assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable laws.

Conference Call

The Company will hold a conference call to discuss its earnings results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2015 on August 6, 2015 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time with prepared remarks by Jeff Roberts, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, and Eric Struik, the Company's Chief Financial Officer, to be followed by a question and answer session for the investment community. A live webcast of the call can be accessed at investors.ericksonaviation.com. To access the call, dial toll-free 1-888-203-7337 or 1-719-457-2080 (international). The pass code is 9765766.

To listen to a telephonic replay of the conference call, dial toll-free 1-877-870-5176 or 1-858-384-5517 (international) and enter pass code 9765766. The replay will be available beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET on August 6, 2015, and will last through 11:59 p.m. ET August 20, 2015.

This conference call will also be broadcast live over the Internet and can be accessed by all interested parties by clicking on http://investors.ericksonaviation.com/. Please access the link at least fifteen minutes prior to the start of the call to register, download, and install any necessary audio software. For those unable to participate during the live broadcast, a replay will be available shortly after the call by accessing the same link.

— FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW —

ERICKSON INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
					June 30, 2015							December 31, 2014
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents					$		1,766					$		5,097
Restricted cash					359							567
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $191 and $739 in 2015
and 2014, respectively					48,454							44,350
Inventory					8,667							—
Prepaid expenses and other current assets					8,433							8,780
Income tax receivable					609							677
Deferred tax assets					1,340							1,230
Total current assets					69,628							60,701
Aircraft support parts, net					136,727							137,593
Assets held for sale					8,436							—
Aircraft, net					112,611							128,221
Property, plant and equipment, net					116,804							120,635
Goodwill					164,756							215,241
Other intangible assets, net					18,749							20,053
Other non-current assets					21,851							23,077
Total assets					$		649,562					$		705,521
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable					$		19,487					$		19,844
Current portion of long-term debt					4,702							4,144
Accrued and other current liabilities					22,279							19,034
Income tax payable					28							315
Deferred tax liabilities					—							884
Total current liabilities					46,496							44,221
Long-term debt					13,986							12,751
Long-term revolving credit facilities					113,710							89,339
Long-term notes payable					355,000							355,000
Other long-term liabilities					16,876							13,181
Uncertain tax positions					6,668							6,313
Deferred tax liabilities					3,159							3,703
Total liabilities					555,895							524,508
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock; $0.0001 par value; 110,000,000 shares authorized; 13,833,174 and
13,823,818 issued and outstanding at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014,
respectively					1							1
Additional paid-in capital					181,083							181,018
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)					(83,279			)				1,812
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax					(4,544			)				(2,544			)
Total stockholders' equity attributable to Erickson Incorporated					93,261							180,287
Noncontrolling interest					406							726
Total stockholders' equity					93,667							181,013
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity					$		649,562					$		705,521

ERICKSON INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
					Three Months Ended June 30,												Six Months Ended June 30,
					2015						2014						2015						2014
Net revenues:
Government Aviation Services					$	28,391					$	41,878					$	61,266					$	83,411
Commercial Aviation Services					34,319						35,639						60,572						65,545
Manufacturing & MRO					6,609						3,368						13,643						6,113
Total revenues					69,319						80,885						135,481						155,069
Cost of revenues:
Government Aviation Services					26,274						33,603						54,787						68,823
Commercial Aviation Services					30,633						30,634						61,573						60,244
Manufacturing & MRO					4,680						3,264						10,015						5,092
Total cost of revenues					61,587						67,501						126,375						134,159
Gross profit					7,732						13,384						9,106						20,910
Operating expenses:
General and administrative					5,661						6,994						12,599						13,791
Research and development					583						738						1,461						2,056
Selling and marketing					1,330						1,810						3,085						4,044
Impairment of goodwill					—						21,272						49,823						21,272
Other asset impairment					—						—						7,143						—
Total operating expenses					7,574						30,814						74,111						41,163
Operating income (loss)					158						(17,430		)				(65,005		)				(20,253		)
Other expense:
Interest expense, net					(9,375		)				(9,111		)				(18,587		)				(17,864		)
Other expense, net					(331		)				(843		)				(1,656		)				(1,362		)
Total other expense					(9,706		)				(9,954		)				(20,243		)				(19,226		)
Net loss before income taxes and noncontrolling interest					(9,548		)				(27,384		)				(85,248		)				(39,479		)
Income tax expense (benefit)					691						(10,222		)				74						(14,792		)
Net loss					(10,239		)				(17,162		)				(85,322		)				(24,687		)
Less: Net (income) loss related to noncontrolling interest					118						53						231						(16		)
Net loss attributable to Erickson Incorporated and common stockholders					$	(10,121	)				$	(17,109	)				$	(85,091	)				$	(24,703	)
Net loss					$	(10,239	)				$	(17,162	)				$	(85,322	)				$	(24,687	)
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustment					502						476						(2,089		)				806
Comprehensive loss					(9,737		)				(16,686		)				(87,411		)				(23,881		)
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest					84						66						320						(3		)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Erickson Incorporated					$	(9,653	)				$	(16,620	)				$	(87,091	)				$	(23,884	)
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders
Basic					$	(0.73	)				$	(1.24	)				$	(6.15	)				$	(1.79	)
Diluted					$	(0.73	)				$	(1.24	)				$	(6.15	)				$	(1.79	)
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic					13,831,127						13,799,501						13,827,493						13,794,491
Diluted					13,831,127						13,799,501						13,827,493						13,794,491

ERICKSON INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
					Three Months Ended June 30,														Six Months Ended June 30,
					2015							2014							2015							2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss					$		(10,239	)				$		(17,162	)				$		(85,322	)				$		(24,687	)
Adjustments to reconcile loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization					9,898							8,981							18,716							16,934
Impairment of goodwill					—							21,272							49,823							21,272
Other asset impairment					—							—							7,143							—
Deferred income taxes					(269			)				(12,756			)				(1,687			)				(16,740			)
Non-cash interest expense on debt					229							93							406							130
Stock-based compensation					(48			)				236							97							396
Amortization of debt issuance costs					630							593							1,254							1,214
Gain on sale of equipment					(76			)				(61			)				(70			)				(191			)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable					3,587							(12,306			)				(4,472			)				1,570
Inventory					487							—							(8,666			)				—
Prepaid expenses and other current assets					366							(307			)				142							(906			)
Income tax receivable					(195			)				788							68							946
Aircraft support parts, net					1,564							(4,851			)				41							(12,715			)
Other non-current assets					294							1,581							2,684							3,126
Accounts payable					2,230							(1,264			)				25							731
Accrued and other current liabilities					(12,933			)				(12,298			)				4,514							(16,341			)
Income tax payable					344							717							(257			)				717
Other long-term liabilities					282							264							3,971							558
Net cash used in operating activities					(3,849			)				(26,480			)				(11,590			)				(23,986			)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of aircraft and property, plant and equipment, net					(6,165			)				(19,655			)				(11,839			)				(37,138			)
Proceeds from sale-leaseback of aircraft					—							24,660							—							24,660
Restricted cash					175							1,567							124							1,767
Dividends paid to non-controlling interest					—							(73			)				—							(73			)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities					(5,990			)				6,499							(11,715			)				(10,784			)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from shareholders, net					—							—							—							414
Repayments of subordinated notes					(1,000			)				—							(2,000			)				—
Repayments of credit facilities					(38,971			)				(54,723			)				(73,182			)				(79,123			)
Borrowings from credit facilities					48,756							73,264							97,553							113,131
Other long-term borrowings					(36			)				393							(84			)				393
Payments under capital leases					(200			)				—							(340			)				—
Debt issuance costs					(67			)				(37			)				(137			)				(267			)
Shares withheld for payment of taxes					(32			)				(166			)				(32			)				(166			)
Net cash provided by financing activities					8,450							18,731							21,778							34,382
Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents					281							484							(1,804			)				951
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents					(1,108			)				(766			)				(3,331			)				563
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period					2,874							3,210							5,097							1,881
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period					$		1,766					$		2,444					$		1,766					$		2,444
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest					$		16,503					$		16,267					$		18,097					$		17,536
Cash paid for income taxes, net					$		499					$		375					$		1,267					$		861

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company uses adjusted EBITDA ("Adjusted EBITDA") in managing our business. We define EBITDA as net income (loss) before interest expense, net, provision for (benefit from) income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA means, with respect to any fiscal period, our EBITDA, adjusted for, without duplication, the sum of the following amounts for such period to the extent included in determining consolidated net earnings (or loss) for such period: (i) extraordinary gains, (ii) non-cash items increasing consolidated net earnings (or loss) for such period, excluding any items representing the impact of purchase accounting or the reversal of any accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated changes in any period, (iii) non-cash extraordinary losses, (iv) any other non-cash charges reducing consolidated net earnings for such period, excluding any such charge that represents an accrual or reserve for a cash expenditure for a future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period, (v) to the extent not capitalized, (A) non-recurring expenses, fees, costs and charges incurred and funded prior to, on or within 9 months after the closing date in connection with the ABL Revolver and the Evergreen Helicopters acquisition; and (B) expenses incurred and funded prior to, on, or within 2 years of the closing date in connection with the termination of the lease for the location that was the chief executive office of Evergreen Helicopters as of the closing date; and (vi) transaction related expenditures incurred and funded prior to, on or within 9 months of the date of consummation of (A) the Air Amazonia acquisition, (B) any permitted acquisition under the ABL Revolver, or (C) any investment that is permitted pursuant to the ABL Revolver, in the case of each of (A), (B), and (C), that arise out of cash charges related to deferred stock compensation, management bonuses, strategic market reviews, restructuring, retention bonuses, consolidation, severance or discontinuance of any portion of operations, termination of the lease for the headquarters of Evergreen Helicopters, employees or management of the target of such permitted acquisition, accrued vacation payments and working notices payments and other non-cash accounting adjustments. We have further adjusted EBITDA for continued acquisition and integration costs beyond the nine months defined by our Revolving Credit Facility agreement and the restructuring costs associated with exiting the Malaysian timber harvesting market and right-sizing of our business.

The Company also uses adjusted EBITDAR in managing our business. Adjusted EBITDAR is determined by adding aircraft lease expense to adjusted EBITDA. We present Adjusted EBITDAR because we believe this provides us with a more comparable measure for managing our business.

The Company also uses adjusted net income (loss), adjusted operating income (loss), and adjusted net income (loss) per share, in managing our business. We define adjusted operating income (loss) as operating income (loss) attributable to the Company, adjusted to exclude the effect of acquisition, impairment, restructuring, integration and related expenses. We define adjusted net income (loss) as net income (loss) attributable to the Company, adjusted to exclude the effect of acquisition and integration related expenses and related tax effects. We define adjusted net income (loss) per share in the same manner, divided by the same number of shares of common stock used in calculating GAAP net income (loss) per share. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for our financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP, and should not be considered measures of the Company's liquidity. The non-GAAP financial measures are provided as additional information to help both management and investors compare business trends among different reporting periods on a consistent and more meaningful basis and enhance investors' overall understanding of the Company's current financial performance and prospects for the future.

The following tables reconcile the non-GAAP financial measures appearing in this press release to the most directly comparable GAAP measures:

					Three Months Ended June 30,														Six Months Ended June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)					2015							2014							2015							2014
EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR Reconciliation:
Net loss attributable to Erickson Incorporated					$		(10,121	)				$		(17,109	)				$		(85,091	)				$		(24,703	)
Interest expense, net					9,375							9,111							18,587							17,864
Tax expense (benefit)					691							(10,222			)				74							(14,792			)
Depreciation and amortization					9,898							8,981							18,716							16,934
Amortization of debt issuance costs					630							593							1,254							1,214
EBITDA					$		10,473					$		(8,646	)				$		(46,460	)				$		(3,483	)
Acquisition and integration related expenses					—							631							—							1,422
Non-cash unrealized mark-to-market foreign exchange (gains) losses					(57			)				(27			)				379							(244			)
Non-cash charges from awards to employees of equity interests					(48			)				236							97							396
Non-cash goodwill impairment loss					—							21,272							49,823							21,272
Non-cash other asset impairment losses					—							—							7,143							—
Restructuring costs					54							414							1,598							414
Gain on sale of equipment					(76			)				(61			)				(70			)				(191			)
Adjusted EBITDA					$		10,346					$		13,819					$		12,510					$		19,586
Aircraft lease expenses					4,122							5,149							8,639							10,108
Adjusted EBITDAR					$		14,468					$		18,968					$		21,149					$		29,694

					Three Months Ended June 30,														Six Months Ended June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)					2015							2014							2015							2014
Operating Income (Loss) and Adjusted Operating Income   (Loss) Reconciliation
Operating income (loss)					$		158					$		(17,430	)				$		(65,005	)				$		(20,253	)
Acquisition and integration related expenses					—							631							—							1,422
Non-cash goodwill impairment loss					—							21,272							49,823							21,272
Non-cash other asset impairment losses					—							—							7,143							—
Restructuring costs					54							146							1,598							146
Adjusted operating income (loss)					$		212					$		4,619					$		(6,441	)				$		2,587
Net Loss and Adjusted Net Loss Reconciliation
Net loss attributable to Erickson Incorporated					$		(10,121	)				$		(17,109	)				$		(85,091	)				$		(24,703	)
Acquisition and integration related expenses					—							631							—							1,422
Non-cash goodwill impairment loss					—							21,272							49,823							21,272
Non-cash other asset impairment losses					—							—							7,143							—
Restructuring costs					54							414							1,598							414
Effect of normalized tax rate on 2015 operating results (assumed 40% rate)					4,048							—							11,250							—
Tax effect of 2014 goodwill impairment (assumed 40%) rate					—							(8,509			)				—							(8,509			)
Tax effect of acquisition and integration related expenses, and
restructuring costs (assumed 40% rate)					(22			)				(418			)				(639			)				(734			)
Net impact of acquisition and integration related expenses,
impairment losses, restructuring costs, and normalized tax
rate on net income					4,080							13,390							69,175							13,865
Adjusted net loss attributable to Erickson Incorporated					$		(6,041	)				$		(3,719	)				$		(15,916	)				$		(10,838	)
Net Loss Per Share Attributable To Common Stockholders and
Adjusted Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Common
Stockholder Reconciliation
Net loss attributable to common stockholders					$		(10,121	)				$		(17,109	)				$		(85,091	)				$		(24,703	)
Adjusted net loss attributable to Erickson Incorporated					$		(6,041	)				$		(3,719	)				$		(15,916	)				$		(10,838	)
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic					13,831,127							13,799,501							13,827,493							13,794,491
Diluted					13,831,127							13,799,501							13,827,493							13,794,491
Adjusted net loss per share attributable to Erickson Incorporated
Basic					$		(0.44	)				$		(0.27	)				$		(1.15	)				$		(0.79	)
Diluted					$		(0.44	)				$		(0.27	)				$		(1.15	)				$		(0.79	)

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