Broadwind Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2019 Results

CICERO, Ill., Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Broadwind BWEN, a diversified precision manufacturer of specialized components and solutions serving global industries, today announced results for the fourth quarter and full-year 2019.

4Q 2019 HIGHLIGHTS

• Total revenue of $49.3 million (+81% y/y)
• Total net loss of ($1.6) million, or ($0.09) per basic share
• Total non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA of $1.8 million (+$3.5 million y/y)
• Total backlog of $142.3 million (+48% y/y)
• Total cash and availability of $19.0 million (+$7.5 million y/y)

FULL-YEAR 2019 HIGHLIGHTS

• Total revenue of $178.2 million (+42% y/y)
• Total net loss of ($4.5) million, or ($0.28) per basic share
• Total non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA of $7.2 million (+$8.2 million y/y)

For the three months ended December 31, 2019, the Company reported total revenue of $49.3 million, an increase of more than 80% when compared to the prior-year period.  Broadwind reported a net loss from continuing operations of ($1.6) million, or ($0.09) per basic share in the fourth quarter 2019, versus ($12.4) million, or ($0.79) per basic share, in the fourth quarter 2018.  The fourth quarter included a one-time ($0.05) per basic share non-cash charge related to the Company accelerating the amortization of certain intangibles.  Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA increased to $1.8 million in the fourth quarter 2019, versus ($1.7) million in the prior-year period.

During the fourth quarter, increased demand for wind tower sections resulted in the highest quarterly revenue achieved by the Heavy Fabrications Segment since the first quarter 2017.  The Company sold 302 wind tower sections in the fourth quarter, versus 64 sections in the prior-year period.  Tower plant utilization increased materially on a year-over-year basis, given an acceleration in customer demand intended to maximize the benefit of the United States production tax credit ("PTC") for wind energy projects.  Within the Gearing Segment, increased demand from customers in the wind, industrial and mining industries were offset by lower sales into the oil and gas market, given declines in hydraulic fracturing within key shale basins.  Within the Industrial Solutions Segment, the benefit of the Company's first kitting sale into the solar market was partially offset by lower gas turbine component demand.   

MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY

"Our full-year results reflect significant year-over-year growth in revenue, margin capture and free cash flow, a performance supported by our multi-year focus on customer, product and end-market diversification," stated Stephanie Kushner, CEO of Broadwind.  "Last year we made good progress with our diversification strategy, growing orders to diverse customers to $54 million. In 2020, we will continue to invest in the business to grow non-wind related orders, as we seek to further expand our addressable market."

"Despite continued supply chain-related challenges, our Heavy Fabrications segment sold more than 930 tower sections last year, an increase of more than 70% from 2018," continued Kushner.  "The segment generated nearly $7 million of EBITDA in 2019, an increase of more than $5 million from 2018, as customers accelerated orders to secure tower production slots in a strengthening market."

"We were pleased to see an extension of the PTC in late 2019.  As a result of the new legislation, the PTC will subsidize wind projects commenced by the end of 2020, which is expected to result in strong medium term demand for wind towers."

"Within our Gearing Segment, ongoing efforts to further diversify our revenue base have resulted in a higher-margin sales mix," stated Kushner.  "Although Gearing posted a year-over-year decline in revenue in 2019, EBITDA more than doubled over the same period to a run-rate of more than $5 million annually and we reported record income.  Although sales in the oil/gas sector were soft last year, Gearing achieved broad-based revenue growth in the wind, industrial, mining and steel sectors, reflecting a pivot toward a more diversified revenue stream."

"During my tenure as CEO, Broadwind has significantly improved its manufacturing capabilities, diversified its customer base, rationalized its cost structure and strengthened its go-to-market strategy.  Upon my retirement, effective March 1, 2020, Eric Blashford will transition into the CEO role.  As one of the leading architects of our current strategy, Eric is well-suited to lead Broadwind into its next phase of growth.  Although I will step back from the day-to-day management of the Company, I look forward to supporting the organization in my new role as Chairman of the Board."

ORDERS AND BACKLOG

Total orders declined to $16.4 million in the fourth quarter, versus $16.7 million in the year-ago period. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, total orders more than doubled from $83.2 million in the prior year to $221.5 million, primarily driven by tower customers securing 2020 production capacity in support of increased wind turbine installations.  During 2018, our largest customer fulfilled orders under a three-year framework agreement in which minimum contract orders were reported in backlog at the onset of the agreement in 2016 and is now placing orders on a project-by project basis.  Consolidated orders for the mining, construction, industrial and natural gas turbine power generation markets increased by double digits on a year-over-year basis, consistent with the Company's multi-year focus on customer, product and end-market diversification beyond its core wind energy market. 

Total backlog increased to $142.3 million in the fourth quarter, versus $96.5 million in the year-ago period.  Year-over-year growth in Heavy Fabrications was primarily driven by increased demand for wind towers and continued growth in industrial fabrications. Industrial Solutions demand growth partially offset a decline in Gearing backlog.  As of December 31, 2019, Heavy Fabrications represented approximately 85% of total Company backlog. 

SEGMENT RESULTS

In early 2020, we rebranded to Broadwind, a reflection of our diversification progress to date and our continued strategy to expand our product and customer diversification outside of wind energy.  Effective with this rebranding, we renamed certain segments.  Our Towers and Heavy Fabrications segment was renamed to Heavy Fabrications and our Process Systems segment was renamed to Industrial Solutions.  Our Gearing segment name was unchanged. 

Heavy Fabrications Segment
Broadwind provides large complex and precision fabrications to customers in a broad range of industrial markets.  Key products include wind towers and industrial fabrications, including mining and crane components, pressure vessels and frames/structures.  The Heavy Fabrications Segment represented 72% of total revenue in the full-year 2019.

Heavy Fabrications segment sales increased by $25.5 million to $37.6 million in the fourth quarter, when compared to the prior year period.  Total operating income increased $4.1 million to $1.1 million, when compared to the fourth quarter 2018.  Segment non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA increased $3.6 million to $2.4 million, when compared to the fourth quarter 2018.  Fourth quarter segment performance was driven by growth in customer demand for wind towers and industrial fabrications.

Gearing Segment
Broadwind provides custom gearboxes, loose gearing and heat treat services to a broad set of customers in diverse markets, including oil and gas production, surface and underground mining, wind energy, steel, material handling and other infrastructure markets.  The Gearing Segment represented 20% of total revenue in the full-year 2019.

Gearing segment sales declined by $3.3 million to $7.6 million in the fourth quarter, when compared to the year-ago period.  Total operating income declined $0.6 million to $0.4 million, when compared to the fourth quarter 2018.  Segment non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA declined $0.5 million to $1.0 million, when compared to the fourth quarter 2018.  Fourth quarter segment performance was driven by lower sales into the hydraulic fracturing market which was partially offset by higher sales into the wind, industrial and mining sectors.

Industrial Solutions Segment
Broadwind provides supply chain solutions, inventory management, kitting and assembly services, primarily serving the combined cycle natural gas turbine markets.  The Industrial Solutions Segment represented 8% of total revenue in the full-year 2019.

Industrial Solutions segment sales declined by $0.1 million to $4.1 million in the fourth quarter, when compared to the year-ago period.  The segment reported an operating loss of ($0.9) million in the fourth quarter, versus ($8.7) million in the fourth quarter 2018 driven primarily by a non-cash impairment in the prior year and improved operational performance. The current year quarter included a $0.9 million non-cash charge as the Company accelerated the amortization of its trade name intangible, a result of the rebranding initiative.  Segment non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA increased $0.8 million to $0.1 million, when compared to the fourth quarter 2018.  Fourth quarter segment performance was primarily driven by higher sales associated with new gas turbine content, solar market demand and an improved sales mix, which were more than offset by lower aftermarket demand.

BALANCE SHEET

As of December 31, 2019, Broadwind had cash and availability on outstanding credit facilities of $2.4 million and $16.6 million, respectively.   Total liquidity, including cash on hand and line of credit availability, increased by $7.5 million year over year to $19.0 million at the end of the fourth quarter 2019.  The increase in liquidity was primarily attributable to customer deposits associated with scheduled 2020 tower production.  Total debt and capital leases was $14.6 million as of December 31, 2019. 

FINANCIAL GUIDANCE

All financial guidance is current as of the time provided and is subject to change.  The following represents management's estimates as of February 27, 2020.

For the first quarter 2020, management anticipates total revenue in the range of $48.0 million to $52.0 million and total non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA in the range of $2.8 million to $3.5 million.

For the full-year 2020, management anticipates total revenue in the range of $200.0 million to $220.0 million and total non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA in the range of $12.0 million to $14.0 million.

FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL-YEAR 2019 CONFERENCE CALL

Broadwind will host a conference call today, February 27, 2020, at 11:00 A.M. ET to review the Company's financial results, discuss recent events and conduct a question-and-answer session.  A webcast of the conference call and accompanying presentation materials will be available in the Investor Relations section of Broadwind's website at www.BWEN.com/Investors.  To listen to a live broadcast, go to the site at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time in order to register, download, and install any necessary audio software.

To participate in the live teleconference:

To listen to a replay of the teleconference, which will be available through March 5, 2020:

ABOUT BROADWIND

Broadwind BWEN is a precision manufacturer of structures, equipment and components for clean tech and other specialized applications. With facilities throughout the U.S., our talented team is committed to helping customers maximize performance of their investments—quicker, easier and smarter. Find out more at www.bwen.com

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

The Company provides non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, share based compensation, and other stock payments, restructuring costs, impairment charges, and other non-cash gains and losses) as supplemental information regarding the Company's business performance. The Company's management uses adjusted EBITDA when it internally evaluates the performance of the Company's business, reviews financial trends and makes operating and strategic decisions. The Company believes that this non-GAAP financial measure is useful to investors because it provides investors with a better understanding of the Company's past financial performance and future results and allows investors to evaluate the Company's performance using the same methodology and information as used by the Company's management. The Company's definition of adjusted EBITDA may be different from similar non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies and/or analysts.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains "forward looking statements"—that is, statements related to future, not past, events—as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that reflect our current expectations regarding our future growth, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, performance, business prospects and opportunities, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, our management. Forward looking statements include any statement that does not directly relate to a current or historical fact. We have tried to identify forward looking statements by using words such as "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "intend," "will," "should," "may," "plan" and similar expressions, but these words are not the exclusive means of identifying forward looking statements.

Important factors that could cause our actual risks to be materially different from the forward-looking statements include those disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in our most recently filed annual report on Form 10-K and may include or relate to our beliefs, expectations, plans and/or assumptions with respect to the following: (i) state, local and federal regulatory frameworks affecting the industries in which we compete, including the wind energy industry, and the related extension, continuation or renewal of federal tax incentives and grants and state renewable portfolio standards, as well as new or continuing tariffs on steel or other products imported into the United States; (ii) our customer relationships and our substantial dependency on a few significant customers and our efforts to diversify our customer base and sector focus and leverage relationships across business units; (iii) our ability to continue to grow our business organically and through acquisitions; (iv) the production, sales, collections, customer deposits and revenues generated by new customer orders and our ability to realize the resulting cash flows; (v) the sufficiency of our liquidity and alternate sources of funding, if necessary; (vi) our ability to realize revenue from customer orders and backlog; (vii) our ability to operate our business efficiently, comply with our debt obligations, manage capital expenditures and costs effectively, and generate cash flow; (viii) the economy and the potential impact it may have on our business, including our customers; (ix) the state of the wind energy market and other energy and industrial markets generally and the impact of competition and economic volatility in those markets; (x) the effects of market disruptions and regular market volatility, including fluctuations in the price of oil, gas and other commodities; (xi) competition from new or existing industry participants including, in particular, increased competition from foreign tower manufacturers with access to lower cost steel; (xii) the effects of the change of administrations in the U.S. federal government; (xiii) our ability to successfully integrate and operate companies and to identify, negotiate and execute future acquisitions; (xiv) the potential loss of tax benefits if we experience an "ownership change" under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; (xv)  the limited trading market for our securities and the volatility of market price for our securities; and (xvi) the impact of future sales of our common stock or securities convertible into our common stock on our stock price. These statements are based on information currently available to us and are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual growth, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, performance, business prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements. We are under no duty to update any of these statements. You should not consider any list of such factors to be an exhaustive statement of all of the risks, uncertainties or other factors that could cause our current beliefs, expectations, plans and/or assumptions to change.

An attachment accompanying this release can be found at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3668e1a5-982d-49ad-a4b0-5aae429a2bcc

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CORPORATE CONTACT

Jason Bonfigt
708.780.4821