Graham Corporation Reports Fiscal 2020 Third Quarter and Year-to-Date Results

• Third quarter revenue of $25 million; third quarter orders of $20 million
• Backlog remains strong at $123 million as of December 31
• Reiterating fiscal 2020 revenue guidance of 20% to 26% growth and revising gross margin to between 21% and 22%

BATAVIA, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Graham Corporation (NYSE: GHM), a global business that designs, manufactures and sells critical equipment for the oil refining, petrochemical and defense industries, today reported financial results for its third quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2019. Graham’s current fiscal year ends March 31, 2020 (“fiscal 2020”).

Net sales in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 were $25.3 million compared with $17.2 million in the third quarter of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019 (“fiscal 2019”). This year’s third quarter net income and earnings per share (“EPS”) were breakeven. Last year’s third quarter net income and EPS were $0.1 million and $0.01, respectively. Excluding the business of Graham’s commercial nuclear utility subsidiary which was divested in June 2019, adjusted net income and adjusted EPS in last year’s third quarter, both of which are non-GAAP measures, were $0.5 million and $0.05, respectively. The Company makes important disclosures regarding its use of non-GAAP measures on the following page of this release.

James R. Lines, Graham’s President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “The third quarter results met our revenue expectations, however, operating profit fell short of expectations due to an unfavorable project mix in this quarter’s backlog conversion and lower than typical short cycle orders. We anticipate that the fourth quarter operating profit will, accordingly, improve as higher margin backlog is converted and short cycle orders resume their typical pattern.

“There is an expected step-up in revenue and profitability for the fourth quarter as we drive toward full year revenue guidance between $100 and $105 million. Importantly, the bid pipeline remains strong and margin quality continues to improve when compared with backlog orders won nine to 15 months back.”

Third Quarter Fiscal 2020 Sales Summary
(See accompanying financial tables for a breakdown of sales by industry and region)

Consolidated net sales increased by $8.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 compared with the prior-year quarter. Sales to the refining market were up $5.6 million to $12.2 million while sales to the chemical/petrochemical market were up $3.3 million to $6.2 million and sales to the other commercial, industrial and defense markets were up $1.6 million to $6.6 million. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $2.4 million to the power market, primarily attributable to the divested Energy Steel business.

From a geographic perspective, U.S. sales represented 53% of consolidated sales in the fiscal 2020 third quarter compared with 83% in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. International sales were 47% of consolidated sales in the fiscal 2020 third quarter, compared with 17% in the prior-year comparable period.

Fluctuations in Graham’s sales among geographic locations and industries can vary measurably from quarter-to-quarter based on the timing and magnitude of projects. Graham does not believe that such quarter-to-quarter fluctuations are indicative of business trends, which it believes are more apparent on a trailing twelve month basis.

Third Quarter Fiscal 2020 Performance Review

Refer to pages 10 and 11 of this press release for reconciliations to non-GAAP financial measures and other important disclosures regarding Graham’s use of non-GAAP measures.

Graham believes that, when used in conjunction with measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, adjusted operating loss, adjusted operating margin (adjusted operating loss as a percentage of sales excluding Energy Steel), adjusted net income, adjusted diluted EPS, adjusted EBITDA (defined as consolidated net income before net interest income, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and the operating loss and loss on the sale of Energy Steel) and adjusted EBITDA margin (adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of sales excluding Graham’s Energy Steel subsidiary divested in June 2019), which are non-GAAP measures, help in the understanding of its operating performance. Moreover, Graham’s credit facility also contains ratios based on EBITDA. See the attached tables for additional important disclosures regarding Graham’s use of adjusted operating loss, adjusted operating margin, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted EPS, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin as well as reconciliations of operating loss to adjusted operating loss and reconciliations of net income to adjusted net income and adjusted EBITDA.

Graham divested its commercial nuclear utility business, which had been conducted through its Energy Steel subsidiary, during the first quarter of fiscal 2020. There was no impact on the financial results during the third quarter of fiscal 2020. However, during the third quarter of fiscal 2019, results of this business included sales of $1.8 million, an operating loss of $0.5 million and a net loss of $0.4 million.

Despite higher sales, overall, fiscal 2020’s third quarter adjusted operating loss, adjusted net income, and adjusted EBITDA were unfavorably impacted by a lower gross margin compared with the prior-year third quarter.

Fiscal 2020’s third quarter gross profit and margin were unfavorably impacted by the timing of a varying mix of projects compared with the third quarter of fiscal 2019.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were $4.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2020, compared with $4.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. The prior-year quarter included $0.4 million for the divested Energy Steel business. SG&A as a percent of sales was approximately 18% and 25% in the third quarters of fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019, respectively.

For the third quarters of both fiscal 2020 and 2019, Graham’s effective tax rates were not meaningful due to the proximity of the results in both periods to breakeven.

Nine Month Year-to-Date Fiscal 2020 Performance Review

Energy Steel’s results for the first nine months of fiscal 2020, including the loss on sale, included sales of $1.3 million, an operating loss of $1.1 million and a net loss of $0.9 million. During the first nine months of fiscal 2019, results of this business included sales of $6.6 million, an operating loss of $1.7 million and a net loss of $1.4 million.

International sales were $23.9 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2020 and represented 35% of total sales, compared with $25.4 million, or 37% of sales, in the same prior-year period. Sales to the U.S. were $43.6 million, or 65% of year-to-date net sales in fiscal 2020, compared with $42.8 million, or 63% of fiscal 2019 year-to-date net sales.

Overall, fiscal 2020 year-to-date adjusted operating profit, adjusted net income and adjusted EBITDA were unfavorably impacted by a lower gross margin compared with the first nine months of the prior fiscal year.

The decrease in gross profit and margin were due to an unfavorable project mix in the fiscal 2020 year-to-date period. The prior-year second quarter included a particularly favorable mix of projects, benefiting the fiscal 2019 year-to-date period. Excluding the results of Energy Steel, gross margin was 21% and 28% for the first nine months of fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019, respectively.

SG&A in the first nine months of fiscal 2020 was $12.9 million, down 6% or $0.8 million. Excluding Energy Steel, SG&A was up $0.2 million. As a percent of sales, SG&A was 19% in the year-to-date fiscal 2020 period, compared with 20% in the same prior-year period.

Balance Sheet Remains Strong

Cash, cash equivalents and investments at December 31, 2019 were $69.9 million, compared with $73.8 million at September 30, 2019 and $77.8 million at March 31, 2019. The decrease at the end of December was primarily due to timing of working capital fluctuations.

Cash used by operations in the first nine months of fiscal 2020 was $4.1 million, compared with cash provided by operations of $8.5 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2019. The decrease was primarily the result of the timing of changes in working capital and lower net income.

Capital expenditures were $1.4 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2020 compared with $1.5 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2019. The Company continues to expect capital expenditures for fiscal 2020 to be between $2.5 million and $2.8 million, the majority of which are expected to be used for productivity enhancements.

Dividend payments were $3.2 million and $2.9 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019, respectively.

Graham had neither borrowings under its credit facility, nor any long-term debt outstanding, at December 31, 2019.

Backlog and Orders Impacted by Timing

Backlog at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2020 continues to be strong at $122.9 million, compared with $127.8 million at the end of the trailing quarter. The decrease primarily relates to timing of customer order releases.

The Company believes that its backlog mix by industry highlights the success of its diversification strategy to increase sales to the U.S. Navy. Backlog by industry at December 31, 2019 was approximately:

• 52% for U.S. Navy projects
• 30% for refinery projects
• 13% for chemical/petrochemical projects
• 5% for power projects and other industrial applications

The expected timing for the Company’s backlog to convert to sales is as follows:

Orders were $20.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2020, compared with $23.2 million in the prior-year third quarter. The global refining industry and other commercial, industrial and defense markets contributed increases of $1.6 million and $3.7 million, respectively, which were offset by $6.8 million of lower orders from the chemical/petrochemical industry. Orders in the fiscal 2019 quarter included $1.4 million for the divested Energy Steel business. In the fiscal 2020 third quarter, orders from U.S. customers were $15.5 million, or 77% of total orders, and orders from international markets were $4.5 million, or 23%. This compares with 50% from the U.S. and 50% from international markets in the third quarter of fiscal 2019.

The comparison of orders in the first nine months of fiscal 2020 versus the same prior-year period is impacted by timing of customer order releases. Excluding Energy Steel, orders in the first nine months of fiscal 2020 were $64.7 million, compared with $71.9 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2019 on the same basis.

Graham believes that the balance between domestic and international orders, as well as orders by industry, will continue to be variable between quarters.

Reiterating FY 2020 Revenue Guidance, Lowering FY 2020 Gross Margin Guidance

Based on its near-term order outlook and operating performance for the first three quarters, Graham is updating its fiscal 2020 guidance which excludes the divested Energy Steel business, as follows:

• Revenue anticipated to be between $100 million and $105 million. For fiscal 2019, consolidated revenue excluding Energy Steel was $83.5 million.
• Gross margin expectations between 21% and 22%, with the reduction caused by project mix
• SG&A expense expected to be between $17 million and $17.5 million
• Effective tax rate anticipated to be approximately 20%

Mr. Lines noted, “It is important to point out that the above guidance includes fulfillment of a short cycle naval order that is in backlog. We are confident that this order will be completed, however, due to its size, if we are unable to complete it during the quarter, revenue will likely fall below the lower range of guidance.”

He concluded, “Our pipeline continues to be very active as our customers plan their capacity expansion and upgrade projects. Additionally, we believe we are gaining traction with our initiatives to expand our revenue opportunities derived from our installed base, penetrate new geographic markets, and broaden our revenue from the U.S. Navy. Further, we anticipate continued productivity improvements and margin expansion. We expect that the results of these initiatives will continue to differentiate Graham and drive revenue and margin growth in fiscal 2021.”

Webcast and Conference Call

Graham’s management will host a conference call and live webcast today at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to review its financial condition and operating results for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2020, as well as its strategy and outlook. The review will be accompanied by a slide presentation which will be made available immediately prior to the conference call on Graham’s website at www.graham-mfg.com under the heading “Investor Relations.” A question-and-answer session will follow the formal presentation.

Graham’s conference call can be accessed by calling (201) 689-8560. Alternatively, the webcast can be monitored on Graham’s website at www.graham-mfg.com under the heading “Investor Relations.”

A telephonic replay will be available from 2:00 p.m. ET today through Wednesday, February 5, 2020. To listen to the archived call, dial (412) 317-6671 and enter conference ID number 13697518. A transcript of the call will be placed on Graham’s website, once available.

ABOUT GRAHAM CORPORATION

Graham is a global business that designs, manufactures and sells critical equipment for the energy, defense and chemical/petrochemical industries. Energy markets include oil refining, cogeneration, and alternative power. For the defense industry, the Company’s equipment is used in nuclear propulsion power systems for the U.S. Navy. Graham’s global brand is built upon world-renowned engineering expertise in vacuum and heat transfer technology, responsive and flexible service and unsurpassed quality. Graham designs and manufactures custom-engineered ejectors, vacuum pumping systems, surface condensers and vacuum systems. Graham’s equipment can also be found in other diverse applications such as metal refining, pulp and paper processing, water heating, refrigeration, desalination, food processing, pharmaceutical, heating, ventilating and air conditioning. Graham’s reach spans the globe and its equipment is installed in facilities from North and South America to Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Graham routinely posts news and other important information on its website, www.graham-mfg.com, where additional comprehensive information on Graham Corporation and its subsidiaries can be found.

Safe Harbor Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions and are identified by words such as “expects,” “estimates,” “confidence,” “projects,” “typically,” “outlook,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “appears,” “could,” “opportunities,” “seeking,” “plans,” “aim,” “pursuit,” “look towards” and other similar words. All statements addressing operating performance, events, or developments that Graham Corporation expects or anticipates will occur in the future, including but not limited to, expected expansion and growth opportunities within its domestic and international markets, anticipated revenue, the timing of conversion of backlog to sales, market presence, profit margins, tax rates, foreign sales operations, its ability to improve cost competitiveness and productivity, customer preferences, changes in market conditions in the industries in which it operates, the effect on its business of volatility in commodities prices, changes in general economic conditions and customer behavior, forecasts regarding the timing and scope of the economic recovery in its markets, its acquisition and growth strategy and its operations in China, India and other international locations, are forward-looking statements. Because they are forward-looking, they should be evaluated in light of important risk factors and uncertainties. These risk factors and uncertainties are more fully described in Graham Corporation’s most recent Annual Report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, included under the heading entitled “Risk Factors.”

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of Graham Corporation’s underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those currently anticipated. In addition, undue reliance should not be placed on Graham Corporation’s forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, Graham Corporation disclaims any obligation to update or publicly announce any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this news release.

Graham Corporation
Third Quarter Fiscal 2020
Consolidated Statements of Income - Unaudited
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Graham Corporation
Third Quarter Fiscal 2020
Consolidated Balance Sheets - Unaudited
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Graham Corporation
Third Quarter Fiscal 2020
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Unaudited
(Amounts in thousands)

Graham Corporation
Third Quarter Fiscal 2020
Adjusted Net Income Reconciliation - Unaudited
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Non-GAAP Financial Measure:

Adjusted net income is defined as GAAP net income excluding the operating loss and loss on the sale of the commercial nuclear utility business. Adjusted net income is not a measure determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, commonly known as GAAP. Nevertheless, Graham believes that providing non-GAAP information such as adjusted net income is important for investors and other readers of Graham's financial statements, as it is used as an analytical indicator by Graham's management to better understand operating performance. Because adjusted net income is a non-GAAP measure and is thus susceptible to varying calculations, adjusted net income, as presented, may not be directly comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Graham Corporation
Third Quarter Fiscal 2020
Adjusted Operating Profit Reconciliation - Unaudited
(Amounts in thousands)

Non-GAAP Financial Measure:

Adjusted operating (loss) profit is defined as consolidated operating (loss) profit before the operating loss and loss on the sale of the commercial nuclear utility business. Adjusted operating margin is Adjusted operating (loss) profit divided by sales excluding sales of the commercial nuclear utility business. Adjusted operating (loss) profit and Adjusted operating margin are not measures determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, commonly known as GAAP. Nevertheless, Graham believes that providing non-GAAP information such as Adjusted operating (loss) profit and Adjusted operating margin are important for investors and other readers of Graham's financial statements, as they are used as analytical indicators by Graham's management to better understand operating performance. Because Adjusted operating (loss) profit and Adjusted operating margin are non-GAAP measures and are thus susceptible to varying calculations, Adjusted operating (loss) profit and Adjusted operating margin, as presented, may not be directly comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Graham Corporation
Third Quarter Fiscal 2020
Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation - Unaudited
(Amounts in thousands)

Non-GAAP Financial Measure:

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as consolidated net income before interest expense and income, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and the operating loss and loss on the sale of the commercial nuclear utility business. Adjusted EBITDA margin is adjusted EBITDA divided by sales excluding sales of the commercial nuclear utility business. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are not measures determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, commonly known as GAAP. Nevertheless, Graham believes that providing non-GAAP information such as adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are important for investors and other readers of Graham's financial statements, as they are used as analytical indicators by Graham's management to better understand operating performance. Graham’s credit facility also contains ratios based on EBITDA. Because adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are non-GAAP measures and are thus susceptible to varying calculations, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin, as presented, may not be directly comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Graham Corporation
Third Quarter Fiscal 2020
Additional Information - Unaudited

Graham Corporation
Third Quarter Fiscal 2020
Additional Information - Unaudited
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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200129005270/en/

Jeffrey F. Glajch
Vice President – Finance and CFO
Phone: (585) 343-2216
jglajch@graham-mfg.com

Deborah K. Pawlowski / Karen L. Howard
Kei Advisors LLC
Phone: (716) 843-3908 / (716) 843-3942
dpawlowski@keiadvisors.com / khoward@keiadvisors.com

Source: Graham Corporation

Released January 29, 2020