AETI Records $1.5 Million Quarterly Loss Before One-Time Expenses and Announces Record Backlog

Quarterly Results Impacted by Cost Overruns on Large Projects and One-Time Charges


HOUSTON, Nov. 11, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Electric Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:AETI), a leading supplier of power delivery solutions for the global energy industry, today announced its third quarter 2014 financial results.

The Company reported a $2.1 million net loss attributable to common shareholders in the third quarter of 2014 on consolidated revenue of $14.3 million, down from income of $0.9 million in the third quarter of 2013 on $16.2 million of revenue. Included in the results was a loss of $0.2 million related to the start-up of the Company's Brazilian subsidiary and a $0.4 million write-down of the Company's remaining renewable energy business assets.

During the quarter, the Company experienced project delays and manufacturing cost overruns due to new product introductions and a significant increase in the number of large power distribution center (PDC) projects in process for the midstream and downstream oil and gas markets.

The cost overruns and one-time charges drove gross margins for the company to 3%, down from 17% in Q3 of 2013.

The Company also reported that based on continued sales success and new major customer wins that it achieved record year-to-date revenues from continuing operations of $43.6 million for the first nine months of the year and ended the quarter with record backlog of $28 million.

"Our record first nine-month revenue and backlog for the quarter and our expanding list of break-in wins at new blue-chip energy customers highlight our progress in becoming a market leader in turnkey power delivery solutions for the North American energy market", said Charles Dauber, president and chief executive officer, AETI. "This quarter, we experienced cost overruns and project delays that impacted our project margins due to the significant increase in the number of million-dollar-plus PDC projects we have in process and the introduction of our arc-resistant product lines. Most of these projects will be completed during the fourth quarter."

In the third quarter, the Company reported the hiring of Bill Miller as its new chief operating officer. In this newly created role, Mr. Miller is responsible for scaling the company's operations, improving project execution and driving the company's profitability. Mr. Miller has 30 years of experience in plant management, operations and business leadership, and is located in the Company's Beaumont, Texas manufacturing and operations facility.

The Company's international joint ventures reported net equity income after expenses of $ 0.2 million, which reflects the typical seasonality of its Chinese joint venture.

Dauber continued, "We understand the causes of our growing pains and are addressing those issues. The hiring of our new chief operating officer will enable us to improve project execution and to profitably scale our operations. While Q3 financial results were disappointing, the strategy and foundation we are putting in place will allow us to scale the company and add long-term value for our shareholders."

Conference Call

AETI will conduct a conference call at 10 a.m. EST on Tuesday, November 11, 2014, to discuss the results with analysts, investors and other interested parties. Individuals who wish to participate in the conference call should dial 888-490-2760 pass code 888697, in the United States and Canada. International callers should dial +1 719-325-2485, pass code 888697.

American Electric Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:AETI) is a leading provider of power delivery solutions to the global energy industry. AETI offers M&I Electric power distribution and control products, electrical services, and construction services.

AETI is headquartered in Houston and has global sales, support and manufacturing operations in Beaumont, Texas; Bay St. Louis, Mississippi; Macaé and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In addition, AETI has minority interests in two joint ventures, which have facilities located in Xian, China and Singapore. AETI's SEC filings, news and product/service information are available at www.aeti.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, concerning anticipated future domestic and international demand for our products, expected improvement in profitability, and other future plans and objectives. While the Company believes that such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such future revenues, profits, plans and objectives will be achieved on the schedule or in the amounts indicated. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual events or results may differ from the Company's expectations, and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including those listed in Item 1A of the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2014. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future events make it clear that any of the projected results expressed or implied herein will not be realized.

American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries  
Business Segments (in thousands and percentages are calculated on segment sales and total sales) Unaudited
 
  Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
  September 30,   September 30,   September 30,   September 30,  
  2014   2013   2014   2013  
Revenue:                
Technical Products and Services  $ 12,618    $ 13,970    $ 38,743    $ 35,607  
Electrical and Instrumentation Construction  1,665    2,266    4,818    7,136  
   $ 14,283    $ 16,236    $ 43,561    $ 42,743  
                 
Gross profit:                
Technical Products and Services  $ 251 2%  $ 2,428 17%  $ 4,385 11%  $ 6,117 17%
Electrical and Instrumentation Construction  244 15%  331 15%  573 12%  1,496 21%
   $ 495 3%  $ 2,759 17%  $ 4,958 11%  $ 7,613 18%
                 
Income (loss) from consolidated continuing operations and net equity income from foreign joint ventures' operations                
                 
Technical Products and Services  $ (210) -2%  $ 2,188 16%  $ 3,623 9%  $ 5,372 15%
Electrical and Instrumentation Construction  62 4%  331 15%  391 8%  1,496 21%
Corporate and other unallocated expenses  (2,039)    (1,548)    (5,552)    (4,764)  
Income (loss) from consolidated continuing operations  (2,187) -15%  971 6%  (1,538) -4%  2,104 5%
Equity income from BOMAY  285    475    1,793    2,123  
Equity income (loss) from MIEFE  65    (12)    139    146  
Equity income from AAG  --    (29)    2    871  
Foreign operations expenses  (122)    (66)    (412)    (204)  
Net equity income from foreign joint ventures' operations  228    368    1,522    2,936  
Income (loss) from consolidated continuing operations and net equity income from foreign joint ventures' operations  (1,959) -14%  1,339 8%  (16) 0%  5,040 12%
                 
Interest expense and other, net  (23)    (27)    (56)    (72)  
Total other income (expense)  (23)    (27)    (56)    (72)  
Continuing operations income before income taxes  (1,982)    1,312    (72)    4,968  
Provision for income taxes on continuing operations  --    110    --    745  
Net income (loss) on continuing operations  (1,982)    1,202    (72)    4,223  
Discontinued operations income (loss)  (21)    (215)    (2,673)    (350)  
Provision for income taxes on discontinued operations  $ --     $ --    $ --    $ --  
Net income (loss) on discontinued operations  (21)    (215)    (2,673)    (350)  
Net income (loss) before dividends on redeemable convertible preferred stock  (2,003)    987    (2,745)    3,873  
Dividends on redeemable preferred stock  (86)    (86)    (258)    (256)  
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders  $ (2,089) -15%  $ 901 6%  $ (3,003) -7%  $ 3,617 8%
                 
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share:                
Basic  $ (0.25)    $ 0.14    $ (0.04)    $ 0.50  
Diluted  $ (0.25)    $ 0.13    $ (0.04)    $ 0.45  
Weighted-average number of continuing operations common shares outstanding:                
Basic  8,180,970    8,004,026    8,137,133    7,985,318  
Diluted  8,180,970    9,497,056    8,137,133    9,450,719  
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per common share:                
Basic 0.00    $ (0.03)    $ (0.33)    $ (0.04)  
Earnings (loss) per common share:                
Basic  $ (0.26)    $ 0.11    $ (0.37)    $ 0.45  
Diluted  $ (0.26)    $ 0.10    $ (0.37)    $ 0.41  
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:                
Basic  8,180,970    8,004,026    8,137,133    7,985,318  
Diluted  8,180,970    9,497,056    8,137,133    9,450,719  
 
American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
  September 30, 2014 December 31, 2013
  (Unaudited)  
Assets    
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents  $ 2,384  $ 4,148
Accounts receivable-trade, net of allowance of $315 and $327 at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively  10,917  10,462
Inventories, net of allowance of $65 and $40 at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013  3,781  3,184
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts  4,960  5,312
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  438  376
Current assets held for sale  --  3,113
Total current assets  22,480  26,595
Property, plant and equipment, net  8,535  4,077
Investments in foreign joint ventures  11,812  13,033
Other assets  45  126
Long-term assets held for sale  650  2,005
Total assets  $ 43,522  $ 45,836
     
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity    
Current liabilities:    
Accounts payable  $ 7,897  $ 5,327
Accrued payroll and benefits  956  1,911
Other accrued expenses  414  397
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts  2,535  3,021
Short-term notes payable  --  --
Other current liabilities  12  121
Current Liabilities held for sale  --  536
Total current liabilities  11,814  11,313
Notes payable  500  500
Deferred income taxes  3,424  3,541
Deferred compensation  270  211
Total liabilities  16,008  15,565
Convertible preferred stock    
Redeemable convertible preferred stock, series A, net of discount of $731 and $764 at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively; $.001 par value, shares issued and outstanding 1,000,000 September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013  4,269  4,236
     
Common stockholders' equity:    
Common stock; $0.001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 8,184,188 and 8,008,759 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively  8  8
Treasury stock; at cost 108,976 shares at September 30, 2014 and 49,863 shares at December 31, 2013  (704)  (238)
Additional paid-in capital  11,207  10,494
Accumulated other comprehensive income  951  983
Retained earnings; including accumulated statutory reserves in equity method investments of $1,857 at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively  11,783  14,788
Total common stockholders' equity  23,245  26,035
Total liabilities, preferred stock and stockholders' equity  43,522  45,836
 
American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliations
Computation of Earnings on Continuing Operations, Including Net Equity Income from Foreign Joint Ventures, Before Interest,
Dividends, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA")
Unaudited
(In thousands)
         
       
  Three months ended Nine months ended
  September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
  2014 2013 2014 2013
Net Income (loss) on continuing operations attributable to common stockholders  $ (2,068)  $ 1,116  $ (330)  $ 3,967
Add:        
Dividends on redeemable preferred stock  86  86  258  256
Depreciation and amortization  198  132  457  348
Interest expense and other, net  23  27  56  72
Provision for income taxes  --  110  --  745
         
EBITDA1  $ (1,761)  $ 1,471  $ 441  $ 5,388
         
(1) The Company is disclosing EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP measure, because it is used by management and provided to investors to provide comparability of underlying operational results. For more discussion of the use and limitations of EBITDA, see the 2013 10-K which was filed on March 28, 2014.


            

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