Fairmount Santrol Announces Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2015 Results


  • Fourth-quarter 2015 total company volumes down 5% sequentially, I&R volumes down 3% sequentially and Proppant Solutions volumes down 7% sequentially – with frac sand volumes down 4% sequentially and coated proppant volumes down 26% sequentially
  • 75% of fourth-quarter Northern White frac sand volumes shipped via unit train
  • Full-year 2015 total volumes of 8.5 million tons down 12%, with raw frac sand volumes of 5.4 million tons down 5%, compared with 2014
  • Full-year 2015 revenue of $828.7 million
  • Full-year free cash flow of $122.0 million, after capital expenditures of $113.8 million, and resulting in cash balance of $171.5 million at December 31, 2015

CHESTERLAND, Ohio, March 10, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fairmount Santrol (NYSE:FMSA) today announced results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2015. 

Fourth-Quarter 2015 Results

Fourth-quarter 2015 revenue totaled $134.9 million, down 21% from $171.0 million in the third quarter of 2015, and down 62% from $353.8 million for the same period in 2014. Overall sales volumes were 1.9 million tons for the quarter, a decline of 5% from 2.0 million tons in the third quarter of 2015 and a decline of 23% from 2.5 million tons in the fourth quarter of 2014.

For the fourth quarter, the Company had a net loss of $90.8 million, or $(0.56) per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $46.2 million, or $(0.29) per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2015, and net income of $37.9 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2014. The Company’s fourth-quarter net loss includes the impact of non-cash charges from a $69.2 million impairment of the goodwill balance; $7.3 million in impairments of plant assets which are being marketed for sale; $5.0 million from adjustments to accounts receivable and inventory reserve balances; and a tax benefit of $14.0 million. The accounts receivable and inventory balances were adjusted in accordance with accounting practices to adjust bad debt reserves given current market conditions and to value inventory levels to lower of current cost or market pricing.  The tax benefit recognized in the fourth quarter was unfavorably impacted by recording a $27.2 million valuation allowance against certain tax asset carryforwards. The Company expects a cash tax refund in 2016 based on 2015 losses.

Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter was $4.7 million compared with $21.8 million in the third quarter of 2015. The sequential decline was largely due to average proppant pricing declines of approximately 5%, and declines in resin-coated proppant volumes during, primarily, the month of December. Adjusted EDITDA for the fourth quarter also was negatively impacted by the $5.0 million of non-cash adjustments to accounts receivable and inventory balances as noted above.

Adjusted earnings per diluted share were $(0.10) for the fourth quarter, compared with $(0.05) in the third quarter of 2015 and $0.24 in the fourth quarter of 2014. Fourth-quarter adjusted earnings per diluted share excludes the after-tax impact of the goodwill impairment of $0.26 per diluted share, the after-tax impact of plant asset impairments and restructuring charges of $0.03 per diluted share, and the tax benefit of $0.17 per diluted share.

Full-Year 2015 Results

Full-year revenue totaled $828.7 million, compared with $1.36 billion in 2014. Sales volumes totaled 8.5 million tons, compared with 9.6 million tons in the prior year.

For full-year 2015, net loss was $92.1 million, or $(0.57) per diluted share, compared with net income of $170.4 million, or $1.03 per diluted share, for the prior year.

Full-year adjusted earnings per diluted share were $0.06 compared with adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.07 for 2014. Adjusted earnings per diluted share excludes the after-tax impact of the goodwill impairment of $0.26 per diluted share, the after-tax impact of plant asset impairments and restructuring charges of $0.11 per diluted share, and the impact of the non-cash tax benefit of $0.27 per diluted share. Adjusted EBITDA for 2015 was $138.1 million, compared with Adjusted EBITDA of $397.3 million in 2014.

“Our overall fourth-quarter 2015 volumes were better than anticipated, despite the worsening conditions in the oil and gas industry,” said Jenniffer Deckard, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our product portfolio, in-basin footprint and logistics flexibility enable us to provide our customers with multiple avenues to optimize their efficiencies and reduce their overall costs. These differentiators led us to better sustain overall volumes relative to the market trends, and to enhance our position as a supplier of choice as our customers continue with their initiatives to consolidate their proppant suppliers.”

Deckard added, “Although 2015 was a challenging year, our team has been both resilient and innovative, and we remain unwavering in our commitment to helping our customers succeed. The actions we’ve taken over the last 15 months to increase efficiencies and reduce costs throughout our business have enhanced our flexibility and our ability to maintain our market leadership position. The results of these actions will continue to have a positive impact on our business in 2016. We also will benefit from completing the phase two expansion of our low-cost and optimally located Wedron, Illinois, facility in the second quarter of 2016 and the continued expansion of our unit train capabilities and overall network flexibility. We believe Fairmount Santrol will remain commercially well-positioned to compete within the current market conditions, as well as to capitalize on the eventual recovery.”

Business Segments

Proppant Solutions Segment

Total Proppant Solutions volumes for the fourth quarter of 2015 were 1.4 million tons, down 7% compared with the third quarter of 2015 and down 28% compared with the prior-year period. Raw frac sand volumes were 1.3 million tons, down 4% sequentially and down 17% compared with volumes for the same period a year ago. Coated proppant volumes were 114,000 tons, down 26% versus the third quarter of 2015 and down 70% from the prior-year period. The Company’s percentage of products shipped FOB plant increased by six percentage points to 34% compared to the third quarter, with 66% of products sold in-basin in the fourth quarter.

Proppant Solutions revenue totaled $107.5 million in the fourth quarter, a 24% decrease compared with $141.6 million in the third quarter of 2015 and a 67% decrease compared with $324.4 million in the same period a year ago. The decrease in fourth-quarter Proppant Solutions revenue was due to average proppant pricing declines of approximately 5% sequentially, a shift in sales toward FOB plant shipments, and declines in resin-coated proppant volumes primarily in the month of December.

Adjusted contribution margin for the Proppant Solutions segment decreased to $9.5 million in the fourth quarter, from $22.1 million in the third quarter of 2015 and $112.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Fairmount Santrol continues to enhance its unit train capabilities, which are of growing importance to its customers and to the Company’s ability to provide a cost-effective in-basin proppant solution. In the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company shipped approximately 75% of total Northern White sand volumes via 68 unit trains, compared with 55% of total Northern White sand volumes shipped via 56 unit trains during the third quarter. In addition to the expanded unit train capacities associated with the Wedron expansion, Fairmount Santrol recently added two new unit train-capable terminals, bringing its total number of unit train-capable destinations to seven, all of which are well-positioned to cost-effectively serve Proppant Solutions customers.

Industrial and Recreational Products Segment

Industrial and Recreational volumes were 0.55 million tons in the fourth quarter, down 3% from the third quarter of 2015 and down approximately 6% compared with the fourth quarter a year ago.

Revenue for the Industrial and Recreational segment was $27.5 million in the fourth quarter, down approximately 6% from the $29.4 million last quarter and $29.4 million for the same period a year ago.

Adjusted contribution margin for the Industrial and Recreational segment was $9.5 million versus $11.0 million in the third quarter of 2015 and $7.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. The increase in 2015 margins was predominantly due to product mix and to the Company’s lower-cost sourcing model.

Balance Sheet and Other Information

Cash and cash equivalents totaled $171.5 million as of December 31, 2015, and total debt was $1.24 billion compared with $1.25 billion at the end of 2014.

Capital expenditures during the fourth quarter were $22.2 million. Full-year capital expenditures totaled $113.8  million, with most of the spending associated with the expansion of the Company’s low-cost and optimally located Wedron, Illinois, sand processing facility.

The Company had a negative free cash flow, after capital expenditures, of $3.6 million during the fourth quarter and a positive free cash flow, after capital expenditures, of $122.0 million during calendar year 2015.

The Company expects 2016 capital expenditures to be between $15 million and $20 million.

Outlook

The Company is not providing earnings guidance due to the ongoing uncertainty in the oil and gas markets.

Definition and Use of Certain GAAP and Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company defines EBITDA as net income before interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation, depletion and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA before non-cash stock-based compensation, transaction expenses, impairment of assets, loss on extinguishment of debt, gain or loss on disposal of assets, and certain other non-cash income or expenses. The Company believes EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are useful because they allow management to more effectively evaluate our operational performance and compare the results of our operations from period to period without regard to our financing methods or capital structure. 

Segment contribution margin is defined as total revenues less the cost of goods sold to produce and deliver the products of each segment and less selling, general & administrative expenses that are directly attributable to each segment. The definition excludes certain corporate costs not associated with the operations of the segment.

Conference Call

Fairmount Santrol will host a conference call and live webcast for analysts and investors today at 9 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the Company's 2015 fourth-quarter and full-year financial results. Investors are invited to listen to a live audio webcast of the conference call, which will be accessible on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at FairmountSantrol.com. To access the live webcast, please log in 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to download and install any necessary audio software. An archived replay of the call will also be available on the website following the call. The call can also be accessed live by dialing (877) 201-0168 or for international callers, (647) 788-4901. The passcode for the call is 28907398. A replay will be available shortly after the call and can be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406. The passcode for the replay is 28907398. The replay of the call will be available through March 17, 2016.

About Fairmount Santrol

Fairmount Santrol is a leading provider of high-performance sand and sand-based products used by oil and gas exploration and production companies to enhance the productivity of their wells. The Company also provides high-quality products, strong technical leadership and applications knowledge to end users in the foundry, building products, water filtration, glass, and sports and recreation markets. Its global logistics capabilities include a wide-ranging network of distribution terminals and thousands of rail cars that allow the Company to effectively serve customers wherever they operate. As one of the nation’s longest continuously operating mining organizations, Fairmount Santrol has developed a strong commitment to all three pillars of sustainable development, People, Planet and Prosperity. Correspondingly, the Company’s motto and action orientation is: “Do Good. Do Well.” For more information, visit FairmountSantrol.com.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements represent the Company’s expectations or beliefs concerning future events, and it is possible that the results described in this press release will not be achieved. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of the Company’s control that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. These factors include: changes in prevailing economic conditions, including continuing pressure on and fluctuations in demand for, and pricing of, our products; possible adverse effects of being leveraged, including interest rate, event of default or refinancing risks, as well as potentially limiting the Company’s ability to invest in certain market opportunities; our ability to successfully develop and market new products, including Propel SSP™; our rights and ability to mine our property and our renewal or receipt of the required permits and approvals from government authorities and other third parties; our ability to implement capacity expansion plans within our time and budgetary parameters; increasing costs or a lack of dependability or availability of transportation services or infrastructure and geographic shifts in demand; changing legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to our business, including environmental, mining, health and safety, licensing, reclamation and other regulation relating to hydraulic fracturing (and changes in their enforcement and interpretation); silica-related health issues and corresponding litigation; seasonal and severe weather conditions; and other operating risks that are beyond our control.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and, except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all such factors. When considering these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc.’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The risk factors and other factors noted in our filings with the SEC could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.

         
Fairmount Santrol        
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income        
(unaudited)        
  Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
  2015 2014 2015 2014
  (in thousands, except share and per
share amounts)
 (in thousands, except share and per
share amounts)
   
         
Revenue $134,946  $353,756  $828,709  $1,356,458 
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion,        
amortization, and stock compensation expense shown separately)  109,488   220,569   608,845   851,454 
         
Operating expenses        
Selling, general and administrative expenses  19,128   35,105   80,666   114,227 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense  18,995   16,587   66,754   59,379 
Stock compensation expense  (2,655)  7,897   4,525   16,571 
Restructuring charges  7,850   -   27,451   - 
Goodwill impairment  69,246   -   69,246   - 
Other operating expense  1,635   2,551   1,357   3,163 
Income (loss) from operations  (88,741)  71,047   (30,135)  311,664 
         
Interest expense, net  16,077   9,797   62,242   60,842 
Other non-operating expense  -   39   1,492   2,786 
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes  (104,818)  61,211   (93,869)  248,036 
         
Provision (benefit) for income taxes  (13,996)  23,565   (1,939)  77,413 
Net income (loss)    (90,822)    37,646      (91,930)    170,623  
Less: Net income attributable to the non-controlling interest  9   (267)  205   173 
Net income (loss) attributable to Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc. $   (90,831) $   37,913   $   (92,135) $   170,450  
         
Earnings per share        
Basic $(0.56) $0.24  $(0.57) $1.08 
Diluted $(0.56) $0.23  $(0.57) $1.03 
         
Weighted average number of shares outstanding        
Basic  161,433,248   160,542,636   161,296,933   157,949,664 
Diluted  161,433,248   167,025,422   161,296,933   166,277,124 
         

 

Fairmount Santrol    
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows    
(unaudited)    
  Year Ended December 31,
  2015 2014
     
  (in thousands, except per share amounts)
     
Net income (loss) $(91,930) $170,623 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:    
Depreciation and depletion  62,218   54,111 
Amortization  11,416   11,991 
Write-off of deferred financing costs  864   - 
Write-off and impairment of intangibles and long-lived assets  7,954   200 
Impairment of goodwill  69,246   - 
Inventory reserve adjustment  1,591   - 
(Gain) loss on sale of fixed assets  8,712   854 
Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps  49   208 
Deferred income taxes  20,983   37,810 
Stock compensation expense  4,525   16,571 
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquired balances:    
Accounts receivable  129,686   (66,406)
Inventories  59,527   (13,264)
Prepaid expenses and other assets  (3,272)  (23,454)
Accounts payable  (38,698)  (1,456)
Accrued expenses  (6,877)  17,488 
Net cash provided by operating activities    235,994      205,276  
     
Cash flows from investing activities    
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets  -   5,160 
Capital expenditures  (113,750)  (143,491)
Purchase of business and assets  (250)  - 
Net cash used in investing activities    (114,000)    (138,331)
     
Cash flows from financing activities    
Proceeds from issuance of term loans  -   41,000 
Payments on term debt  (13,532)  (12,512)
Change in other long-term debt and capital leases  (6,975)  (4,830)
Proceeds from borrowing on revolving credit facility  -   32,267 
Payments on revolving credit facility  -   (73,000)
Settlement of contingent consideration  -   (9,600)
Proceeds from option exercises  1,767   6,540 
Purchase of treasury stock  -   (662)
Tax effect of stock options exercised and dividend equivalents  (1,472)  15,735 
Distributions to non-controlling interest  (301)  (702)
Financing costs  (4,578)  (1,913)
Net cash used in financing activities    (25,091)    (7,677)
     
Change in cash and cash equivalents related to assets classified as held-for-sale  (1,376)  - 
Foreign currency adjustment  (964)  (160)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents     94,563      59,108  
     
Cash and cash equivalents:    
Beginning of period    76,923      17,815  
End of period $   171,486   $   76,923  
     

 

     
Fairmount Santrol    
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets    
(unaudited)    
  December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014
     
  (in thousands)
Assets    
Current assets    
Cash and cash equivalents $171,486  $76,923 
Accounts receivable, net  73,566   206,094 
Inventories  70,494   131,613 
Deferred income taxes  -   5,158 
Prepaid expenses and other assets  39,910   40,766 
Current assets classified as held-for-sale (includes cash, accounts receivable,    
inventories, and property, plant, and equipment)  4,218   - 
Total current assets  359,674   460,554 
     
Property, plant and equipment, net  870,997   841,274 
Deferred income taxes  834   - 
Goodwill  15,301   84,677 
Intangibles, net  96,482   100,769 
Other assets  25,671   26,742 
Total assets $   1,368,959   $   1,514,016  
     
Liabilities and Equity    
Current liabilities    
Current portion of long-term debt $17,536  $17,274 
Accounts payable  40,421   88,542 
Accrued expenses  26,785   36,025 
Current liabilities directly related to current assets classified as held-for-sale    
(includes accounts payable and accrued expenses)  934   - 
Total current liabilities  85,676   141,841 
     
Long-term debt  1,220,280   1,235,365 
Deferred income taxes  89,569   74,351 
Other long-term liabilities  33,802   28,985 
Total liabilities  1,429,327   1,480,542 
     
Equity    
Common stock  2,391   2,387 
Additional paid-in capital  776,705   771,888 
Retained earnings  405,044   497,179 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)  (17,693)  (12,809)
Treasury stock at cost  (1,227,663)  (1,227,663)
Non-controlling interest  848   2,492 
Total equity (deficit)  (60,368)  33,474 
Total liabilities and equity $   1,368,959   $   1,514,016  
     

 

         
Fairmount Santrol        
Non-GAAP Financial Measures        
(unaudited) Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
  2015 2014 2015 2014
  (in thousands, except per share
amounts)
 (in thousands, except per share
amounts)
   
         
Reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA        
         
Net income (loss) attributable to Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc. $   (90,831) $   37,913   $   (92,135) $   170,450  
Interest expense, net  16,077   9,797   62,242   60,842 
Provision (benefit) for income taxes  (13,996)  23,565   (1,939)  77,413 
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense  18,995   16,587   66,754   59,379 
EBITDA    (69,755)    87,862      34,922      368,084  
         
Non-cash stock compensation expense(1)  (2,655)  7,897   4,525   16,571 
Management fees & expenses paid to sponsor(2)  -   38   -   864 
Loss on disposal of assets(3)  7,288   -   7,915   1,921 
Transaction expenses(4)  -   -   -   638 
Impairment of long-lived assets(5)  299   -   2,635   - 
Restructuring and other charges(6)  263   -   17,528   - 
Write-off of deferred financing costs(7)  -   -   864   - 
Impairment of goodwill(8)  69,246   -   69,246   - 
Other non-recurring charges(9)  -   -   465   - 
Initial Public Offering fees & expenses  -   4,575   -   9,213 
Adjusted EBITDA $   4,686   $   100,372   $   138,100   $   397,291  
__________        
         
(1) Represents the cost in the period for stock-based awards issued to our employees.      
         
(2) Includes fees and expenses paid to American Securities for consulting and management services pursuant to a management consulting agreement.  The agreement was terminated upon the Initial Public Offering in October 2014.
 
(3) Includes losses related to the sale and disposal of certain assets in property, plant, and equipment.    
         
(4) Expenses associated with evaluation of potential acquisitions of businesses, some of which were completed.   
         
(5) Expenses associated with the impairment of a foreign production facility.      
         
(6) Expenses associated with restructuring activities and plant closures, including pension withdrawal and other liablities, asset impairments and severance payments.
 
(7) Represents the write-off of deferred financing fees in relation to the amendment of our Revolving Credit Facility.  
         
(8) Expenses associated with the impairment of goodwill in the Proppant Solutions segment.     
         
(9) Expenses associated with an audit of our Employee Stock Bonus Plan.      
         
Reconciliation of adjusted earnings        
         
Net income (loss) attributable to Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc. $(90,831) $37,913  $(92,135) $170,450 
After-tax effect of adjustments noted above*  46,258   2,768   59,192   7,582 
Year-to-date tax liability due to change in effective tax rate  27,934   -   42,865   - 
Adjusted Net income (loss) attributable to Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc.$   (16,639) $   40,681   $   9,922   $   178,032  
*Excludes non-cash stock compensation expense and uses a marginal tax rate of 40%        
         
Earnings per share        
Basic $(0.56) $0.24  $(0.57) $1.08 
Diluted $(0.56) $0.23  $(0.57) $1.03 
         
Adjusted earnings per share        
Basic $(0.10) $0.25  $0.06  $1.13 
Diluted $(0.10) $0.24  $0.06  $1.07 
         
Weighted average number of shares outstanding        
Basic  161,433,248   160,542,636   161,296,933   157,949,664 
Diluted  161,433,248   167,025,422   161,296,933   166,277,124 

 

         
Fairmount Santrol        
Segment Reports        
(unaudited) Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
  2015 2014 2015 2014
         
  (in thousands, except volume amounts) (in thousands, except volume amounts)
         
Volume (tons)        
Proppant Solutions        
Raw sand  1,253,257   1,515,599   5,437,302   5,713,374 
Coated proppant  114,414   375,719   766,456   1,475,095 
Total Proppant Solutions  1,367,671   1,891,318   6,203,758   7,188,469 
         
Industrial & Recreational Products  555,495   594,031   2,300,969   2,425,756 
         
Total volumes    1,923,166      2,485,349      8,504,727      9,614,225  
         
Revenue        
Proppant Solutions $107,480  $324,380  $710,083  $1,232,232 
Industrial & Recreational Products  27,466   29,376   118,626   124,226 
Total revenue  134,946   353,756   828,709   1,356,458 
         
Segment contribution margin        
Proppant Solutions  (67,364)  112,788   70,810   430,779 
Industrial & Recreational Products  9,869   7,589   25,249   34,473 
Total segment contribution margin  (57,495)  120,377   96,059   465,252 
         
Adjusted segment contribution margin        
Proppant Solutions        
Segment contribution margin  (67,364)  112,788   70,810   430,779 
Restructuring charges & other adjustments  76,833   -   82,357   - 
Proppant Solutions adjusted segment contribution margin  9,469   112,788   153,167   430,779 
         
Industrial & Recreational Products        
Segment contribution margin  9,869   7,589   25,249   34,473 
Restructuring charges & other adjustments  (410)  -   13,507   - 
Industrial & Recreational Products adjusted segment contribution margin  9,459   7,589   38,756   34,473 
Total adjusted segment contribution margin  18,928   120,377   191,923   465,252 
         
Operating expenses excluded from segment contribution margin        
Selling, general, and administrative expenses  12,617   22,295   53,118   74,475 
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense  18,995   16,587   66,754   59,379 
Stock compensation expense  (2,655)  7,897   4,525   16,571 
Corporate restructuring charges and other operating expense  2,289   2,551   2,299   3,163 
Interest expense, net  16,077   9,797   62,242   60,842 
Other non-operating expense  -   39   990   2,786 
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes $   (104,818) $   61,211   $   (93,869) $   248,036  
         

            

Contact Data