Third Quarter Revenues Increase 30% and Adjusted EBITDA Increases 36% over the Prior Year Third Quarter
YTD Revenues Increase 19% and Adjusted EBITDA Increases 26% Year-over-Year
PASADENA, Calif., May 8, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- General Finance Corporation (Nasdaq:GFN), a holding company that acquires, operates and enhances value for businesses in the mobile storage container and modular space industries, today announced its consolidated financial results for the third quarter ended March 31, 2012. The consolidated results include majority-owned Royal Wolf Holdings Limited ("Royal Wolf"), the leading provider of portable storage solutions in the Asia-Pacific regions of Australia and New Zealand, and wholly-owned Pac-Van, Inc. ("Pac-Van"), a prominent regional provider of portable storage and office containers, mobile offices and modular buildings in the United States.
Third Quarter 2012 Highlights
- Total revenues were $56.2 million, an increase of 30% over the third quarter of fiscal year 2011.
- Leasing revenues comprised 49% of total revenues versus 53% for the third quarter of fiscal year 2011.
- Adjusted EBITDA was $12.5 million, an increase of 36% over the third quarter of fiscal year 2011.
- Adjusted EBITDA margin was 22%, an increase from 21% in the third quarter of fiscal year 2011.
- Net income attributable to common shareholders was $1.2 million, or $0.05 per share, compared to a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $2.5 million, or $0.12 net loss per share, for the third quarter of fiscal year 2011.
- Total lease fleet increased by 14% to 47,321 units at quarter end from 41,346 units at June 30, 2011.
- Average fleet utilization at Royal Wolf was 85%.
- Average fleet utilization at Pac-Van was 75%.
YTD 2012 Highlights
- Total revenues were $157.1 million, an increase of 19% over the first nine months of fiscal year 2011.
- Leasing revenues comprised 49% of total revenues versus 50% for the first nine months of fiscal year 2011.
- Adjusted EBITDA was $34.2 million, an increase of 26% over the first nine months of fiscal year 2011.
- Adjusted EBITDA margin was 22%, an increase from 21% in the first nine months of fiscal year 2011.
- Net income attributable to common shareholders was $2.3 million, or $0.10 per share, compared to a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $1.2 million, or $0.06 net loss per share, for the first nine months of fiscal year 2011.
- Average fleet utilization at Royal Wolf was 85% for the first nine months of both fiscal years 2012 and 2011.
- Average fleet utilization at Pac-Van was 76%, an increase from 73% for the first nine months of fiscal year 2011.
Management Commentary
"We are pleased with the performance at both of our operating subsidiaries," said Ronald Valenta, President and Chief Executive Officer of General Finance Corporation. "Pac-Van delivered strong revenue growth and profitability, and Royal Wolf continued to show good results, driven by the ongoing strength in the Australian economy, improved demand across a majority of its end markets and rebuilding activity in New Zealand."
"In both venues we continue to expand our container fleet, while optimizing utilization, and are evaluating and pursuing additional container product opportunities and accretive acquisitions of portable container businesses, all consistent with our strategy for enhancing value," continued Mr. Valenta.
Charles Barrantes, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, then added, "Our overall leverage ratio is 3.6x, which we believe is an appropriate level for our business and is consistent with our efforts to balance our fleet and infrastructure growth with our goal of maintaining a strong balance sheet and delivering improving profitability."
Mr. Valenta concluded, "We look forward to completing what we believe will be an improved fourth quarter and solid current fiscal year, thereby entering fiscal year 2013 with strong operating momentum."
Third Quarter 2012 Operating Summary
Royal Wolf
Royal Wolf's revenues for the third quarter of fiscal year 2012 totaled $35.2 million, compared with $32.0 million for the third quarter of fiscal year 2011, an increase of 10%. Improved demand across a majority of the Company's end markets, particularly in the government, manufacturing and transportation sectors, drove the revenue increase. On a local currency basis, revenues increased by 5% in Australian dollars. Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter of fiscal year 2012 was $10.0 million, compared with $7.5 million for the year-ago quarter, an increase of 33%.
Pac-Van
Pac-Van's revenues for the third quarter of fiscal year 2012 increased over 85% to $21.0 million, compared with $11.3 million for the third quarter of fiscal year 2011, and adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter of fiscal year 2012 increased by 35% to $3.1 million, compared with $2.3 million for the year-ago quarter. Pac-Van's $9.7 million increase in revenues was due to improved demand across all product lines in most of the Company's end markets, particularly in the construction, industrial, commercial and government-related sectors.
Balance Sheet Overview
At March 31, 2012, General Finance had total debt of $171.7 million and cash and cash equivalents of $7.8 million, compared with $136.6 million and $6.6 million at June 30, 2011, respectively. During the first nine months of fiscal year 2012, the Company generated free cash flow before net fleet expenditures and business acquisitions of $15.3 million. Total net fleet expenditures for the first nine months of fiscal year 2012, which includes increases in inventory, were $47.6 million.
Inventories were $36.5 million at March 31, 2012, an increase from $20.9 million at June 30, 2011. Days sales outstanding in trade receivables at March 31, 2012 were 42 and 56 days for Royal Wolf and Pac-Van, compared to 42 and 49 days at June 30, 2011, respectively.
As of March 31, 2012, General Finance owned 50.2 million shares of Royal Wolf, or 50.005% of total shares outstanding. The value of these shares was approximately $101.6 million, or $4.62 per issued and outstanding GFN common share, based on Royal Wolf's March 30, 2012 closing price of A$1.95 and an AUD/USD exchange rate of 1.0387.
Outlook
Management continues to expect Royal Wolf revenues and EBITDA to grow in fiscal year 2012 consistent with the forecasts provided in the Royal Wolf IPO prospectus calling for revenues in excess of A$135 million, EBITDA of over A$35 million and average fleet utilization is expected to remain at or above 85%.
Based on Pac-Van's results year-to-date and outlook for the fourth quarter, management expects Pac-Van adjusted EBITDA to improve in fiscal year 2012, compared with fiscal year 2011. Average fleet utilization is expected to increase moderately, with the storage and office container utilization projected to be in excess of 80%.
Conference Call Details
Management will host a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. PDT (11:30 a.m. EDT) to discuss the Company's operating results. The conference call number for U.S. participants is (866) 901-5096 and the conference call number for participants outside the U.S. is (706) 643-3717. The conference ID number for both conference call numbers is 73904769. Additionally, interested parties can listen to a live webcast of the call in the "Investor Relations" section of the Company's website at http://www.generalfinance.com.
A replay of the conference call may be accessed through May 15, 2012 by dialing (800) 585-8367 (U.S.) or (404) 537-3406 (international), using conference ID 73904769. After the replay has expired, interested parties can listen to the conference call via webcast in the "Investor Relations" section of the Company's website at http://www.generalfinance.com.
About General Finance Corporation
General Finance Corporation (Nasdaq:GFN) (www.generalfinance.com) is a holding company headquartered in Pasadena, California that acquires, operates and enhances value for businesses in the mobile storage container and modular space ("portable services") industries. Management's expertise in these sectors drives disciplined growth strategies, operational guidance, effective capital allocation and capital markets support for the Company's subsidiaries. The Company's two principal subsidiaries are majority-owned Royal Wolf Holdings Limited (www.royalwolf.com.au), the leading provider of portable storage solutions in the Asia-Pacific regions of Australia and New Zealand, and wholly-owned Pac-Van, Inc. (www.pacvan.com), a prominent regional provider of portable storage and office containers, mobile offices and modular buildings in the United States. Royal Wolf's shares trade on the Australian Securities Exchange under the symbol "RWH."
The General Finance Corporation logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=11129
Cautionary Statement about Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this news release that are not historical facts are 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. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements addressing management's views with respect to future financial and operating results, competitive pressures, market interest rates for our variable rate indebtedness, our ability to raise capital or borrow additional funds, changes in the Australian or New Zealand dollar relative to the U.S. dollar, regulatory changes, customer defaults or insolvencies, litigation, acquisition of businesses that do not perform as we expect or that are difficult for us to integrate or control, our ability to procure adequate levels of products to meet customer demand, adverse resolution of any contract or other disputes with customers, declines in demand for our products and services from key industries such as the Australian mining industry or the U.S. construction industry or a write-off of all or a part of our goodwill and intangible assets. These involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements. We believe that the expectations represented by our forward-looking statements are reasonable, yet there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of the press release, and we do not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by applicable law. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties, including those contained in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
-Financial Tables to Follow-
| GENERAL FINANCE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||||
| CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | ||||
| (In thousands, except share and per share data) | ||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||
| Quarter Ended March 31, | Nine Months Ended March 31, | |||
| 2011 | 2012 | 2011 | 2012 | |
| Revenues | ||||
| Sales | $ 20,537 | $ 28,762 | $ 66,087 | $ 79,906 |
| Leasing | 22,785 | 27,392 | 65,597 | 77,148 |
| 43,322 | 56,154 | 131,684 | 157,054 | |
| Costs and expenses | ||||
| Cost of sales (exclusive of the items shown separately below) | 15,829 | 21,664 | 50,085 | 58,897 |
| Direct costs of leasing operations | 8,193 | 10,148 | 24,160 | 28,880 |
| Selling and general expenses | 10,302 | 12,081 | 30,894 | 35,696 |
| Depreciation and amortization | 4,720 | 4,904 | 14,252 | 14,144 |
| Operating income | 4,278 | 7,357 | 12,293 | 19,437 |
| Interest income | 124 | 13 | 354 | 141 |
| Interest expense | (4,822) | (2,610) | (13,454) | (8,900) |
| Foreign currency exchange gain and other | 108 | 576 | 4,573 | 899 |
| (4,590) | (2,021) | (8,527) | (7,860) | |
| Income (loss) before provision for income taxes | (312) | 5,336 | 3,766 | 11,577 |
| Provision (benefit) for income taxes | (116) | 2,029 | 1,425 | 4,401 |
| Net income (loss) | (196) | 3,307 | 2,341 | 7,176 |
| Preferred stock dividends | (45) | (44) | (132) | (133) |
| Noncontrolling interest | (2,298) | (2,095) | (3,444) | (4,771) |
| Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders | $ (2,539) | $ 1,168 | $ (1,235) | $ 2,272 |
| Net income (loss) per common share: | ||||
| Basic | $ (0.12) | $ 0.05 | $ (0.06) | $ 0.10 |
| Diluted | (0.12) | 0.05 | (0.06) | 0.10 |
| Weighted average shares outstanding: | ||||
| Basic | 22,013,299 | 22,013,299 | 22,013,299 | 22,013,299 |
| Diluted | 22,013,299 | 22,273,173 | 22,013,299 | 22,271,547 |
| GENERAL FINANCE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||
| CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||
| (In thousands, except share and per share data) | ||
| June 30, 2011 | March 31, 2012 | |
| (Unaudited) | ||
| Assets | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ 6,574 | $ 7,832 |
| Trade and other receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,381 and $2,429 at June 30, 2011 and March 31, 2012, respectively | 30,498 | 35,103 |
| Inventories | 20,942 | 36,461 |
| Prepaid expenses and other | 4,503 | 5,342 |
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 12,652 | 12,032 |
| Lease fleet, net | 220,095 | 247,307 |
| Goodwill | 68,948 | 68,209 |
| Other intangible assets, net | 23,358 | 18,954 |
| Total assets | $ 387,570 | $ 431,240 |
| Liabilities | ||
| Trade payables and accrued liabilities | $ 32,522 | $ 33,268 |
| Income taxes payable | 440 | 270 |
| Unearned revenue and advance payments | 10,292 | 10,970 |
| Senior and other debt | 136,589 | 171,713 |
| Deferred tax liabilities | 15,835 | 19,803 |
| Total liabilities | 195,678 | 236,024 |
| Commitments and contingencies | — | — |
| Equity | ||
| Cumulative preferred stock, $.0001 par value: 1,000,000 shares authorized; 26,000 shares issued and outstanding (in series) and liquidation value of $1,438 at June 30, 2011 and March 31, 2012 | 1,395 | 1,395 |
| Common stock, $.0001 par value: 100,000,000 shares authorized; 22,013,299 shares outstanding at June 30, 2011 and March 31, 2012 | 2 | 2 |
| Additional paid-in capital | 112,278 | 112,699 |
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 4,904 | 7,304 |
| Accumulated deficit | (25,490) | (23,085) |
| Total General Finance Corporation stockholders' equity | 93,089 | 98,315 |
| Equity of noncontrolling interests | 98,803 | 96,901 |
| Total equity | 191,892 | 195,216 |
| Total liabilities and equity | $ 387,570 | $ 431,240 |
Explanation and Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted earnings before interest, income taxes, impairment, depreciation and amortization and other non-operating costs and income ("EBITDA") is a non-U.S. GAAP measure. We calculate adjusted EBITDA to eliminate the impact of certain items we do not consider to be indicative of the performance of our ongoing operations. You are encouraged to evaluate each adjustment and whether you consider each to be appropriate. In addition, in evaluating adjusted EBITDA, you should be aware that in the future, we may incur expenses similar to the adjustments in the presentation of adjusted EBITDA. Our presentation of adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items. We present adjusted EBITDA because we consider it to be an important supplemental measure of our performance and because we believe it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in our industry, many of which present EBITDA and a form of our adjusted EBITDA when reporting their results. Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Because of these limitations, adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as a measure of discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business or to reduce our indebtedness. We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our U.S. GAAP results and using adjusted EBITDA only supplementally. The following table shows our adjusted EBITDA and the reconciliation from net income (in thousands):
| Quarter Ended March 31, | Nine Months Ended March 31, | |||
| 2011 | 2012 | 2011 | 2012 | |
| Net income (loss) | $ (196) | $ 3,307 | $ 2,341 | $ 7,176 |
| Add (deduct) — | ||||
| Provision for income taxes | (116) | 2,029 | 1,425 | 4,401 |
| Foreign currency exchange gain and other | (108) | (576) | (4,573) | (899) |
| Interest expense | 4,822 | 2,610 | 13,454 | 8,900 |
| Interest income | (124) | (13) | (354) | (141) |
| Depreciation and amortization | 4,720 | 4,904 | 14,252 | 14,144 |
| Share-based compensation expense | 212 | 234 | 581 | 654 |
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ 9,210 | $ 12,495 | $ 27,126 | $ 34,235 |