Wabash National Corporation Announces First Quarter 2016 Results; Reports Best First Quarter Performance in Company History and Increases Full-Year Outlook


  • First quarter GAAP and non-GAAP earnings of $0.42 per diluted share exceeds prior year period by 180 percent and 121 percent, respectively
  • Net sales of $448 million for first quarter 2016 represents best first quarter in company history
  • Record first quarter operating income of $48.2M increases 77 percent over prior year
  • Record gross margin and operating income margin of 17.8 percent and 10.8 percent, respectively
  • Non-GAAP full-year adjusted earnings guidance increases to $1.65 - $1.75 per diluted share representing a year over year improvement of 14 percent at the midpoint of the range

LAFAYETTE, Ind., April 26, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  Wabash National Corporation (NYSE:WNC), a diversified industrial manufacturer and North America’s leading producer of semi-trailers and liquid transportation systems, today reported results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016. 

Net income for the first quarter of 2016 was $27.5 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, compared to the first quarter 2015 net income of $10.5 million, or $0.15 per diluted share.  First quarter 2016 non-GAAP adjusted earnings increased $14.0 million over the prior year period to $27.8 million, or $0.42 per diluted share.  Non-GAAP adjusted earnings for the first quarter of 2016 includes an early extinguishment of debt charge of $0.5 million related to the Company’s repurchase of a portion of its outstanding convertible senior notes. 

Net sales for the first quarter increased 2 percent to $448 million from $438 million in the prior year quarter while operating income increased 77 percent on improved pricing and operational execution to $48.2 million, compared to $27.3 million for the first quarter of 2015.  Operating EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure that excludes the effects of certain recurring and non-recurring items, for the first quarter of 2016 was $59.8 million, an increase of $20.7 million, or 53 percent, compared to operating EBITDA for the prior year period.  On a trailing twelve month basis, net sales exceeded $2.0 billion, generating Operating EBITDA of $250.1 million, or 12.3 percent of net sales.  The continued year-over-year improvement in operating performance is attributable to the successful execution of the Company’s growth and diversification strategies, strong pricing environment within our Commercial Trailer Products segment and operational improvements across the Company’s manufacturing facilities.

The following is a summary of select operating and financial results for the past five quarters:

     
   Three Months Ended 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)  March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31, March 31, 
   2015   2015   2015   2015   2016  
    
Net Sales  $437,597  $514,831  $531,350  $543,711  $447,676  
             
Gross Profit Margin   13.1%  14.1%  16.2%  16.2%  17.8% 
             
Income from Operations  $27,263  $42,054  $56,389  $54,663  $48,185  
             
Income from Operations Margin   6.2%  8.2%  10.6%  10.1%  10.8% 
             
Net Income  $10,474  $28,649  $31,880  $33,286  $27,524  
 
Diluted EPS  $0.15  $0.41  $0.47  $0.50  $0.42  
             
Non-GAAP Measures(1):            
Operating EBITDA  $39,135  $53,655  $68,030  $68,643  $59,820  
 
Operating EBITDA Margin   8.9%  10.4%  12.8%  12.6%  13.4% 
             
Adjusted Earnings  $13,788  $23,586  $31,880  $34,138  $27,831  
             
Adjusted Diluted EPS  $0.19  $0.33  $0.47  $0.51  $0.42  
   `   `     

Notes:

(1) See “Non-GAAP Measures” below for explanation of the non-GAAP results included above.

Dick Giromini, president and chief executive officer, stated, “First quarter results represent the best in our Company’s history as we set first quarter records for sales, gross profit, income from operations and operating EBITDA.  Furthermore, we established new records for gross profit margin and operating income margin of 17.8 percent and 10.8 percent, respectively.  The momentum generated in 2015 has continued into the first quarter of 2016 with strong operational execution throughout the Company, along with margin enhancement through improved pricing and a continued strong demand environment within our Commercial Trailer Products segment.”

Mr. Giromini continued, “New trailer shipments for the first quarter were approximately 14,500, exceeding our previous guidance of 13,000 to 14,000 trailers driven by strong customer pick-ups and favorable weather conditions.  A robust backlog of $1.1 billion; overall trailer market projections by ACT Research and FTR; customer commentary; and outstanding operational execution across the business, have put us on pace to deliver another record year in 2016, our fifth consecutive year of record performance.  As such, we are increasing our full-year adjusted earnings guidance to $1.65 to $1.75 per diluted share.”

First Quarter Business Segment Highlights
The table below is a summary of select segment operating and financial results prior to the elimination of intersegment sales for the first quarter of 2016 and 2015, respectively.  A complete disclosure of the results by individual segment is included in the tables following this release.

   
(dollars in thousands) Commercial Diversified  
   Trailer Products Products Retail
Three months ended March 31,      
 2016      
New trailers shipped  14,300   500   400 
Net sales $354,848  $79,424  $34,037 
Gross profit $59,583  $18,524  $3,785 
Gross profit margin  16.8%  23.3%  11.1%
Income (Loss) from operations $52,060  $6,622  $(149)
Income (Loss) from operations margin  14.7%  8.3%  -0.4%
        
 2015      
New trailers shipped  13,600   850   750 
Net sales $314,504  $103,992  $43,140 
Gross profit $29,633  $23,373  $4,853 
Gross profit margin  9.4%  22.5%  11.2%
Income from operations $22,770  $10,611  $1,126 
Income from operations margin  7.2%  10.2%  2.6%
        

Commercial Trailer Products’ net sales increased $40 million, or 12.8 percent, on shipments of 14,300 trailers, or 700 more trailers than the prior year period.  This increase in revenue was primarily due to an improved pricing environment, a 5.1 percent increase in trailer shipments and product mix.  Supported by higher volumes, pricing and continued operational improvements, gross profit and gross profit margin increased $30.0 million and 740 basis points, respectively, as compared to the same period last year.  Operating income increased $29.3 million, or 128.6 percent, from the first quarter last year to $52.1 million.

Diversified Products’ net sales decreased $25 million, or 23.6 percent, primarily the result of lower tank trailer shipments as compared to the previous year period.  Demand for non-trailer truck mounted equipment, process systems and composite products were comparable with the previous year period.  Gross profit and operating income declined $4.8 million and $4.0 million, respectively, compared to the prior year period, primarily due to lower overall net sales and pricing pressures on certain products.  However, gross profit margin improved 80 basis points as compared to the prior year as a result of continued strong operational execution and product mix.

Retail’s net sales of $34 million decreased 21.1 percent compared with the prior year period primarily due to lower shipments of new trailers.  Gross profit and operating income declined $1.1 million and $1.3 million, respectively, compared to the prior year period due to lower net sales.  Gross profit margin of 11.1 percent was comparable with the prior year period despite lower sales due to a higher mix of parts and service product lines.

Non-GAAP Measures
In addition to disclosing financial results calculated in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the financial information included in this release contains non-GAAP financial measures, including operating EBITDA, operating EBITDA margin, adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per diluted share.

These non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures and results calculated in accordance with GAAP, including net income, and reconciliations to GAAP financial statements should be carefully evaluated.

Operating EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, impairment of intangibles and other non-operating income and expense.  Management believes operating EBITDA provides useful information to investors regarding the Company’s results of operations.  The Company provides this measure because we believe it is useful for investors to understand the Company’s performance period to period with the exclusion of the recurring and non-recurring items identified above.  Management believes the presentation of operating EBITDA, when combined with the primary GAAP presentation of operating income, is beneficial to an investor’s understanding of the Company’s operating performance.  A reconciliation of operating EBITDA to net income is included in the tables following this release.

Adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per diluted share for the first quarter of 2016 and 2015 reflect adjustments for charges related to the extinguishment of debt.  For certain other periods presented, we have excluded from these measures income recognized on the sale of former retail branch locations as well as charges related to losses incurred in connection with the Company’s impairment of intangible assets.  Management believes providing these measures and excluding these items facilitate comparisons to the Company’s prior year periods and, when combined with the primary GAAP presentation of net income and diluted net income per share, is beneficial to an investor’s understanding of the Company’s performance.  A reconciliation of adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per diluted share to net income and diluted net income per share is included in the tables following this release.

First Quarter 2016 Conference Call
Wabash National will conduct a conference call to review and discuss its first quarter results on April 27, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. EDT.  Access to the live webcast will be available on the Company’s website at www.wabashnational.com.  For those unable to participate in the live webcast, the call will be archived at www.wabashnational.com within three hours of the conclusion of the live call and will remain available through July 20, 2016.  Meeting access also will be available via conference call at 888-771-4371, participant code 42294454.

About Wabash National Corporation

Headquartered in Lafayette, Indiana, Wabash National Corporation (NYSE:WNC) is a diversified industrial manufacturer and North America’s leading producer of semi-trailers and liquid transportation systems. Established in 1985, the Company manufactures a diverse range of products including: dry freight and refrigerated trailers, platform trailers, bulk tank trailers, dry and refrigerated truck bodies, truck-mounted tanks, intermodal equipment, aircraft refueling equipment, structural composite panels and products, trailer aerodynamic solutions, and specialty food grade and pharmaceutical equipment. Its innovative products are sold under the following brand names: Wabash National®, Beall®, Benson®, Brenner® Tank, Bulk Tank International, DuraPlate®, Extract Technology®, Garsite, Progress Tank, Transcraft®, Walker Engineered Products, and Walker Transport. Visit www.wabashnational.com to learn more.

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements convey the Company’s current expectations or forecasts of future events. All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, the Company’s adjusted earnings guidance for 2016, statements regarding the Company’s outlook for trailer shipments, backlog, expectations regarding demand levels for trailers, non-trailer equipment and our other diversified products, pricing, profitability and earnings, cash flow and liquidity, opportunity to capture higher margin sales, new product innovations, and our growth and diversification strategies.  These and the Company’s other forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements. Without limitation, these risks and uncertainties include the uncertain economic conditions including the possibility that customer demand may not meet our expectations, increased competition, reliance on certain customers and corporate partnerships, risks of customer pick-up delays, shortages and costs of raw materials, risks in implementing and sustaining improvements in the Company’s manufacturing capacity and cost containment, dependence on industry trends and timing and costs of indebtedness.  Readers should review and consider the various disclosures made by the Company in this press release and in the Company’s reports to its stockholders and periodic reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q.

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
       
   Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
    2016   2015  
       
Net sales $447,676  $437,597  
Cost of sales  368,150   380,400  
 Gross profit  79,526   57,197  
       
General and administrative expenses  19,392   18,051  
Selling expenses  6,961   6,569  
Amortization of intangibles  4,988   5,314  
 Income from operations  48,185   27,263  
       
Other income (expense):     
 Interest expense  (4,095)  (5,173) 
 Other, net  (398)  (5,382) 
 Income before income taxes  43,692   16,708  
Income tax expense  16,168   6,234  
Net income $27,524  $10,474  
Basic net income per share $0.42  $0.15  
Diluted net income per share $0.42  $0.15  
       
Comprehensive income     
 Net income $27,524  $10,474  
 Foreign currency translation adjustment  (97)  (303) 
Net comprehensive income $27,427  $10,171  
       
       
Basic net income per share:     
 Net income applicable to common stockholders $27,524  $10,474  
 Weighted average common shares outstanding  65,037   68,731  
 Basic net income per share $0.42  $0.15  
       
Diluted net income per share:     
 Net income applicable to common stockholders $27,524  $10,474  
       
 Weighted average common shares outstanding  65,037   68,731  
 Dilutive shares from assumed conversion of convertible senior notes  -   1,729  
 Dilutive stock options and restricted stock  1,187   1,095  
 Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding  66,224   71,555  
 Diluted net income per share $0.42  $0.15  

 

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION
SEGMENTS AND RELATED INFORMATION
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
            
   Commercial  Diversified   Corporate and  
Three Months Ended March 31, Trailer Products Products Retail  Eliminations Consolidated
 2016          
New trailers shipped  14,300   500   400   (700)  14,500 
Used trailers shipped  150   50   150   (50)  300 
            
New Trailers $347,582  $29,776  $11,839  $(17,388) $371,809 
Used Trailers  1,715   901   2,393   (256)  4,753 
Components, parts and service  1,630   20,522   19,768   (2,985)  38,935 
Equipment and other  3,921   28,225   37   (4)  32,179 
 Total net external sales $354,848  $79,424  $34,037  $(20,633) $447,676 
            
Gross profit $59,583  $18,524  $3,785  $(2,366) $79,526 
Income (Loss) from operations $52,060  $6,622  $(149) $(10,348) $48,185 
            
 2015          
New trailers shipped  13,600   850   750   (850)  14,350 
Used trailers shipped  100   50   200   -   350 
            
New Trailers $307,680  $54,018  $19,857  $(20,283) $361,272 
Used Trailers  2,170   1,169   2,571   (327)  5,583 
Components, parts and service  1,391   23,463   19,941   (3,282)  41,513 
Equipment and other  3,263   25,342   771   (147)  29,229 
 Total net external sales $314,504  $103,992  $43,140  $(24,039) $437,597 
            
Gross profit $29,633  $23,373  $4,853  $(662) $57,197 
Income (Loss) from operations $22,770  $10,611  $1,126  $(7,244) $27,263 
            

 

 
WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)
       
    March 31, December 31,
     2016   2015 
    (Unaudited)  
ASSETS
Current assets    
 Cash and cash equivalents $168,411  $178,853 
 Accounts receivable  159,443   152,824 
 Inventories  208,209   166,982 
 Deferred income taxes  -   22,431 
 Prepaid expenses and other  12,180   8,417 
  Total current assets $548,243  $529,507 
       
Property, plant and equipment  138,722   140,438 
       
Deferred income taxes  14,255   1,358 
       
Goodwill   149,768   149,718 
       
Intangible assets  109,548   114,616 
       
Other assets  15,134   14,033 
    $975,670  $949,670 
       
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities    
 Current portion of long-term debt $2,451  $37,611 
 Current portion of capital lease obligations  708   806 
 Accounts payable  123,720   79,618 
 Other accrued liabilities  95,256   93,042 
  Total current liabilities $222,135  $211,077 
       
Long-term debt  277,690   274,885 
       
Capital lease obligations  1,748   1,875 
       
Deferred income taxes  649   1,497 
       
Other noncurrent liabilities  21,473   20,525 
       
Commitments and contingencies  -   - 
       
Stockholders' equity  451,975   439,811 
    $975,670  $949,670 
           

 

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(Dollars in thousands) 
(Unaudited) 
  
 Three Months Ended March 31, 
    2016   2015  
     
Cash flows from operating activities      
 Net income  $27,524  $10,474  
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities    
 Depreciation   4,176   4,138  
  Amortization of intangibles   4,988   5,314  
  Deferred income taxes   7,595   1,642  
  Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation   (1,090)  -  
  Loss on debt extinguishment   487   5,286  
  Stock-based compensation   2,470   2,420  
  Non-cash interest expense   948   1,185  
 Changes in operating assets and liabilities    
 Accounts receivable   (6,619)  (21,686) 
 Inventories   (41,227)  (65,843) 
 Prepaid expenses and other   (3,763)  3,216  
 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   46,316   57,625  
 Other, net   1,099   458  
 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities  $42,904  $4,229  
             
Cash flows from investing activities      
 Capital expenditures   (2,976)  (2,975) 
 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities  $(2,976) $(2,975) 
             
Cash flows from financing activities      
 Proceeds from exercise of stock options   192   719  
 Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation    1,090   -  
 Borrowings under revolving credit facilities   175   163  
 Payments under revolving credit facilities   (175)  (163) 
 Principal payments under capital lease obligations   (225)  (432) 
 Proceeds from issuance of term loan credit facility   -   192,845  
 Principal payments under term loan credit facility   (482)  (192,845) 
 Principal payments under industrial revenue bond   (127)  (122) 
 Debt issuance costs paid   -   (1,994) 
 Stock repurchase   (8,757)  (19,929) 
 Convertible senior notes repurchase   (42,061)  -  
 Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  $(50,370) $(21,758) 
             
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  $(10,442) $(20,504) 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   178,853   146,113  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $168,411  $125,609  
             

 

 
WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES TO
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
            
Operating EBITDA1:           
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
        
  2016   2015         
Net income$  27,524  $  10,474         
Income tax expense   16,168     6,234         
Interest expense   4,095     5,173         
Depreciation and amortization   9,164     9,452         
Stock-based compensation   2,470     2,420         
Impairment of Intangibles   -      -          
Other non-operating (income) expense   398     5,382         
Operating EBITDA$  59,819  $  39,135         
            
            
 Three Months Ended Trailing Twelve Months  
 June 30,
2015
 September 30,
2015
 December 31,
2015
 March 31,
2016
 March 31,
2016
  
Net income $  28,649  $  31,880  $  33,286  $  27,524  $  121,338   
Income tax expense   16,672     19,538     16,578     16,168     68,957   
Interest expense   4,802     4,784     4,789     4,095     18,470   
Depreciation and amortization   9,482     9,525     9,538     9,164     37,709   
Stock-based compensation   2,119     2,116     3,355     2,470     10,060   
Impairment of Intangibles   -      -      1,087     -      1,087   
Other non-operating (income) expense   (8,069)    187     10     398     (7,474)  
Operating EBITDA$  53,655  $  68,030  $  68,643  $  59,819  $  250,147   
            
            
Adjusted Earnings2:           
 Three Months Ended March 31,    
  2016   2015     
 $ Per Share $ Per Share    
            
Net Income$  27,524  $  0.42  $  10,474  $  0.15     
            
Adjustments:           
Loss on debt extinguishment, net of taxes   307     -      3,314     0.05     
            
Adjusted earnings$  27,831  $  0.42  $  13,788  $  0.19     
            
Weighted Average # of Diluted Shares O/S   66,224       71,557       
            
            
 Three Months Ended
 June 30, 2015 September 30, 2015 December 31, 2015
 $ Per Share $ Per Share $ Per Share
            
Net Income$  28,649  $  0.41  $  31,880  $  0.47  $  33,286  $  0.50 
            
Adjustments:           
Loss on debt extinguishment, net of taxes   211     -      -      -      126     -  
Impairment of intangibles, net of taxes   -      -      -      -      726     0.01 
Branch Transactions, net of taxes   (5,274)    (0.07)    -      -      -      -  
            
Adjusted earnings$  23,586  $  0.33  $  31,880  $  0.47  $  34,138  $  0.51 
            
Weighted Average # of Diluted Shares O/S   70,694       68,042       67,218   
            
1Operating EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, and other non-operating income and expense.
 
2Adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per diluted share reflect adjustments for non-recurring charges related to losses incurred in connection with the Company’s extinguishment of debt.  Historically, we have also excluded income recognized on the sale of former retail branch locations as well as an impairment of intangibles.

 


            

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