MISTRAS Announces First Quarter 2023 Results


Revenue increase of 3.9% as reported; up 5.5% in constant currency
Continued Gross Margin improvement - Gross Profit Margin increase of 270 basis points
Significantly improved Cash provided by Operating Activities and Free Cash Flow

PRINCETON JUNCTION, N.J., May 03, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MISTRAS Group, Inc. (MG: NYSE), a leading "one source" multinational provider of integrated technology-enabled asset protection solutions, reported financial results for its first quarter of 2023.

Highlights of the First Quarter 2023*

  • Revenue of $168.0 million, up 3.9% as reported, a 5.5% increase excluding the impact of unfavorable foreign currency exchange**
  • Gross profit of $46.1 million, up 15.5%, with gross profit margin of 27.4%, a 270 basis points improvement
  • Net loss decreased to $5.0 million, with Adjusted EBITDA up 88.1% to $10.4 million
  • Operating cash flow of $4.4 million
  • Leverage ratio reduced to 3.25 times

* All comparisons are consolidated and versus the equivalent prior year period, unless otherwise noted.
** Foreign currency exchange impact is calculated by converting current period financial results in local currency, using the prior period exchange rates, and comparing this amount to the current period financial results in local currency using the current period exchange rate.

First quarter 2023 consolidated revenue was $168.0 million, a 3.9% increase, or a 5.5% improvement excluding the impact of unfavorable foreign currency exchange of $2.5 million. First quarter 2023 gross profit increased 15.5% with gross profit margin expanding 270 basis points, as compared to the year ago period, primarily due to lower healthcare expenses and an improved sales mix in the current year. Selling, general and administrative expenses in the first quarter of 2023 were $42.8 million, up from $41.9 million in the first quarter of 2022, yet down as a percentage of revenue.

Chief Executive Officer Dennis Bertolotti commented, “We continue to make significant progress capitalizing on our strong market position and innovative new technologies, to grow Mistras and improve profitability. The first quarter of 2023 was evidence of this, as our revenue grew 5.5% in constant currency, our gross margin expanded 270 basis points and we drove SG&A as a percentage of revenue down by over 40 basis points, resulting in an adjusted EBITDA increase of 88%. And our overall financial condition also continued to improve, with our bank defined leverage ratio reduced to just under 3.25X as of quarter end, the lowest level it has been since immediately prior to the Onstream acquisition in December 2018, well on the way to achieving our goal of being under 3.0X by year end.”

Mr. Bertolotti continued, “We saw strength in our Energy business, which is benefiting from the rapid growth of our Data Solutions revenues. I am particularly pleased with the growth of Data Solutions, which includes our Flagship OneSuite, PCMS, New Century, and the majority of our Onstream business, along with various other data monitoring services, including Sensoria as well as our sensor technology. Data Solutions permeates throughout all Mistras geographies and industries, and grew by over 35% in the quarter. Data Solutions now represent 10.0% of our total consolidated revenue, as compared to 7.7% of our total consolidated revenue for the first quarter of 2022. Our Onstream inline inspection testing (ILI) business has continued its record 2022 performance into the first quarter of 2023. Onstream generates a considerable proportion of its revenues from Data Solutions, and it serves both the Upstream and Midstream markets. This versatility is helping to generate robust growth and margins, which we expect to continue in 2023.”

Mr. Bertolotti concluded, “Revenue, gross margin and the bottom-line financial results all improved over last year, driven by strength across most of our end markets including our largest end market, wherein we saw growth fostered by our Data Solutions offerings. Our cash flow also improved in the first quarter, aided by a reduction in average days sales outstanding, allowing us to make a modest debt paydown in the quarter, wherein we are typically a net borrower in the first quarter of any given year. This is another sign of our recovering business model, as we continue to improve our financial strength. Overall, our first quarter financial results were in line with our most recent Outlook for the full year 2023, which we are reaffirming today.”

Performance by certain segments during the first quarter was as follows:
During the first quarter of 2023, the Company renamed the Services segment as “North America” to closely align with the geographical area in which the Segment primarily operates. This has no change on the Company’s reportable operating segments.

North America segment (Referred to as “Services” in prior filings) first quarter revenue was $136.9 million, up 3.0% from $132.9 million in the prior year quarter and up 3.8% excluding the impact of unfavorable foreign currency exchange. Revenue continues to reflect stability and resilience in Energy markets. Although our Aerospace & Defense industry revenue was down for the quarter, we experienced growth in the Aerospace sub-industry which was offset by a decrease in Defense spending.   For the first quarter, gross profit was $36.6 million, compared to $30.5 million in the prior year. Gross profit margin was 26.8% for the first quarter of 2023, a 380 basis point improvement from 23.0% in the first quarter of the prior year. This increase was primarily due to lower healthcare expenses and an improved sales mix in the current year period.

International segment first quarter revenue was $29.4 million, up 4.5% from $28.1 million in the prior year quarter and up 9.7% excluding the impact of unfavorable foreign currency exchange. This revenue growth is primarily due to increased turnaround projects in the current quarter. International segment first quarter gross profit margin was 25.1%, compared to 29.1% in the prior year, a 400-basis point decrease, primarily attributable to inflationary pressures including rising energy costs in Europe in excess of the Company’s expectations.

Consolidated Results
The Company generated a net loss of $5.0 million in the first quarter of 2023, slightly improved from the net loss of $5.4 million in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA was $10.4 million in the first quarter of 2023 compared to $5.5 million in the prior year, an increase of 88.1%, primarily attributable to the improved gross profit.

Cash Flow and Balance Sheet
The Company’s net cash provided by operating activities was $4.4 million for the first quarter of 2023, compared to negative $5.4 million in the prior year. Free cash flow was negative $0.3 million for the first quarter of 2023, compared to negative $8.6 million in the prior year. The Company’s improved cash flow was primarily attributable to an improved days sales outstanding during the quarter. Capital expenditures increased by $1.5 million versus the prior year quarter, as the Company is increasing investments to foster revenue growth.

The Company’s gross debt was $189.3 million as of March 31, 2023, compared to $191.3 million as of December 31, 2022. This decrease was due to $2.0 million of debt repayment made during the quarter.

Reorganization and Other
During the quarter, the Company recorded $2.1 million of reorganization costs related to on-going efficiency and productivity growth initiatives. For the quarter, these charges included professional fees and certain restructuring charges associated with planned shifts to the Company’s operations.

Outlook
The Company reaffirms the 2023 full year guidance previously provided, that being:

  1. Revenue between $710 and $740 million,
  2. Adjusted EBITDA between $70 and $75 million,
  3. Free cash flow between $30 and $33 million.

Conference Call
In connection with this release, MISTRAS will hold a conference call on May 4, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern).
To listen to the live webcast of the conference call, visit the Investor Relations section of MISTRAS Group’s website at www.mistrasgroup.com

Note there is a new process to participate in the live question and answer session. Individuals wishing to participate may preregister at: https://register.vevent.com/register/BIa51a871e529349a8b0cdbc645b2234f6

Upon registering, a dial-in number and unique PIN will be provided to join the conference call. Following the conference call, an archived webcast of the event will be available for one year by visiting the Investor Relations section of MISTRAS Group’s website.

About MISTRAS Group, Inc. - One Source for Asset Protection Solutions®
MISTRAS Group, Inc. (NYSE: MG) is a leading "one source" multinational provider of integrated technology-enabled asset protection solutions, helping to maximize the safety and operational uptime for civilization’s most critical industrial and civil assets.

Backed by an innovative, data-driven asset protection portfolio, proprietary technologies, and decades-long legacy of industry leadership, MISTRAS leads clients in the oil and gas, aerospace and defense, power generation, civil infrastructure, and manufacturing industries towards achieving and maintaining operational excellence. By supporting these organizations that help fuel our vehicles and power our society; inspecting components that are trusted for commercial, defense, and space craft; and building real-time monitoring equipment to enable safe travel across bridges, MISTRAS helps the world at large.

MISTRAS enhances value for its clients by integrating asset protection throughout supply chains and centralizing integrity data through a suite of Industrial IoT-connected digital software and monitoring solutions. The company’s core capabilities also include non-destructive testing (“NDT”) field inspections enhanced by advanced robotics, laboratory quality control and assurance testing, sensing technologies and NDT equipment, asset and mechanical integrity engineering services, and light mechanical maintenance and access services.

For more information about how MISTRAS helps protect civilization’s critical infrastructure, visit www.mistrasgroup.com or contact Nestor S. Makarigakis, Group Vice President of Marketing at marcom@mistrasgroup.com.

Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements
Certain statements made in this press release are "forward-looking statements" about MISTRAS' financial results and estimates, products and services, business model, strategy, growth opportunities, profitability and competitive position, and other matters. These forward-looking statements generally use words such as "future," "possible," "potential," "targeted," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "predict," "project," "will," "may," "should," "could," "would" and other similar words and phrases. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by which, such performance or results will be achieved, if at all. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in these statements. A list, description and discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties can be found in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 15, 2023, as updated by our reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and MISTRAS undertakes no obligation to update such statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures
In addition to financial information prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (GAAP), this press release also contains adjusted financial measures that we believe provide investors and management with supplemental information relating to operating performance and trends that facilitate comparisons between periods and with respect to projected information. The term "Adjusted EBITDA" used in this release is a financial measurement not calculated in accordance with GAAP and is defined as net income attributable to MISTRAS Group, Inc. plus: interest expense, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation expense, certain acquisition related costs (including transaction due diligence costs and adjustments to the fair value of contingent consideration), foreign exchange (gain) loss, non-cash impairment charges, reorganization and related charges and, if applicable, certain additional special items which are noted. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to a financial measurement under GAAP is set forth in a table attached to this press release. The Company also uses the term “net debt”, a non-GAAP measurement defined as the sum of the current and long-term portions of long-term debt, less cash and cash equivalents and the term “free cash flow”, a non-GAAP measurement the Company defines as cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures (which is classified as an investing activity). A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measurements to GAAP are also set forth in tables attached to this press release. In the tables attached is also a table reconciling “Segment and Total Company Income (Loss) from Operations (GAAP) to Income (Loss) from Operations before Special Items (non-GAAP)", “Net Loss (GAAP) and Diluted EPS (GAAP) to Net Loss Excluding Special Items (non-GAAP) and Diluted EPS Excluding Special Items (non-GAAP)” which reconciles the non-GAAP amounts to GAAP measurements.

Mistras Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 March 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
ASSETS(unaudited)  
Current Assets   
Cash and cash equivalents$16,717  $20,488 
Accounts receivable, net 120,425   123,657 
Inventories 14,763   13,556 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 14,008   10,181 
Total current assets 165,913   167,882 
Property, plant and equipment, net 78,816   77,561 
Intangible assets, net 47,360   49,015 
Goodwill 199,956   199,635 
Deferred income taxes 326   779 
Other assets 38,448   40,032 
Total assets$530,819  $534,904 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY   
Current Liabilities   
Accounts payable$13,640  $12,532 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 77,127   77,844 
Current portion of long-term debt 7,372   7,425 
Current portion of finance lease obligations 4,752   4,201 
Income taxes payable 333   1,726 
Total current liabilities 103,224   103,728 
Long-term debt, net of current portion 181,972   183,826 
Obligations under finance leases, net of current portion 11,170   10,045 
Deferred income taxes 7,874   6,283 
Other long-term liabilities 30,431   32,273 
Total liabilities 334,671   336,155 
Commitments and contingencies   
Equity   
Preferred stock, 10,000,000 shares authorized     
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 30,230,446 and 29,895,487 shares issued and outstanding 302   298 
Additional paid-in capital 244,131   243,031 
Accumulated deficit (16,475)  (11,489)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (32,117)  (33,390)
Total Mistras Group, Inc. stockholders’ equity 195,841   198,450 
Noncontrolling interests 307   299 
Total equity 196,148   198,749 
Total liabilities and equity$530,819  $534,904 
        

Mistras Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Loss
(in thousands, except per share data)

 Three months ended March 31,
  2023   2022 
    
Revenue$168,016  $161,662 
Cost of revenue 116,051   115,758 
Depreciation 5,888   6,012 
Gross profit 46,077   39,892 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 42,823   41,922 
Reorganization and other costs 2,076   114 
Legal settlement and insurance recoveries, net    (841)
Research and engineering 480   551 
Depreciation and amortization 2,525   2,795 
Acquisition-related expense, net 3   49 
Loss from operations (1,830)  (4,698)
Interest expense 4,068   1,938 
Loss before benefit for income taxes (5,898)  (6,636)
Benefit for income taxes (920)  (1,283)
Net Loss (4,978)  (5,353)
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of taxes 8   10 
Net Loss attributable to Mistras Group, Inc.$(4,986) $(5,363)
    
Loss per common share:   
Basic$(0.17) $(0.18)
Diluted$(0.17) $(0.18)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:   
Basic 30,021   29,634 
Diluted 30,021   29,634 
        

Mistras Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Operating Data by Segment
(in thousands)

 Three months ended March 31,
  2023   2022 
Revenues   
North America$136,932  $132,946 
International 29,407   28,138 
Products and Systems 3,739   2,936 
Corporate and eliminations (2,062)  (2,358)
 $168,016  $161,662 
    
 Three months ended March 31,
  2023   2022 
Gross profit   
North America$36,637  $30,526 
International 7,367   8,190 
Products and Systems 2,063   1,168 
Corporate and eliminations 10   8 
 $46,077  $39,892 
        

Mistras Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Revenues by Category
(in thousands)

Revenue by industry was as follows:

Three Months Ended March 31, 2023North America International Products & Systems Corp/Elim Total
Oil & Gas$89,773  $8,855  $37     $98,665 
Aerospace & Defense 13,611   4,980   11      18,602 
Industrials 9,302   6,053   558      15,913 
Power generation & Transmission 4,987   1,657   1,326      7,970 
Other Process Industries 9,109   3,237   27      12,373 
Infrastructure, Research & Engineering 2,483   2,136   1,142      5,761 
Petrochemical 5,137   145         5,282 
Other 2,530   2,344   638   (2,062)  3,450 
Total$136,932  $29,407  $3,739  $(2,062) $168,016 


Three Months Ended March 31, 2022North America International Products & Systems Corp/Elim Total
Oil & Gas$86,613  $7,572  $38     $94,223 
Aerospace & Defense 15,022   4,940   108      20,070 
Industrials 9,007   5,528   502      15,037 
Power generation & Transmission 3,822   2,562   845      7,229 
Other Process Industries 10,293   3,518   1      13,812 
Infrastructure, Research & Engineering 2,506   2,039   897      5,442 
Petrochemical 3,045   78         3,123 
Other 2,638   1,901   545   (2,358)  2,726 
Total$132,946  $28,138  $2,936  $(2,358) $161,662 
                    

Oil & Gas Revenue by sub-industry was as follows:

 Three months ended March 31,
  2023  2022(1)
 ($ in thousands)
Oil and Gas Revenue   
Upstream$36,939  $32,265 
Midstream 21,231   24,907 
Downstream 40,495   37,051 
Total$98,665  $94,223 
_______________
(1)Prior year Oil and Gas composition was restated to conform with the Current year presentation, specifically $9.4 million was removed from Upstream and re-classified as Downstream.
 

Consolidated Revenue by type was as follows:

 Three months ended March 31,
  2023   2022 
 ($ in thousands)
Field Services$109,680  $105,495 
Shop Laboratories 13,132   13,089 
Data Solutions 16,812   12,399 
Other 28,392   30,679 
Total$168,016  $161,662 
        

Mistras Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Reconciliation of Segment and Total Company Income (Loss) from Operations (GAAP) to
Income (Loss) from Operations before Special Items (non-GAAP)
(in thousands)

 Three months ended March 31,
  2023   2022 
  
North America:   
Income from operations (GAAP)$9,378  $3,761 
Reorganization and other costs 61   27 
Legal settlement and insurance recoveries, net    (841)
Acquisition-related expense, net    44 
Income from operations before special items (non-GAAP)$9,439  $2,991 
International:   
Income (Loss) from operations (GAAP)$(568) $284 
Reorganization and other costs 107   87 
Income (Loss) from operations before special items (non-GAAP)$(461) $371 
Products and Systems:   
Income (Loss) from operations (GAAP)$384  $(582)
Income (Loss) from operations before special items (non-GAAP)$384  $(582)
Corporate and Eliminations:   
Loss from operations (GAAP)$(11,024) $(8,161)
Reorganization and other costs 1,908    
Acquisition-related expense, net 3   5 
Loss from operations before special items (non-GAAP)$(9,113) $(8,156)
Total Company:   
Loss from operations (GAAP)$(1,830) $(4,698)
Reorganization and other costs 2,076   114 
Legal settlement and insurance recoveries, net    (841)
Acquisition-related expense, net 3   49 
Income (Loss) from operations before special items (non-GAAP)$249  $(5,376)
        

Mistras Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Summary Cash Flow Information
(in thousands)

 Three months ended March 31,
  2023   2022 
Net cash provided by (used in):   
Operating activities$4,433  $(5,399)
Investing activities (4,460)  (2,737)
Financing activities (3,951)  4,323 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 207   (376)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents$(3,771) $(4,189)
    

Mistras Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities (GAAP) to Free Cash Flow (non-GAAP)
(in thousands)

 Three months ended March 31,
  2023   2022 
    
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (GAAP)$4,433  $(5,399)
Less:   
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (4,332)  (3,061)
Purchases of intangible assets (361)  (151)
Free cash flow (non-GAAP)$(260) $(8,611)
        

Mistras Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Reconciliation of Gross Debt (GAAP) to Net Debt (non-GAAP)
(in thousands)

 March 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
    
Current portion of long-term debt$7,372  $7,425 
Long-term debt, net of current portion 181,972   183,826 
Total Debt (Gross) 189,344   191,251 
Less: Cash and cash equivalents (16,717)  (20,488)
Total Debt (Net)$172,627  $170,763 
        

Mistras Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Reconciliation of Net Loss (GAAP) to Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)
(in thousands)

 Three Months Ended March 31,
  2023   2022 
  
Net Loss (GAAP)$(4,978) $(5,353)
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests, net of taxes 8   10 
Net Loss attributable to Mistras Group, Inc.$(4,986) $(5,363)
Interest expense 4,068   1,938 
Benefit for income taxes (920)  (1,283)
Depreciation and amortization 8,413   8,807 
Share-based compensation expense 1,542   1,515 
Acquisition-related expense 3   49 
Reorganization and other related costs 2,076   114 
Legal settlement and insurance recoveries, net    (841)
Foreign exchange loss 219   601 
Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)$10,415  $5,537 
        

Mistras Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Reconciliation of Net Loss (GAAP) and Diluted EPS (GAAP) to
Net Loss Excluding Special Items (non-GAAP) and Diluted EPS Excluding Special Items (non-GAAP)
(tabular dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 Three Months Ended March 31,
  2023   2022 
Net loss attributable to Mistras Group, Inc. (GAAP)$(4,986) $(5,363)
Special items 2,079   (678)
Tax impact on special items (504)  155 
Special items, net of tax$1,575  $(523)
Net loss attributable to Mistras Group, Inc. Excluding Special Items (non-GAAP)$(3,411) $(5,886)
    
Diluted EPS (GAAP)(1)$(0.17) $(0.18)
Special items, net of tax 0.05   (0.02)
Diluted EPS Excluding Special Items (non-GAAP)$(0.12) $(0.20)
_______________
(1) For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, 1,513,000 and 1,212,000 shares, respectively, related to restricted stock were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS due to the net loss for the period.