CVG Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results


Fourth quarter sales of $223 million, record annual sales of $995 million 
Full year adjusted EBITDA margins increased by 140 bps to 6.8% 
Provides outlook and guidance for full year 2024

NEW ALBANY, Ohio, March 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CVG (NASDAQ: CVGI), a diversified industrial products and services company, today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023.

Fourth Quarter 2023 Highlights (Compared with prior-year period, where comparisons are noted)

  • Revenue of $223.1 million, down 5.0% due primarily to the impacts of a strike-related labor stoppage at a customer facility and reduced demand across Vehicle Solutions, Industrial Automation and Aftermarket segments; however, Electrical Systems segment continues to show strong growth with 19.4% increased revenue.
  • Operating income of $5.0 million, up $9.0 million; adjusted operating income of $6.6 million, down $1.8 million. Lower adjusted operating income was driven primarily by lower volumes and increased SG&A.
  • Net income of $23.3 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, compared to net loss of $32.0, or $(0.98) per diluted share; adjusted net income of $2.9 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, versus $1.4 million, or $0.04 per diluted share.
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $10.3 million, down $2.9 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 4.6%, down from 5.7%.

Full Year 2023 Highlights (Compared with prior-year period, where comparisons are noted)

  • Revenue of $994.7 million, driven by pricing and the contribution of new business wins in Electrical Systems, offset by lower sales volume in Industrial Automation, Vehicle Solutions, and Aftermarket segments.
  • New business wins in excess of $150 million when fully ramped; these wins were concentrated in our Electrical Systems segment.
  • Operating income of $48.1 million, up $27.9 million, and adjusted operating income of $51.1 million, up $14.5 million. The increase in operating income was due to improved pricing and business mix.
  • Full-year 2023 debt paydown was $10.9 million, and net debt declined to $103.7 million; leverage ratio declined to 1.5x from 2.2x.

James Ray, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are pleased with our 2023 results as CVG continued winning new business, particularly in Electrical Systems, and made progress on the Company’s transformation plan, driving record annual sales and improved profitability for the year. As we look to fiscal 2024, we are focused on enhancing operational efficiency and quality standards, growing our Electrical Systems segment to be our largest business, as well as facilitating cross-functional collaboration among our various business segments to strengthen our core Vehicle Solutions business and cultivating stronger customer relationships.”

Mr. Ray concluded, “As the new CEO, I am grateful for the hard work of our talented global teams that help drive improvements in our business every day, and I am looking forward to a strong fiscal 2024.”

Andy Cheung, Chief Financial Officer, added, “We delivered another year of record revenue driven by continued price realization and new business wins, despite softer fourth quarter revenues which were impacted by, among other things, a UAW labor strike at one customer facility. Our strong performance resulted in free cash flow of $19 million in 2023, which has helped us further pay down debt and reduce our net leverage to 1.5x. During the quarter, we initiated several restructuring actions to better align our resources with investments in growth product lines, which we expect will further enhance profitability across our underlying core businesses. Despite industry forecasts for a lower Class 8 truck build in 2024, we expect our financial performance in 2024 to be more resilient as we continue our diversification strategy reflecting primarily the success in growing our Electrical Systems business.”

Financial Results
(amounts in millions except per share data and percentages)

 Fourth Quarter  
  2023   2022  Change
Revenues$223.1  $234.9  (5.0)%
Gross profit$26.2  $12.4  111.3%
Gross margin 11.7%  5.3%  
Adjusted gross profit1$26.0  $23.9  8.8%
Adjusted gross margin1 11.7%  10.2%  
Operating income (loss)$5.0  $(4.0) NM2
Operating margin 2.2% (1.7)%  
Adjusted operating income1$6.6  $8.4  (21.4)%
Adjusted operating margin1 2.9%  3.6%  
Net income (loss)$23.3  $(32.0) NM2
Adjusted net income (loss)1$2.9  $1.4  107.1%
Earnings (loss) per share, diluted$0.70  $(0.98) NM2
Adjusted earnings (loss) per share, diluted1$0.09  $0.04  125.0%
Adjusted EBITDA1$10.3  $13.3  (22.6)%
Adjusted EBITDA margin1 4.6%  5.7%  
1See Appendix A for GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliation  
2Not meaningful  

Consolidated Results

Fourth Quarter 2023 Results

  • Fourth quarter 2023 revenues were $223.1 million compared to $234.9 million in the prior year period, a decline of 5.0%. The decrease in revenues is due primarily to the impact of a strike at a customer facility, previous year benefit from a post-COVID backlog in Asia-Pacific, and reduced demand in Vehicle Solutions, Aftermarket, and Industrial Automation segments, which more than offset an increase in Electrical Systems revenue. Foreign currency translation favorably impacted fourth quarter 2023 revenues by $1.8 million, or by 0.7%.
  • Operating income for the fourth quarter 2023 was $5.0 million compared to operating loss of $4.0 million in the prior year period. Foreign currency translation also favorably impacted fourth quarter 2023 operating income by $0.7 million. Excluding special costs, the fourth quarter of 2023 adjusted operating income was $6.6 million, down 21.4%. The decline in adjusted operating income was driven primarily by lower volumes, strike impact, and higher SG&A.
  • Interest expense was $2.4 million and $2.9 million for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease in interest expense was due to lower average debt balances, partially offset by higher interest rates on variable debt.
  • Net income was $23.3 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter 2023 compared to net loss of $32.0 million, or $(0.98) per diluted share, in the prior year period.

At December 31, 2023, the Company had no outstanding borrowings on its revolving credit facility, $37.8 million of cash and $160.1 million availability from revolving credit facilities, resulting in total liquidity of $197.9 million.

Segment Results

Fourth Quarter 2023 Results (Compared with prior-year period, where comparisons are noted)

Vehicle Solutions Segment

  • Revenues were $128.4 million, a decrease of 10.1% primarily resulting from lower volumes and the impact of a strike at a customer facility during the quarter.
  • Operating income for the fourth quarter 2023 was $3.6 million, a decrease of 1.8%. Excluding special costs, the fourth quarter of 2023 adjusted operating income was $4.0 million, a decrease of 3.9%, as compared to the fourth quarter 2022, primarily due to the impact of lower sales volumes partially offset by pricing improvement and cost controls.

Electrical Systems Segment

  • Revenues were $56.2 million, an increase of 19.4%, primarily resulting from increased pricing and sales volume.
  • Operating income was $6.7 million, an increase of 25.0% primarily attributable to pricing and volume leverage.

Aftermarket and Accessories Segment

  • Revenues were $31.4 million, a decrease of 8.1%, primarily resulting from decreased sales volume.
  • Operating income was $3.4 million, an increase of 7.3%. Excluding special costs, the fourth quarter of 2023 adjusted operating income decreased 6.4%, as compared to the fourth quarter 2022, primarily due to the lower sales volume, partially offset by increased pricing.   

Industrial Automation Segment

  • Revenues were $7.1 million, a decrease of 35.0%, due to lower sales volume from decreased customer demand.
  • Operating income was $0.9 million, compared to operating loss of $11.9 million in the prior year. Fourth quarter of 2023 adjusted operating income increased to $0.3 million, compared to an adjusted operating loss of $0.5 million in the fourth quarter 2022, primarily due to cost controls.

Outlook

CVG is providing the following outlook for the full year 2024:

Metric2024 Outlook ($ millions)
Net Sales$915 - $1,015
Adjusted EBITDA$60 - $73

This outlook reflects, among others, current industry forecasts for North American Class 8 truck builds. According to ACT Research, 2024 North American Class 8 truck production levels are expected to be at 285,000 units. The 2023 actual Class 8 truck builds according to the ACT Research was 340,140 units.

We expect to benefit from growth in Electrical Systems, partially offsetting the projected 16% decline in Class 8 truck builds.

GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation

A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures referenced in this release is included as Appendix A to this release.

Conference Call

A conference call to discuss this press release is scheduled for Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. ET. Management intends to reference the Q4 2023 Earnings Call Presentation posted on our website during the conference call. To participate, dial (888) 259-6580 using conference code 88986985. International participants dial (416) 764-8624 using conference code 88986985.

This call is being webcast and can be accessed through the “Investors” section of CVG’s website at www.cvgrp.com, where it will be archived for one year.

A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available for a period of two weeks following the call. To access the replay, dial (877) 674-7070 using access code 986985 and international callers can dial (416) 764-8692 using access code 986985.

Company Contact

Andy Cheung
Chief Financial Officer
CVG
IR@cvgrp.com 

Investor Relations Contact

Ross Collins or Stephen Poe
Alpha IR Group
CVGI@alpha-ir.com 

About CVG

At CVG we deliver real solutions to complex design, engineering and manufacturing problems while creating positive change for our customers, industries, and communities we serve. Information about the Company and its products is available on the internet at www.cvgrp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These statements often include words such as “believe”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “expect”, “intend”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would”, “project”, “continue”, “likely”, and similar expressions. In particular, this press release may contain forward-looking statements about the Company’s expectations for future periods with respect to its plans to improve financial results, the future of the Company’s end markets, global supply chain constraints, changes in the Class 8 and Class 5-7 North America truck build rates, performance of the global construction equipment business, the Company’s prospects in the wire harness, industrial automation and electric vehicle markets, the Company’s initiatives to address customer needs, organic growth, the Company’s strategic plans and plans to focus on certain segments, competition faced by the Company, volatility in and disruption to the global economic environment, including inflation and labor shortages and the Company’s financial position or other financial information. These statements are based on certain assumptions that the Company has made in light of its experience as well as its perspective on historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate under the circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results because of certain risks and uncertainties, including those included in the Company’s filings with the SEC. There can be no assurance that statements made in this press release relating to future events will be achieved. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results over time. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on behalf of the Company are expressly qualified in their entirety by such cautionary statements.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Three and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
  2023   2022   2023   2022 
Revenues$223,089  $234,918  $994,679  $981,553 
Cost of revenues 196,900   222,517   860,956   895,048 
Gross profit 26,189   12,401   133,723   86,505 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 21,165   16,406   85,663   66,361 
Operating income 5,024   (4,005)  48,060   20,144 
Other (income) expense 707   7,665   1,195   10,463 
Interest expense 2,383   2,935   10,691   9,827 
Loss on extinguishment of debt          921 
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes 1,934   (14,605)  36,174   (1,067)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes (21,347)  17,384   (13,237)  20,904 
Net income (loss)$23,281  $(31,989) $49,411  $(21,971)
Earnings (loss) per common share       
Basic$0.70  $(0.98) $1.50  $(0.68)
Diluted$0.70  $(0.98) $1.47  $(0.68)
Weighted average shares outstanding       
Basic 33,132   32,567   33,040   32,334 
Diluted 33,443   32,567   33,581   32,334 


COMMERCIAL VEHICLE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 2023 and 2022
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
ASSETS 2023   2022 
Current Assets:   
Cash$37,848  $31,825 
Accounts receivable, net 133,949   152,626 
Inventories 128,082   142,542 
Other current assets 27,863   12,582 
Total current assets 327,742   339,575 
Property, plant and equipment, net 73,468   67,805 
Operating lease right-of-use asset, net 31,165   26,372 
Intangible assets, net 11,222   14,620 
Deferred income taxes, net 33,568   12,275 
Other assets 6,049   9,621 
TOTAL ASSETS$483,214  $470,268 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   
Current Liabilities:   
Accounts payable$77,314  $122,091 
Current operating lease liabilities 7,502   7,421 
Accrued liabilities and other 45,060   35,388 
Current portion of long-term debt 15,313   10,938 
Total current liabilities 145,189   175,838 
Long-term debt 126,201   141,499 
Long-term operating lease liabilities 24,417   19,422 
Pension and other post-retirement liabilities 9,196   8,428 
Other long-term liabilities 5,279   5,041 
Total liabilities 310,282   350,228 
    
Stockholders’ equity:   
Preferred stock     
Common stock 333   328 
Treasury stock, at cost (16,150)  (14,514)
Additional paid-in capital 265,217   261,371 
Retained deficit (46,184)  (95,595)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (30,284)  (31,550)
Total stockholders’ equity 172,932   120,040 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY$483,214  $470,268 


COMMERCIAL VEHICLE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
BUSINESS SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Three and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands)
   
  Three Months Ended
  Vehicle
Solutions
 Electrical
Systems
 Aftermarket and
Accessories
 Industrial
Automation
 Corporate /
Other
 Total
   2023  2022  2023  2022  2023  2022  2023  2022   2023   2022   2023  2022 
Revenues $128,411 $142,765 $56,188 $47,054 $31,367 $34,141 $7,123 $10,958  $  $  $223,089 $234,918 
Gross profit  10,095  10,322  8,873  7,136  5,566  5,494  1,655  (10,551)        26,189  12,401 
Selling, general & administrative expenses  6,501  6,661  2,176  1,778  2,127  2,289  804  1,322   9,557   4,356   21,165  16,406 
Operating income (loss) $3,594 $3,661 $6,697 $5,358 $3,439 $3,205 $851 $(11,873) $(9,557) $(4,356) $5,024 $(4,005)


  Twelve Months Ended
  Vehicle
Solutions
 Electrical
Systems
 Aftermarket and
Accessories
 Industrial
Automation
 Corporate /
Other
 Total
   2023  2022  2023  2022  2023  2022  2023   2022   2023   2022   2023  2022
Revenues $587,119 $579,731 $228,424 $180,404 $140,236 $133,671 $38,900  $87,747  $  $  $994,679 $981,553
Gross profit  68,129  45,979  35,397  23,993  27,187  18,836  3,010   (2,303)        133,723  86,505
Selling, general & administrative expenses  26,109  24,930  9,107  5,775  8,144  6,925  4,392   5,564   37,911   23,167   85,663  66,361
Operating income (loss) $42,020 $21,049 $26,290 $18,218 $19,043 $11,911 $(1,382) $(7,867) $(37,911) $(23,167) $48,060 $20,144


COMMERCIAL VEHICLE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Appendix A: Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Three and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts and percentages)
 
 Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
 December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
Gross profit$26,189  $12,401  $133,723  $86,505 
Inventory adjustment    10,421      10,421 
Restructuring (198)  1,077   1,245   4,035 
Adjusted gross profit$25,991  $23,899  $134,968  $100,961 
% of revenues 11.7%  10.2%  13.6%  10.3%


 Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
 December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
Operating income (loss)$5,024  $(4,005) $48,060  $20,144 
Restructuring 785   1,978   2,286   5,365 
Inventory adjustment    10,421      10,421 
Deferred consideration purchase accounting          341 
Executive transition 770      770   329 
Total operating income adjustments 1,555   12,399   3,056   16,456 
Adjusted operating income (loss)$6,579  $8,394  $51,116  $36,600 
% of revenues 2.9%  3.6%  5.1%  3.7%


 Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
 December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
Net income (loss)$23,281  $(31,989) $49,411  $(21,971)
Pre-tax adjusting items:       
Operating income (loss) adjustments 1,555   12,399   3,056   16,456 
Hryvnia fair value adjustments on forward exchange contracts    (134)     (36)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt          921 
Other adjusting items:       
Non-cash pension settlement    8,086      9,202 
Pension settlement - tax adjustment    1,462      1,462 
Tax Valuation Allowance (21,521)  14,666   (21,521)  14,666 
Adjusted (benefit) provision for income taxes1 (389)  (3,066)  (764)  (4,335)
Adjusted net income (loss)$2,926  $1,424  $30,182  $16,365 
        
Diluted EPS$0.70  $(0.98) $1.47  $(0.68)
Adjustments to diluted EPS$(0.61) $1.02  $(0.57) $1.19 
Adjusted diluted EPS$0.09  $0.04  $0.90  $0.51 
  1. Reported Tax (Benefit) Provision adjusted for tax effect of at 25% of pre-tax adjusting items.

 Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
 December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
Net income (loss)$23,281  $(31,989) $49,411  $(21,971)
Interest expense 2,383   2,935   10,691   9,827 
Provision (benefit) for income taxes (21,347)  17,384   (13,237)  20,904 
Depreciation expense 3,625   3,727   14,240   14,770 
Amortization expense 847   848   3,390   3,411 
EBITDA$8,789  $(7,095) $64,495  $26,941 
% of revenues 3.9% (3.0)%  6.5%  2.7%
        
EBITDA adjustments       
Restructuring 785   1,978   2,286   5,365 
Inventory adjustment    10,421      10,421 
Pension settlement    8,086      9,202 
Deferred consideration purchase accounting          341 
Hryvnia fair value adjustments on forward exchange contracts    (134)     (36)
Executive transition 770      770   329 
Loss on early extinguishment of debt          921 
Adjusted EBITDA$10,344  $13,256  $67,551  $53,484 
% of revenues 4.6%  5.7%  6.8%  5.4%


COMMERCIAL VEHICLE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Appendix B: Segment Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Three and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except percentages)
 
 Three Months Ended December 31, 2023
 Vehicle
Solutions
 Electric
Systems
 Aftermarket Industrial
Automation
 Corporate Total
Operating income (loss)$3,594  $6,697  $3,439  $851  $(9,557) $5,024 
Restructuring 386         (584)  983   785 
Executive transition             770   770 
Adjusted operating income (loss)$3,980  $6,697  $3,439  $267  $(7,804) $6,579 
% of revenues 3.1%  11.9%  11.0%  3.7%    2.9%


 Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023
 Vehicle
Solutions
 Electric
Systems
 Aftermarket Industrial
Automation
 Corporate Total
Operating income (loss)$42,020  $26,290  $19,043  $(1,382) $(37,911) $48,060 
Restructuring 809   8      486   983   2,286 
Executive transition             770   770 
Adjusted operating income (loss)$42,829  $26,298  $19,043  $(896) $(36,158) $51,116 
% of revenues 7.3%  11.5%  13.6% (2.3)%    5.1%


 Three Months Ended December 31, 2022
 Vehicle
Solutions
 Electric
Systems
 Aftermarket Industrial
Automation
 Corporate Total
Operating income (loss)$3,661  $5,358  $3,205  $(11,873) $(4,356) $(4,005)
Restructuring 481   103   469   925      1,978 
Inventory adjustment          10,421      10,421 
Adjusted operating income (loss)$4,142  $5,461  $3,674  $(527) $(4,356) $8,394 
% of revenues 2.9%  11.6%  10.8% (4.8)%    3.6%


 Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022
 Vehicle
Solutions
 Electric
Systems
 Aftermarket Industrial
Automation
 Corporate Total
Operating income (loss)$21,049  $18,218  $11,911  $(7,867) $(23,167) $20,144 
Restructuring 751   674   1,909   1,725   306   5,365 
Inventory adjustment         10,421      10,421 
Deferred consideration purchase accounting          341      341 
Executive transition             329   329 
Adjusted operating income (loss)$21,800  $18,892  $13,820  $4,620  $(22,532) $36,600 
% of revenues 3.8%  10.5%  10.3%  5.3%    3.7%


 Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
 December 31,
2023
 December 31,
2022
 December 31,
2023
 December 31,
2022
Cash flow from operating activities$8,286  $35,153  $38,276  $68,947 
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (4,500)  (7,169)  (19,696)  (19,710)
Free cash flow$3,786  $27,984  $18,580  $49,237 


 December 31,
2023
 December 31,
2022
Current portion of long-term debt$15,313 $10,938
Long-term debt 126,201  141,499
Less Cash$37,848 $31,825
Total net debt$103,666 $120,612

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

This earnings release contains financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). In general, the non-GAAP measures exclude items that (i) management believes reflect the Company’s multi-year corporate activities; or (ii) relate to activities or actions that may have occurred over multiple or in prior periods without predictable trends. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures internally to evaluate the Company’s performance, engage in financial and operational planning and to determine incentive compensation.

Management provides these non-GAAP financial measures to investors as supplemental metrics to assist readers in assessing the effects of items and events on the Company’s financial and operating results and in comparing the Company’s performance to that of its competitors and to comparable reporting periods. The non-GAAP financial measures used by the Company may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies.

The non-GAAP financial measures disclosed by the Company should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. The financial results calculated in accordance with GAAP and reconciliations to those financial statements set forth above should be carefully evaluated.