Tower International Reports 2018 Financial Results in-line with Outlook and Provides Outlook through 2020

Tower International Reports 2018 Financial Results in-line with Outlook and Provides Outlook through 2020

LIVONIA, Mich., Feb. 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Tower International, Inc. (NYSE: TOWR), a leading manufacturer of engineered automotive structural metal components and assemblies, today announced fourth quarter and full year 2018 results and provided its business outlook through 2020.

During the fourth quarter 2018, Tower reached a definitive agreement to divest its European operations. As such, these operations are classified as discontinued operations. Additionally, the Company has decided to retain its operations in Brazil; accordingly, the results for the Company's Brazilian operations are now included in continuing operations. The divestiture of Tower Europe is expected to close during the first quarter 2019 and result in net cash proceeds of approximately $250 million after payment of transaction costs and fees and the unwinding of the Euro denominated swaps related to the Term Loan.

  • Revenue for the full year 2018 was $1.572 billion compared with $1.382 billion in 2017, representing a 14 percent increase. Revenue for 2018 excluded $650 million of European revenue and included $53 million of Brazilian revenue.
  • Full year net income was $48.9 million or $2.33 per share, compared with $47.6 million or $2.29 per share last year. As detailed below, this year's results included special items which adversely impacted net income by $24.5 million. Excluding these items and comparable items in 2017, adjusted earnings per share of $3.50 increased 6 percent from $3.30 from a year ago. Adjusted EPS for 2018 excluded 78 cents associated with Europe and included 8 cents associated with Brazil.
  • Adjusted EBITDA for full year 2018 was $178 million up 13 percent from $157 million a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA for 2018 excluded $58 million associated with Europe and included $5 million associated with Brazil.
  • For full year 2018, net cash provided by continuing operating activities were $98 million. Cash disbursed for purchases of equipment totaled $83 million resulting in Free Cash Flow of $15 million.
  • If European operations were included in continuing operations and Brazilian operations were not included in continuing operations, Tower's full year 2018 revenue of $2.169 billion, Adjusted EBITDA of $230 million, Adjusted EPS of $4.20 and Free Cash Flow of $41 million would have been in-line with full year outlook.
  • Tower's net new business backlog for 2019 through 2020 is now $250 million. This represents an increase of more than 10 percent from the $225 million provided last year.

"Despite a difficult macro-environment, Tower delivered 2018 results in-line with our Outlook. We continue to balance our capital allocation, by investing in profitable growth, reducing debt and returning capital to shareholders. The pending sale of Tower Europe further strengthens our balance sheet and positions Tower to capitalize on the healthy and growing light truck and SUV market in North America," said CEO Jim Gouin. "With significant program changeovers and the launch of approximately $700 million in annual run rate revenue, 2019 will be a transition year. By 2020 these major launches will be completed and we expect significant margin improvement and substantial Free Cash Flow."

  • During 2019 Tower expects to launch programs which will represent nearly $700 million of on-going revenue. These product launches combined with customer downtime associated with platform changeover will adversely impact results, particularly in the first half of the year.
  • Full year 2019 outlook includes:
    • Revenue of $1.65 billion, reflecting primarily net new business of $175 million, offset partially by adverse program mix of $90 million;
    • Adjusted EBITDA of $175 million;
    • Diluted Adjusted EPS of $2.50 per share which is adversely impacted by the adoption of ASC 842 and a higher tax rate; and
    • Free Cash Flow of $15 million, with strong free cash flow in the second half of the year more than offsetting the expected cash outflow in the first half of the year.
  • With the completion of significant launch activity in 2019, financial results are expected to improve substantially. Full year 2020 outlook includes:
    • Revenue of $1.69 to $1.74 billion;
    • Adjusted EBITDA of $200 to $210 million;
    • Adjusted EBITDA Margin of approximately 12 percent; and
    • Free Cash Flow of more than $60 million.

Tower to Host Conference Call Today at 11 a.m. EST

Tower will discuss its 2018 results and other related matters in a conference call at 11 a.m. EST today. Participants may listen to the audio portion of the conference call either through a live audio webcast on the Company's website or by telephone. The slide presentation and webcast can be accessed via the investor relations portion of Tower's website www.towerinternational.com. To dial into the conference call, domestic callers should dial (866) 393-4576, international callers should dial (706) 679-1462. An audio recording of the call will be available approximately two hours after the completion of the call. To access this recording, please dial (855) 859-2056 (domestic) or (404) 537-3406 (international) and reference Conference I.D. # 7888969. A webcast replay will also be available and may be accessed via Tower's website.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release includes the following non-GAAP financial measures: "adjusted EBITDA", "adjusted EBITDA margin", "adjusted earnings per share", and "free cash flow". We define adjusted EBITDA as net income/(loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, restructuring items and other adjustments described in the reconciliations provided in this press release. We define adjusted EBITDA margin as adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues. Adjusted earnings per share exclude certain income and expense items described in the reconciliation provided in this press release. Free cash flow is defined as cash provided by continuing operating activities less cash disbursed for purchases of property, plant and equipment. We use adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted earnings per share, and free cash flow as supplements to information provided in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") in evaluating our business and they are included in this press release because they are principal factors upon which our management assesses performance and in certain instances in measuring performance for compensation purposes. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP are set forth below. The non-GAAP measures presented above are not measures of performance under GAAP. These measures should not be considered as alternatives for the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Other companies in our industry may define these non-GAAP measures differently than we do and, as a result, these non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies in our industry; and certain of our non-GAAP financial measures exclude financial information that some may consider important in evaluating our performance. Given the inherent uncertainty regarding mark to market adjustments of financial instruments, potential gain or loss on our Discontinued Operations, potential restructuring expenses, and expenses related to our long-term incentive compensation programs in any future period, a reconciliation of forward-looking financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP is not feasible. Consequently, any attempt to disclose such reconciliations would imply a degree of precision that could be confusing or misleading to investors. The magnitude of these items, however, may be significant.

Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors

This press release contains statements which constitute forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to statements regarding the completion of the divestiture of the Company's European operations, prospective program launches, business growth, and the Company's projected earnings, free cash flow, revenues, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin. The forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "project," "target," and other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and are based upon management's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. The following important factors, as well as risk factors described in our reports filed with the SEC, could cause our actual results to differ materially from estimates or expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements:

  • global automobile production volumes;
  • the financial condition of our customers and suppliers;
  • our ability to make scheduled payments of principal or interest on our indebtedness and comply with the covenants and restrictions contained in the instruments governing our indebtedness;
  • our ability to refinance our indebtedness;
  • risks associated with our non-U.S. operations, including foreign exchange risks and economic uncertainty in some regions;
  • any increase in the expense and funding requirements of our pension and other postretirement benefits;
  • our customers' ability to obtain equity and debt financing for their businesses;
  • our dependence on our largest customers;
  • pricing pressure from our customers;
  • work stoppages or other labor issues affecting us or our customers or suppliers;
  • our ability to integrate acquired businesses;
  • our ability to take advantage of emerging secular trends;
  • risks associated with business divestitures; and
  • costs or liabilities relating to environmental and safety regulations.

We do not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

Contact:
Derek Fiebig
Executive Director, Investor & External Relations
(248) 675-6457
fiebig.derek@towerinternational.com

TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts – unaudited)

Three Months Ended December 31,

Year Ended December 31,

2018

2017

2018

2017

Revenues

$ 377,270

$ 354,806

$ 1,571,853

$ 1,382,474

Cost of sales

334,544

303,667

1,377,955

1,193,311

Gross profit

42,726

51,139

193,898

189,163

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

20,860

22,514

89,527

87,756

Amortization expense

105

110

435

443

Restructuring and asset impairment charges, net

2,213

1,540

3,380

9,098

Operating income

19,548

26,975

100,556

91,866

Interest expense

4,428

5,250

19,856

10,882

Interest income

286

287

1,058

1,138

Net periodic benefit income / (expense)

(4,078)

574

(2,403)

2,245

Other expense

977

575

Income before provision for income taxes and income / (loss) from discontinued operations

11,328

22,586

78,378

83,792

Provision / (benefit) for income taxes

(10,068)

30,728

1,259

44,089

Income / (loss) from continuing operations

21,396

(8,142)

77,119

39,703

Income / (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

(34,752)

4,275

(28,219)

8,032

Net income / (loss)

(13,356)

(3,867)

48,900

47,735

Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests

110

Net income / (loss) attributable to Tower International, Inc.

$ (13,356)

$ (3,867)

$ 48,900

$ 47,625

Weighted average basic shares outstanding

20,606,735

20,536,983

20,591,674

20,498,668

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding

20,606,735

20,536,983

20,996,068

20,828,888

Basic income / (loss) per share attributable to Tower International, Inc.:

Income / (loss) per share from continuing operations

$ 1.04

$ (0.40)

$ 3.75

$ 1.93

Income / (loss) per share from discontinued operations

(1.69)

0.21

(1.38)

0.39

Income / (loss) per share

(0.65)

(0.19)

2.37

2.32

Diluted income / (loss) per share attributable to Tower International, Inc.:

Income / (loss) per share from continuing operations

$ 1.04

$ (0.40)

$ 3.67

$ 1.90

Income / (loss) per share from discontinued operations

(1.69)

0.21

(1.34)

0.39

Income / (loss) per share

(0.65)

(0.19)

2.33

2.29

TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in thousands – unaudited)

December 31,

December 31,

2018

2017

ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 68,066

$ 96,313

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $823 and $556

113,128

123,958

Inventories

69,434

57,495

Assets held for sale

431,613

517,783

Prepaid tooling, notes receivable, and other

27,552

43,986

Total current assets

709,793

839,535

Property, plant, and equipment, net

347,803

323,199

Goodwill

7,453

7,424

Deferred tax asset

82,832

82,077

Other assets, net

22,511

8,638

Total assets

$ 1,170,392

$ 1,260,873

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

Short-term debt

$ 4,148

$ 4,744

Accounts payable

188,760

213,333

Accrued liabilities

84,306

74,040

Liabilities held for sale

167,882

210,905

Total current liabilities

445,096

503,022

Long-term debt, net of current maturities

294,457

346,011

Pension liability

45,762

47,813

Other non-current liabilities

84,163

94,155

Total non-current liabilities

424,382

487,979

Total liabilities

869,478

991,001

Stockholders' equity:

Common stock

224

223

Additional paid in capital

347,816

344,153

Treasury stock

(36,882)

(36,408)

Retained earnings

64,676

29,712

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(74,920)

(67,808)

Total stockholders' equity

300,914

269,872

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$ 1,170,392

$ 1,260,873

TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Amounts in thousands – unaudited)

Year Ended December 31,

2018

2017

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

Net income

$ 48,900

$ 47,735

Less: Income / (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

(28,219)

8,032

Income from continuing operations

77,119

39,703

Adjustments required to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by continuing operating activities:

Deferred income tax provision / (benefit)

(3,334)

41,702

Depreciation and amortization

54,815

50,471

Non-cash share-based compensation

3,413

2,219

Pension income, net of contributions

(4,270)

(11,512)

Change in working capital and other operating items

(29,496)

4,408

Net cash provided by continuing operating activities

$ 98,247

$ 126,991

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

Cash disbursed for purchases of property, plant, and equipment, net

$ (83,141)

$ (67,240)

Proceeds from disposition of joint ventures, net

4,314

15,944

Net proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment

14,883

Net cash used in continuing investing activities

$ (63,944)

$ (51,296)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Proceeds from borrowings

$ 104,303

$ 485,368

Repayments of borrowings

(104,508)

(498,553)

Voluntary repayments on Term Loan Credit Facility

(50,000)

Debt financing costs

(4,747)

Original issuance discount

(1,808)

Dividend payment to Tower shareholders

(10,088)

(9,221)

Proceeds from stock options exercised

251

1,313

Purchase of treasury stock

(474)

(763)

Net cash used in continuing financing activities

$ (60,516)

$ (28,411)

Discontinued operations:

Net cash from discontinued operating activities

$ 74,455

$ 26,645

Net cash used in discontinued investing activities

(47,587)

(39,504)

Net cash from / (used in) discontinued financing activities

(26,456)

8,649

Net cash from / (used in) discontinued operations

$ 412

$ (4,210)

Effect of exchange rate changes on continuing cash and cash equivalents

$ (2,446)

$ 4,256

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

$ (28,247)

$ 47,330

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:

Beginning of period

$ 96,313

$ 48,983

End of period

$ 68,066

$ 96,313

TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURE RECONCILIATIONS

(Amounts in thousands – unaudited)

Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation

Three Months Ended December 31,

Year Ended December 31,

2018

2017

2018

2017

Net income / (loss) attributable to Tower International, Inc.

$ (13,356)

$ (3,867)

$ 48,900

$ 47,625

Restructuring and asset impairment charges, net

2,213

1,540

3,380

9,098

Depreciation and amortization

12,941

14,872

54,815

50,471

Acquisition costs and other

(36)

90

182

232

Long-term compensation expense

2,000

1,378

7,695

5,601

Lease expense

3,758

11,090

Interest expense, net

4,142

4,963

18,798

9,744

Other expense

977

575

Net periodic benefit expense / (income)

4,078

(574)

2,403

(2,245)

Provision / (benefit) for income taxes

(10,068)

30,728

1,259

44,089

(Income) / loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

34,752

(4,275)

28,219

(8,032)

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

110

Adjusted EBITDA

$ 40,424

$ 44,855

$ 177,718

$ 157,268

Free Cash Flow Reconciliation

Year Ended December 31,

2018

2017

Net cash from continuing operating activities

$ 98,247

$ 126,991

Cash disbursed for purchases of PP&E

(83,141)

(67,240)

Free cash flow

$ 15,106

$ 59,751

Net Debt Reconciliation

December 31,

December 31,

2018

2017

Short-term debt

$ 4,148

$ 4,744

Long-term debt, net of current maturities

300,417

354,102

Debt issue costs

(5,960)

(8,091)

Total debt

298,605

350,755

Less: Cash and cash equivalents

(68,066)

(96,313)

Net debt

$ 230,539

$ 254,442

TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CERTAIN ITEMS INCLUDED IN NET INCOME

(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts – unaudited)

After tax

Before tax

Three Months Ended

Three Months Ended

December 31,

December 31,

2018

2017

2018

2017

Income / (expense) items included in net income, net of tax:

Restructuring and asset impairment charges, net

One-time restructuring actions

$ (1,516)

$ (587)

$ (1,995)

$ (841)

Interest expense

Mark-to-market loss on derivative financial instruments

(393)

(634)

Net periodic benefit income / (expense)

Pension actuarial loss

(3,978)

(5,234)

Provision for income taxes

Reversal of valuation allowance in Brazil

14,417

14,417

Reversal of U.S. tax credits

(3,029)

(3,029)

U.S. tax reform

(27,163)

(27,163)

Discontinued operations

Income from discontinued operations

9,248

4,275

9,248

4,275

Europe fair value adjustment

(44,000)

(44,000)

Total items included in net income, net of tax

$ (28,858)

$ (23,868)

Net loss attributable to Tower International, Inc.

$ (13,356)

$ (3,867)

Memo: Average shares outstanding (in thousands)

Basic

20,607

20,537

Diluted

20,607

20,537

Loss per common share (GAAP)

Basic

$ (0.65)

$ (0.19)

Diluted

(0.65)

(0.19)

Diluted adjusted earnings per share (non-GAAP)*

$ 0.74

$ 0.96

* For the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 diluted share counts of 21 million and 20.9 million, respectively, were used to calculate diluted adjusted earnings per share.

TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CERTAIN ITEMS INCLUDED IN NET INCOME

(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts – unaudited)

After tax

Before tax

Year Ended

Year Ended

December 31,

December 31,

2018

2017

2018

2017

Income / (expense) items included in net income, net of tax:

Restructuring and asset impairment charges, net

One-time restructuring actions

$ (2,244)

$ (4,721)

$ (2,894)

$ (7,433)

Interest expense

Acceleration of the amortization of debt issue costs and OID

(735)

(967)

Mark-to-market gain on derivative financial instruments

3,278

5,287

Net periodic benefit income / (expense)

Pension actuarial loss

(3,978)

(5,234)

Other expense

Premium and other fees for re-pricing of Term Loan

(743)

(977)

Debt refinancing costs

(357)

(575)

Provision for income taxes

Reversal of valuation allowance in Brazil

14,417

14,417

Reversal of U.S. tax credits

(3,029)

(3,029)

U.S. tax reform

(27,163)

(27,163)

Discontinued operations

Income from discontinued operations

15,781

10,628

15,781

10,628

Europe fair value adjustment

(44,000)

(44,000)

Loss on sale of Wuhu joint venture

(2,596)

(2,596)

Noncontrolling interests

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests*

(110)

(110)

Total items included in net income, net of tax

$ (24,531)

$ (21,041)

Net income attributable to Tower International, Inc.

$ 48,900

$ 47,625

Memo: Average shares outstanding (in thousands)

Basic

20,592

20,499

Diluted

20,996

20,829

Income per common share (GAAP)

Basic

$ 2.37

$ 2.32

Diluted

2.33

2.29

Diluted adjusted earnings per share (non-GAAP)

$ 3.50

$ 3.30

* Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests of discontinued operations

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SOURCE Tower International, Inc.

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