Firan Technology Group Corporation (“FTG” or “the Corporation”) Announces Third Quarter 2019 Financial Results

TORONTO, Oct. 09, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Firan Technology Group Corporation (TSX: FTG) today announced financial results for the third quarter 2019.

  • Booked $34M in new orders in Q3, with over $8M related to simulator products
  • Achieved sales of $28M, a 12% increase over Q3 2018
  • Achieved 28.3% gross margin, a 20% increase over the Q3 2018 gross margin of 23.6%
  • Achieved Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) of $4.1M in Q3 2019, an increase of $1.4M or 55% over Q3 last year
  • Achieved trailing twelve month EBITDA of $15.3M
  • Achieved net income of $1.8M and diluted earnings per share of $0.07 in Q3 2019, a $1.1M or 176% increase over Q3 2018
  • On July 15, 2019,  FTG successfully closed the acquisition of Colonial Circuits Inc., in Fredericksburg, Virginia
  • Achieved quarterly free cash flow of $6.0M in Q3 2019 inclusive of $1.4M  of additions to plant and equipment, but exclusive of the $3.8M of net cash consideration paid for the Colonial business
  • Net debt at quarter end was $0.0M, after paying for Colonial Circuits

“The third quarter of 2019 was a solid quarter for FTG, particularly as this quarter can be slower due to summer holidays.  We improved our balance sheet in the quarter and this resulted in $6M of positive cash flow,” stated Brad Bourne, President and Chief Executive Officer. He added, “We closed the acquisition of Colonial Circuits mid-quarter and this will add much needed capacity for standard circuit board manufacturing freeing up capacity in existing sites for higher-end product and expand our offering for the US defense market.”

Third Quarter Results: (three months ended August 30, 2019 compared with three months ended August 31, 2018)

    Q3 2019     Q3 2018  
Sales $ 27,953,000   $ 25,001,000  
     
Gross Margin   7,923,000     5,909,000  
Gross Margin (%)   28.3 %   23.6 %
     
Operating Earnings (1):      4,367,000     2,580,000  
     
•  Net R&D Investment   1,223,000     979,000  
•  Foreign Exchange Loss (Gain)   236,000     (34,000 )
•  Recovery of Investment Tax Credits   (214,000 )   (205,000 )
•  Amortization of Intangibles   284,000     266,000  
     
Net Earnings before Tax   2,838,000     1,574,000  
     
•  Tax Expense   1,087,000     931,000  
•  Non-controlling Interests   (32,000 )   (4,000 )
Net Earnings After Tax $ 1,783,000   $ 647,000  
     
Earnings per share    
– basic $ 0.08   $ 0.03  
– diluted $ 0.07   $ 0.03  
     

Year-to-Date: (nine months ended August 30, 2019 compared with nine months ended August 31, 2018)

    YTD 2019     YTD 2018  
Sales $ 85,578,000   $ 81,407,000  
     
Gross Margin   24,394,000     17,998,000  
Gross Margin (%)   28.5 %   22.1 %
     
Operating Earnings (1):      13,316,000     7,720,000  
     
  •  Net R&D Investment   3,727,000     3,200,000  
  •  Foreign Exchange Loss (Gain)   532,000     (164,000 )
  •  Recovery of Investment Tax Credits   (629,000 )   (568,000 )
  •  Amortization of Intangibles   827,000     783,000  
  •  Restructuring expense   243,000     195,000  
     
Net Earnings before Tax   8,616,000     4,274,000  
     
  •  Tax Expense   3,242,000     2,646,000  
  •  Non-controlling Interests   (109,000 )   (21,000 )
Net Earnings After Tax $ 5,483,000   $ 1,649,000  
     
Earnings per share    
 – basic $ 0.24   $ 0.07  
 – diluted $ 0.22   $ 0.07  
     

(1) Operating Earnings is not a measure recognized under International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).  Management believes that this measure is important to many of the Corporation’s shareholders, creditors and other stakeholders. The Corporation’s method of calculating Operating Earnings may differ from other corporations and accordingly may not be comparable to measures used by other corporations.

Business Highlights

FTG accomplished many goals in Q3 2019 that continue to improve the Corporation and position it for the future, including:

  • Booked $34M in new orders in the quarter including over $8M in orders related to the simulator market
  • Achieved sales of $28M, a 12% increase over Q3 2018
  • Achieved trailing twelve month EBITDA of $15.3M
  • Achieved net income of $1.8M and diluted earnings per share of $0.07 in Q3 2019, a $1.1M or 176% increase over Q3 2018
  • On July 15, 2019,  FTG successfully closed the acquisition of Colonial Circuits Inc., in Fredericksburg, Virginia
  • Achieved sales from Colonial of approximately $1.2M in the second half of Q3, and $0.1M EBITDA contribution from this period
  • Began the certification process for the Colonial facility to the Aerospace AS9100 certification with completion planned for early 2020, opening up significant new market opportunities for that site
  • Worked with key suppliers to achieve material cost savings for the Colonial site, in line with costs at other existing FTG sites.
  • Reduced net debt to $0 at quarter end

For FTG, overall sales increased by $3.0M or 11.8% from $25.0M in Q3 2018 to $28.0M in Q3 2019. Both the Circuits and Aerospace segments contributed to the growth. Colonial Circuits contributed $1.2M in growth, for the Circuits segment.  The Canadian dollar was 1 cent weaker in Q3 2019 compared to the same quarter last year.  Year-to-date 2019 sales increased by $4.2M or 5.1%.  Year-to-date 2018 included a $5M one-time adjustment with respect to the C919 development contract.  Excluding this, the growth was $9.2M or 11.3%.

The Circuits Segment sales in Q3 2019 were $18.3M, up $1.9M or 11.8% versus Q3 2018.  The growth came from Circuits Toronto, as well as the Colonial acquisition.  For the year-to-date, sales were $52.8M compared to $46.7M in the same period last year.

For the Aerospace segment, sales in Q3 2019 were $9.6M compared to $8.6M in Q3 of last year.  Aerospace Toronto and Tianjin were up whereas Aerospace Chatsworth was down slightly compared to the same quarter last year.  On a year-to-date basis, sales were down $1.9M but excluding the one-time adjustment on the C919 development program, sales were up $3.1M or 8.9%.

Gross margins of $7.9M in Q3 2019 were up $2.0M compared to Q3 2018.  The increase is due to higher sales, improved operating performance, and a small contribution from the Colonial Circuits acquisition.  For the year-to-date, gross margins were $24.4M, up $6.4M or 35.5%.  Year-to-date gross margins are 28.5% compared to 22.1% last year.  The one-time $5M revenue adjustment on the C919 program last year was at very low margins.  Operating performance in 2019 was improved across the Corporation.

Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) for FTG in Q3 2019 was $4.1M compared to $2.6M in Q3 2018.  Trailing twelve month EBITDA is $15.3M.  The Colonial Circuits acquisition contributed $0.1M of EBITDA in Q3 2019.

The following table reconciles EBITDA(2)  to the net earnings for the trailing 12 months as at August 30, 2019.

  Q3 2019
  Trailing 12 Months
     
Net earnings   1,783,000     6,709,000
Add:    
Interest   69,000     335,000
Income taxes/ITC   873,000     3,319,000
Depreciation/Amortization/Stock Comp   1,340,000     4,939,000
     
EBITDA $ 4,065,000   $ 15,302,000
           

(2) EBITDA is not a measure recognized under International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).  Management believes that this measure is important to many of the Corporation’s shareholders, creditors and other stakeholders. The Corporation’s method of calculating EBITDA may differ from other corporations and accordingly may not be comparable to measures used by other corporations.

Net profit after tax at FTG in Q3 2019 was $1.8M compared to a net profit of $0.6M in Q3 2018.  Higher margins, were partially offset by higher R&D and SG&A costs and higher foreign exchange losses.  For the year-to-date, net profit was $5.5M compared to $1.6M for the same period last year.   

The Circuits segment net earnings before corporate and interest and other costs was $3.3M in Q3 2019 compared to $3.0M in Q3 2018.

The Aerospace net earnings before corporate and interest and other costs in Q3 2019 was $0.1M versus ($0.7M) in Q3 2018.

As at August 30, 2019, the Corporation’s net working capital was $31.3M, an increase of $2.6M over year-end 2018.  Colonial added approximately $1.0M in working capital on closing. 

Cash flow in Q3 2019 was $6.0M compared to $0.5M in Q3 last year, after investments in capital equipment and deferred development.  In Q3 2019, $3.8M was paid for the acquisition of Colonial Circuits, net of cash acquired.  For the year-to-date period, cash flow was $6.4M compared to $3.7M last year.

Net debt to EBITDA was 0:1 for the trailing 12 month period, as the net debt at the end of Q3 2019 was $nil.

Subsequent to quarter end, Jamie Crichton was hired as Chief Financial Officer of FTG.  Jamie brings significant experience in the Aerospace and Defense industry in a variety of senior finance positions in both private and public companies.

Also subsequent to quarter end, FTG was the subject of a cyberattack that impacted FTG’s systems across North America.  This had a negative impact on operations at FTG’s North American sites in September.  Each site was impacted differently with reduced operations ranging from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the impact to the site’s infrastructure.  Overall lost production is estimated at about 10% of quarterly sales but efforts are underway to mitigate this impact by quarter end.  FTG is working with experts to determine the methodology used in the attack and steps to be taken to reduce the chances, and impact, of future attacks. Accelerated investments in network/system is planned in the coming months to address the findings.

The Corporation will host a live conference call on Thursday, October 10, 2019 at 8:30 am (EDT) to discuss the results of Q3 2019.

Anyone wishing to participate in the call should dial 647-427-2311 or 1-866-521-4909 and the conference ID is 8979843. The Chairperson is Mr. Brad Bourne.  A replay of the call will be available until November 20, 2019 and will be available on the FTG website at www.ftgcorp.com.  The number to call for a rebroadcast is 416-621-4642 or 1-800-585-8367, Conference ID 8979843.

ABOUT FIRAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION

FTG is an aerospace and defense electronics product and subsystem supplier to customers around the globe.  FTG has two operating units:

FTG Circuits is a manufacturer of high technology, high reliability printed circuit boards.  Our customers are leaders in the aviation, defense, and high technology industries.  FTG Circuits has operations in Toronto, Ontario, Chatsworth, California, Fredericksburg, Virginia and a joint venture in Tianjin, China.

FTG Aerospace manufactures illuminated cockpit panels, keyboards and sub-assemblies for original equipment manufacturers of aerospace and defense equipment.   FTG Aerospace has operations in Toronto, Ontario, Chatsworth, California, Fort Worth, Texas and Tianjin, China.

The Corporation’s shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol FTG.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements are related to, but not limited to, FTG’s operations, anticipated financial performance, business prospects and strategies. Forward-looking information typically contains words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “plan” or similar words suggesting future outcomes.  Such statements are based on the current expectations of management of the Corporation and inherently involve numerous risks and uncertainties, known and unknown, including economic factors and the Corporation’s industry, generally.  The preceding list is not exhaustive of all possible factors.  Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual events and results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements made by the Corporation.  The reader is cautioned to consider these and other factors carefully when making decisions with respect to the Corporation and not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Other than as may be required by law, FTG disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For further information please contact:

Bradley C. Bourne, President and CEO
Firan Technology Group Corporation
Tel: (416) 299-4000 x314
[email protected]

Jamie Crichton, Vice President and CFO
Firan Technology Group Corporation
Tel:(416) 299-4000 x264
[email protected]

Additional information can be found at the Corporation’s website www.ftgcorp.com

FIRAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION    
Interim Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets    
     
(Unaudited) August 30, November 30,
(in thousands of Canadian dollars) 2019 2018
ASSETS    
Current assets    
Cash $ 5,910   $ 5,026  
Accounts receivable   18,843     18,051  
Contract assets   213     645  
Taxes recoverable       189  
Inventories   23,295     24,634  
Prepaid expenses   1,321     1,816  
    49,582     50,361  
Non-current assets    
Plant and equipment, net   14,137     12,078  
Deferred income tax assets   732     732  
Investment tax credits recoverable   3,463     4,620  
Contract costs   279     276  
Intangible assets and other assets, net   2,883     3,069  
Total assets $ 71,076   $ 71,136  
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY    
Current liabilities    
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 14,422   $ 16,278  
Provisions   963     849  
Contract liabilities   315     1,966  
Current portion of long-term bank debt   2,030     2,019  
Income tax payable   541     563  
    18,271     21,675  
Non-current liabilities    
Long-term bank debt   3,891     5,404  
Deferred tax payable   1,930     1,750  
Total liabilities   24,092     28,829  
Equity    
Retained earnings $ 17,170   $ 11,687  
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)   (1,677 )   (774 )
    15,493     10,913  
Share capital    
Common shares   19,323     19,323  
Preferred shares   2,218     2,218  
Contributed surplus   8,906     8,672  
Total equity attributable to FTG’s shareholders   45,940     41,126  
Non-controlling interest   1,044     1,181  
Total equity   46,984     42,307  
Total liabilities and equity $ 71,076   $ 71,136  
     
FIRAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION              
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings              
               
  Three months ended Nine months ended
(Unaudited) August 30,   August 31,   August 30,   August 31,
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts) 2019   2018   2019   2018
               
Sales $ 27,953     $ 25,001     $ 85,578     $ 81,407  
               
Cost of sales              
Cost of sales   19,097       18,304       58,564       61,142  
Depreciation of plant and equipment   933       788       2,620       2,267  
Total cost of sales   20,030       19,092       61,184       63,409  
Gross margin   7,923       5,909       24,394       17,998  
               
Expenses              
Selling, general and administrative   3,447       3,156       10,719       9,757  
Research and development costs   1,223       1,034       3,507       3,365  
Reversal (recovery) of Ontario innovation tax credit         (55 )     220       (165 )
Recovery of investment tax credits   (214 )     (205 )     (629 )     (568 )
Depreciation of plant and equipment   40       34       123       99  
Amortization of intangible assets   284       266       827       783  
Interest expense on short-term debt   6       47       30       200  
Interest expense on long-term debt   63       92       206       222  
Foreign exchange loss (gain)   236       (34 )     532       (164 )
Restructuring expenses               243       195  
Total expenses   5,085       4,335       15,778       13,724  
               
Earnings before income taxes   2,838       1,574       8,616       4,274  
               
Current income tax expense   1,044       890       3,115       2,532  
Deferred income tax expense   43       41       127       114  
Total income tax expense   1,087       931       3,242       2,646  
               
Net earnings $ 1,751     $ 643     $ 5,374     $ 1,628  
               
Attributable to:              
Non-controlling interest $ (32 )   $ (4 )   $ (109 )   $ (21 )
Equity holders of FTG $ 1,783     $ 647     $ 5,483     $ 1,649  
               
Earnings per share, attributable to the equity holders of FTG              
Basic $ 0.08     $ 0.03     $ 0.24     $ 0.07  
Diluted $ 0.07     $ 0.03     $ 0.22     $ 0.07  
               
FIRAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION              
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income        
               
  Three months ended Nine months ended
(Unaudited) August 30,   August 31,   August 30,   August 31,
(in thousands of Canadian dollars) 2019   2018   2019   2018
               
Net earnings $ 1,751     $ 643     $ 5,374     $ 1,628  
               
Other comprehensive income (loss) to be reclassified to net earnings in subsequent periods:              
               
Foreign currency translation adjustments   (634 )     (166 )     849       (210 )
Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges   543       (420 )     (2,373 )     (551 )
Tax impact   (136 )     105       593       138  
               
    (227 )     (481 )     (931 )     (623 )
               
Total comprehensive income $ 1,524     $ 162     $ 4,443     $ 1,005  
               
Attributable to:              
Equity holders of FTG $ 1,613     $ 233     $ 4,580     $ 1,050  
Non-controlling interest $ (89 )   $ (71 )   $ (137 )   $ (45 )
               
FIRAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION            
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity        
                 
                 
Nine months ended August 30, 2019 Attributed to the equity holders of FTG    
          Accumulated      
          Other   Non-  
(Unaudited) Common Preferred Retained Contributed Comprehensive
      controlling Total
(in thousands of Canadian dollars) shares shares earnings surplus income (loss) Total interest equity
Balance, November 30, 2018 $ 19,323 $ 2,218 $ 11,687 $ 8,672   $ (774 ) $ 41,126   $ 1,181   $ 42,307  
Net earnings (loss)       5,483           5,483     (109 )   5,374  
Stock-based compensation         234         234         234  
Foreign currency translation adjustments             877     877     (28 )   849  
Net unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges, net of tax impact             (1,780 )   (1,780 )       (1,780 )
Balance, August 30, 2019 $ 19,323 $ 2,218 $ 17,170 $ 8,906   $ (1,677 ) $ 45,940   $ 1,044   $ 46,984  
                 
Nine months ended August 31, 2018 Attributed to the equity holders of FTG    
          Accumulated      
          Other   Non-  
(Unaudited) Common Preferred Retained Contributed Comprehensive   controlling Total
(in thousands of Canadian dollars) shares shares earnings surplus income (loss) Total interest equity
Balance, November 30, 2017 $ 19,295 $ 2,218 $ 8,812 $ 8,384   $ 187   $ 38,896   $ 1,214   $ 40,110  
Net earnings (loss)       1,649           1,649     (21 )   1,628  
Stock-based compensation         222         222         222  
Common shares issued on exercise of share options and PSUs   28       (8 )       20         20  
Foreign currency translation adjustments             (186 )   (186 )   (24 )   (210 )
Net unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges net of tax impact             (413 )   (413 )       (413 )
Balance, August 31, 2018 $ 19,323 $ 2,218 $ 10,461 $ 8,598   $ (412 ) $ 40,188   $ 1,169   $ 41,357  
                 
FIRAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION              
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows              
               
  Three months ended Nine months ended
(Unaudited) August 30,   August 31,   August 30,   August 31,
(in thousands of Canadian dollars) 2019   2018   2019   2018
Net inflow (outflow) of cash related to the following:              
Operating activities              
Net earnings $ 1,751     $ 643     $ 5,374     $ 1,628  
Items not affecting cash:              
Non-controlling interest share of net loss   32       4       109       21  
Stock-based compensation   80       74       234       222  
Gain on disposal of plant and equipment         (2 )     (1 )     (2 )
Effect of exchange rates on US dollar debt   (111 )     69       15       139  
Depreciation of plant and equipment   973       823       2,743       2,366  
Amortization of intangible assets   284       266       827       783  
Amortization of deferred financing costs   3       3       9       9  
Deferred income tax expense   993       488       1,966       2,060  
Investment tax credits (recovery)   (214 )     (205 )     (629 )     (568 )
Increase in net unrealized loss, decrease in net unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges   (35 )     (360 )     (907 )     (624 )
Net change in non-cash operating working capital   3,603       (837 )     (1,001 )     (859 )
    7,359       966       8,739       5,175  
Investing activities              
Additions to plant and equipment   (1,374 )     (481 )     (2,375 )     (1,687 )
Acquisition of Colonial Circuits Inc., net of cash acquired   (3,817 )           (3,817 )      
(Additions to) recovery of – contract costs, other   13       5       (6 )     226  
Proceeds from disposal of plant and equipment         3             3  
    (5,178 )     (473 )     (6,198 )     (1,458 )
Net cash flow used by operating and investing activities   2,181       493       2,541       3,717  
Financing activities              
Decrease in bank indebtedness         (1,278 )           (3,833 )
Proceeds from long-term bank debt                     1,289  
Repayments of long-term bank debt   (505 )     (501 )     (1,526 )     (1,428 )
Proceeds from issue of Common shares         8             20  
    (505 )     (1,771 )     (1,526 )     (3,952 )
Effects of foreign exchange rate changes on cash flow   (84 )     (38 )     (131 )     (36 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash flow   1,592       (1,316 )     884       (271 )
Cash, beginning of the period   4,318       3,797       5,026       2,752  
Cash, end of period $ 5,910     $ 2,481     $ 5,910     $ 2,481  
               
Disclosure of cash payments              
Payment for interest $ 74     $ 125     $ 245     $ 425  
Payments for income taxes $ 265     $ 1     $ 1,386     $ 14  
               

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