Ferroglobe Files Annual Report, SEC Form 20-F; And Announces Unaudited Proforma 2015 Results for the Newly Combined Company


  • Proforma 2015 revenue of $2.0 billion, vs. $2.3 billion in 2014
  • Proforma 2015 adjusted EBITDA of $294.8 million, vs. $351.4 million in 2014
  • Proforma 2015 loss of $96.6 million, vs. income of $46.8 million in 2014
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin maintained at 15%, year over year
  • Consolidated net debt of $392.8 million as of Dec. 31, 2015, vs. proforma $492.5 million in 2014.

LONDON, May 02, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ferroglobe PLC (NASDAQ:GSM), today filed its Annual Report on Form 20-F, an annual SEC filing required of all foreign private issuers whose equity trades on U.S. exchanges. The company also released 2015 and 2014 unaudited proforma financial results for the newly combined business.

Ferroglobe commenced operations on Dec. 23, 2015 upon consummation of the business combination of Grupo FerroAtlántica S.A. ("FerroAtlántica") and Globe Specialty Metals, Inc. (“Globe”). Today’s Form 20-F filing includes full-year 2015 income statements only for FerroAtlántica (who is the “Predecessor” of Ferroglobe) incorporating just eight days of Globe’s post-business combination results. As a consequence, the year-over-year income comparisons in the filing reflect substantially only FerroAtlántica’s financial performance as a stand-alone entity. It also includes the first release of the combined Company’s balance sheet, business description, risk factors, and other important corporate information.   

Ferroglobe is the world’s largest producer of silicon metal and silicon-based alloys, and a leading manganese-based alloys producer, operating 26 manufacturing facilities, eight mining sites and 12 hydro facilities globally.  Ferroglobe’s silicon metal and specialty alloys are critical manufacturing ingredients in several essential industries such as chemicals, aluminium, solar panels, steel, computer chips, auto production, construction and infrastructure. As a result of the recent business combination, Ferroglobe expects to leverage its diversified production base across five continents and benefit from an improved, vertically integrated business model.

“We are pleased to have completed the business combination of FerroAtlántica and Globe late last year, meeting the goal we set when we announced the deal in February 2015. The company is executing on its synergies and making progress as planned,” said Ferroglobe CEO Pedro Larrea.  “Though today’s SEC filing is a required disclosure on results of the former FerroAtlántica, we have released Ferroglobe’s 2015 proforma financials for comparative purposes and to give investors a base line to help them gauge the newly combined company’s performance moving forward.”

Balance Sheet for Newly Combined Company: Significant Improvement in 2015

Today’s filing (Form 20-F) includes a consolidated balance sheet of the newly created company, Ferroglobe, as of Dec. 31, 2015.1

Ferroglobe’s year-end 2015 balance sheet showed total assets of $2.4 billion, including $116.7 million in cash and cash equivalents and $553.6 million in working capital assets. Included in the financial tables below, Ferroglobe’s balance sheet illustrates significant improvement in several areas:  

  • Ferroglobe had working capital2 of $553.6 million at year-end 2015, down $169 million along the year, as inventories were pared from proforma $556.8 million to $425.4 million, while receivables were cut from proforma $364.5 million to $275.3 million. This working capital release in 2015 goes well beyond the $100 million projected for the business combination, and is planned to continue improving in 2016 and beyond.  
     
  • The company had net debt of $392.8 million as of Dec. 31, 2015, significantly lower than the proforma $492.5 million at year-end 2014, illustrating Ferroglobe’s ability to generate significant free cash flow even in difficult market conditions.
     
  • Ferroglobe reported $1.3 billion in equity at year-end 2015, up from $1.0 billion at proforma year-end 2014.

As part of the combination of the two companies, the Globe assets were fair valued as of the acquisition date.  This process increased goodwill to $403.9 for the opening balance sheet at December 31, 2015.

Ferroglobe Proforma 2015 Results

Ferroglobe posted $2.0 billion in proforma 2015 sales, down 10% from $2.3 billion in 2014, reflecting pricing pressures in silicon metal, principally caused by low priced imports, as well as in silicon alloys and manganese alloys. 

In this challenging market environment, both companies have continued to drive down costs. In 2015, the two companies – operating separately – reduced their combined operating costs by 9%. This allowed them to generate proforma adjusted EBITDA margin of 15% in 2015, on par with 2014.

Proforma adjusted EBITDA for 2015 was $294.8 million down from $351.4 million for 2014. The $56.6 million year-over-year decline in Adjusted EBITDA was due to a $232 million drop in revenue, partially offset by lower operating costs of $175 million. Proforma loss for 2015 was $96.6 million versus proforma income of $46.8 million for 2014.

Pedro Larrea said: “Proforma results for 2015 show that we were able to partially offset lower sales prices by improving efficiency and reducing operating expenses.  As we progress through 2016 and continue to face a challenging pricing environment caused by low priced imports, containing costs and generating cash-flow will remain a strategic focus.” 

One time charges excluded from proforma adjusted 2015 EBITDA amount to $197.9 million, including $90.8 million in due diligence and transaction costs emanating from the merger, $49.6 million in asset impairment charges related to the closure of two plants in China, $34.3 million related to the revaluation of inventories and receivables, and $6.5 million due to the shutdown of Ferroglobe’s Siltech silicon alloy plant in South Africa.

“We are pleased to report that just four months into the integration, we’re seeing significant opportunities to capitalize on synergies. Ferroglobe’s market leading global footprint provides an excellent platform to competitively operate within the current business environment. Our focus on cash flow generation, coupled with a strong balance sheet and solid margins, form an exceptional base to drive growth both organically and through acquisitions,” concluded Larrea.

Ferroglobe plans to post its first quarter 2016 results on May 19.

____________________________

1 Note, however, that 2014-2015 balance sheet comparisons in Form 20-F are not meaningful, as the year-end 2014 data solely reflect the operations of the former FerroAtlántica, as required by SEC disclosure rules. To assist investors to make a year-over-year comparison, this press release contains proforma consolidated balance sheet data for the newly created company, Ferroglobe, as of Dec. 31 in both 2015 and 2014.

2 Working capital defined as: Inventories plus trade receivables minus trade payables.

About Ferroglobe
Ferroglobe PLC is among the world’s leading suppliers of silicon metal, silicon-based specialty alloys, and ferroalloys serving a customer base across the globe in dynamic and fast growing end markets such as solar, automotive, consumer products, construction and energy.  The company is headquartered in London.  For more information, visit www.ferroglobe.com or www.glbsm.com (investors tab).

Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain ''forward-looking statements'' within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as ''anticipates,'' ''intends,'' ''plans,'' ''seeks,'' ''believes,'' ''estimates,'' ''expects'' and similar references to future periods, or by the inclusion of forecasts or projections.  Forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations and assumptions of Globe Specialty Metals, Inc. (the "Company") regarding its business, financial condition, the economy and other future conditions.

Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, by their nature, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict.  The Company's actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements.  The Company cautions you therefore that you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements as statements of historical fact or as guarantees or assurances of future performance.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include regional, national or global political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory conditions including, among others, changes in metals prices; increases in the cost of raw materials or energy; competition in the metals and foundry industries; environmental and regulatory risks; ability to identify liabilities associated with acquired properties prior to their acquisition; ability to manage price and operational risks including industrial accidents and natural disasters; ability to manage foreign operations; changes in technology; ability to acquire or renew permits and approvals; ability to realize anticipated benefits of the merger of Globe and FerroAtlántica and other factors identified in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the SEC.

Any forward-looking statement made by the Company or management in this release speaks only as of the date on which it or they make it.  Factors or events that could cause the Company's actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of them.  The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, unless otherwise required to do so under the law or the rules of the NASDAQ Global Market.

Non-GAAP Measures

EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures.

We have included these measures to provide supplemental measures of our performance which we believe are important because they eliminate items that have less bearing on our current and future operating performance and so highlights trends in our core business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on GAAP financial measures.  Reconciliations of these measures to the comparable GAAP financial measures are provided in the attached financial statements.

 

 
Ferroglobe PLC and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Income Statement
For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
                   
    2015    2015    2015    2014    2014    2014 
   Ferro 
Atlántica
 Globe  Ferroglobe  Ferro
Atlántica
 Globe Ferroglobe
                   
Sales  1,305,692    733,916   $   2,039,608   $   1,466,304   $    805,516   $    2,271,820 
Cost of sales    (811,674)    (413,639)    (1,225,313)    (889,561)    (445,285)    (1,334,846)
Other operating income     15,674      4,781      20,455      6,891      2,836      9,727 
Staff cost    (203,750)    (126,632)    (330,382)    (218,043)    (147,239)     (365,282)
Other operating expenses    (199,944)   (151,985)    (351,929)    (165,491)    (99,407)     (264,898)
Depreciation, amortization and allowances    (65,867)    (75,230)    (141,097)    (74,752)    (82,037)     (156,789)
Operating profit (loss) before impairment losses, net (loss) gain due to changes in the value of assets, (loss) gain on disposals of non-current assets and other loss     40,131       (28,789)     11,342       125,348       34,384       159,732  
Other loss     (55,515)     -       (55,515)     (9,376)     (738)     (10,114)
Operating (loss) profit   (15,384)    (28,789)     (44,173)     115,972       33,646       149,618  
Finance income     1,091      252      1,343      4,771      73      4,844 
Finance expense     (30,296)     (4,225)     (34,521)     (37,105)     (4,713)     (41,818)
Exchange differences     35,950      (5,957)     29,993      7,800      (3,002)     4,798 
(Loss) profit before tax    (8,639)    (38,719)     (47,358)     91,438       26,004       117,442  
Income tax expense    (49,942)    (12,604)    (62,546)    (59,707)    (20,325)     (80,032)
(Loss) profit for the year   (58,581)    (51,323)     (109,904)     31,731       5,679       37,410  
Loss (profit)  attributable to non-controlling interest     15,245      (1,937)     13,308      6,706      2,729      9,435 
(Loss) profit attributable to the parent  $   (43,336)  $   (53,260)  $    (96,596)  $    38,437    $    8,408    $    46,845  
                   
EBITDA    50,483     46,441     96,924     190,724     115,683      306,407 
Adjusted EBITDA     177,876     116,923     294,799    211,709    139,701    351,410 
                               

 

Ferroglobe PLC and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
   2015  2014
ASSETS  $   2,406,061   $   2,222,755
Non-current assets    1,554,300     1,101,367
Goodwill    403,929    45,985
Other intangible assets    71,619    50,926
Property, plant and equipment    1,012,367    942,637
Non-current financial assets and receivables from related parties    9,672    14,333
Deferred tax assets    36,098    23,148
Other non-current assets    20,615    24,338
Current assets    851,761     1,121,388
Inventories    425,372    556,770
Trade and other receivables    275,254    364,491
Current receivables from related parties    10,950    11,729
Current income tax assets    9,273    372
Current financial assets    4,112    5,897
Other current assets    10,134    28,945
Cash and cash equivalents    116,666    153,184
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES  $   2,406,061   $   2,222,755
Equity     1,294,973      1,027,047
Non-current liabilities    618,400     692,771
Deferred income    4,389    4,918
Provisions    81,853    86,561
Bank borrowings    223,676    369,228
Obligations under finance leases    89,768    115,026
Other financial liabilities    7,549    10,467
Other non-current liabilities    4,517    9,521
Deferred tax liabilities    206,648    97,050
Current liabilities    492,688     502,937
Provisions    9,010    7,317
Bank borrowings    182,554    147,299
Obligations under finance leases    13,429    14,157
Payables to related parties    7,827    20,405
Trade and other payables    147,073    198,332
Current income tax liabilities    10,887    3,721
Other current liabilities    121,908    111,706
       

Profit/Loss to Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation

     
Ferroglobe PLC and Subsidiaries  2015   2014 
(Loss) profit attributable to the parent  $   (96,596)    46,845  
Loss attributable to non-controlling interest    (13,308)    (9,435)
Income tax expense    62,546     80,032 
Other gains and losses    3,185     32,176 
Depreciation, amortization and allowances    141,097     156,789 
EBITDA  96,924   306,407 
Transaction and due diligence expenses    90,762     1,726 
Remeasurement of stock option liability    (5,649)    3,712 
Quebec Silicon lockout costs    -      1,747 
Quebec Silicon plant upgrades    2,165     -  
Siltech idling/ start-up costs    6,505     4,643 
Remeasurement/true-up of equity compensation    -      200 
Business interruption    (880)    20,280 
Contract acquisition cost    -      1,600 
Plant relocation    -      568 
Divestiture indemnification payment    -      4,559 
Lease termination    -      457 
Impairment of fixed assets of Mangshi plant    36,985     -  
Revaluation of current assets (inventories and account receivables)    34,259     -  
Impairment of fixed assets of Ganzi project    12,562     11,651 
Revaluation of FerroVen pension plan    5,972     -  
Impairment of fixed assets of FerroQuebec project    4,707     -  
Revaluation of other non-recurrent assets    17,373     3,866 
Compensation from insurance companies    (2,472)    (3,806)
Refund of duties unduly paid in previous years    (1,610)    -  
Other non-recurrent income    (2,804)    (6,200)
Adjusted EBITDA, excluding above items  $   294,799      351,410  
     



            

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