Wabash National Corporation Announces First Quarter 2017 Results; Increases Outlook on Full Year 2017


  • First quarter GAAP and non-GAAP earnings of $0.32 per diluted share and $0.31 per diluted share, respectively
  • Net sales of $363 million for first quarter 2017
  • Operating income of $30.3 million, second best first quarter performance in Company history
  • Company increases 2017 shipment guidance to 52,000 to 56,000 trailers and full-year earnings per diluted share guidance to $1.44 to $1.56

LAFAYETTE, Ind., April 24, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wabash National Corporation (NYSE:WNC), a diversified industrial manufacturer and North America’s leading producer of semi-trailers and liquid transportation systems, today reported results for the quarter ending March 31, 2017.

Net income for the first quarter of 2017 was $20.2 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, compared to first quarter 2016 net income of $27.5 million, or $0.42 per diluted share.  First quarter 2017 non-GAAP adjusted earnings decreased $8.3 million over the prior year period to $19.5 million, or $0.31 per diluted share.  Non-GAAP adjusted earnings for the first quarter of 2017 includes the net gain on closure of former facilities offset by charges related to the early extinguishment of debt in connection with the Company’s amendment to its term loan credit facility.  Non-GAAP adjusted earnings for the first quarter of 2016 included an early extinguishment of debt charge related to the Company’s repurchase of a portion of its outstanding convertible senior notes. 

Net sales for the first quarter decreased 19 percent to $363 million while operating income decreased 37 percent, or to $30.3 million, due to lower trailer demand, compared to operating income of $48.2 million for the first quarter of 2016.  Operating EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure that excludes the effects of certain recurring and non-recurring items, for the first quarter of 2017 was $41.9 million, a decrease of $17.9 million, or 30 percent, compared to operating EBITDA for the prior year period.  On a trailing twelve month basis, net sales totaled $1.8 billion, generating Operating EBITDA of $235.1 million, or 13.4 percent of net sales, a year-over-year improvement of 110 basis points.  The solid operating performance is attributable to the successful execution of the Company’s growth and diversification strategies, strong pricing environment within its Commercial Trailer Products segment and operational improvements across the Company’s manufacturing facilities.

The following is a summary of select operating and financial results for the past five quarters:

Three Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands, except per
share amounts)
March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31, March 31,
 2016   2016   2016   2016   2017 
     
Net Sales$  447,676  $  471,438  $  464,272  $  462,057  $   362,716  
          
Gross Profit Margin 17.8%  19.3%  18.0%  15.5%  16.4%
          
Income from Operations$  48,185  $  58,872  $  54,855  $  40,621  $   30,264  
          
Income from Operations Margin 10.8%  12.5%  11.8%  8.8%  8.3%
          
Net Income$  27,524  $  35,531  $  33,378  $  23,000  $   20,173  
    
Diluted EPS$  0.42  $  0.53  $  0.51  $  0.36  $   0.32  
          
Non-GAAP Measures(1):         
                    
Operating EBITDA$  59,820  $  72,752  $  66,821  $  53,606  $   41,930  
    
Operating EBITDA Margin 13.4%  15.4%  14.4%  11.6%  11.6%
          
Adjusted Earnings$  27,831  $  36,610  $  32,901  $  24,213  $   19,517  
          
Adjusted Diluted EPS$  0.42  $  0.55  $  0.50  $  0.38  $   0.31  
   
Notes:   
(1) See “Non-GAAP Measures” below for explanation of the non-GAAP results included above. 
    

Dick Giromini, chief executive officer, stated, “We are pleased with first quarter operating results, with Operating Income of $30.3 million representing the second strongest first quarter in our Company’s history.  Performance targets in cost management and execution were achieved within both Commercial Trailer Products and Diversified Products, as gross margins delivered were consistent with expectations previously communicated, despite trailer shipments slightly below prior guidance due strictly to timing of customer pick-up.  Backlog grew once again, coming in at a seasonally and historically strong $863 million, continuing to support our long-standing belief that trailer fleet age, regulatory compliance requirements, and customer profitability provide strong support for a continued favorable demand environment.”

“Additionally, we remain focused on driving further productivity improvements throughout the business, optimizing the cost structure and performance of our Diversified Products segment, and developing growth opportunities through new product and market expansion efforts.  Based on all these factors, we are updating and increasing our full-year guidance for both trailer shipments and earnings to 52,000 to 56,000 new trailers and $1.44 to $1.56 earnings per diluted share, respectively.”

Business Segment Highlights
The table below is a summary of select segment operating and financial results prior to the elimination of intersegment sales for the first quarter of 2017 and 2016.  A complete disclosure of the results by individual segment is included in the tables following this release.

(dollars in thousands) Commercial Trailer Products Diversified Products
          
    2017   2016   2017   2016 
New trailers shipped    10,400      14,000     500      500 
Net sales $   274,789   $  364,040  $   89,910   $  86,289 
Gross profit $   42,127   $  60,395  $   17,593   $  20,210 
Gross profit margin  15.3%  16.6%  19.6%  23.4%
Income from operations $   33,392   $  50,257  $   4,604   $  6,990 
Income from operations margin 12.2%  13.8%  5.1%  8.1%
          

Commercial Trailer Products’ net sales for the first quarter were $275 million, a decrease of $89 million, or 25 percent, as compared to the prior year.  Gross profit margin for the first quarter decreased 130 basis points as compared to the prior year period.  The year-over-year declines in net sales and gross profit margin were primarily due to lower new trailer shipments.  Operating income decreased $16.9 million, or 34 percent, from the first quarter last year to $33.4 million, or 12.2 percent of net sales.

Diversified Products’ net sales for the first quarter increased $4 million, or 4 percent, due primarily to higher demand for the Company’s composite product offerings as tank trailer shipments were comparable to the prior year period.  Gross profit and gross profit margin as compared to the prior year period decreased $2.6 million and 380 basis points, respectively, as the historically weak industry demand for tank trailers driven by continued softness within the chemical and energy end markets negatively impacted this segment.  Operating income for the first quarter of 2017 was $4.6 million, or 5.1 percent of net sales, a decrease of $2.4 million compared to the same period last year. 

Non-GAAP Measures

In addition to disclosing financial results calculated in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the financial information included in this release contains non-GAAP financial measures, including operating EBITDA, operating EBITDA margin, adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per diluted share.

These non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures and results calculated in accordance with GAAP, including net income, and reconciliations to GAAP financial statements should be carefully evaluated.

Operating EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets, and other non-operating income and expense.  Management believes providing operating EBITDA is useful for investors to understand the Company’s performance and results of operations period to period with the exclusion of the items identified above.  Management believes the presentation of operating EBITDA, when combined with the GAAP presentations of operating income and net income, is beneficial to an investor’s understanding of the Company’s operating performance.  A reconciliation of operating EBITDA to net income is included in the tables following this release.

Adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per diluted share for the three month periods ending March 31, 2017 and 2016 reflect adjustments for charges incurred in connection with the losses attributable to the Company’s extinguishment of debt as well as income or losses recognized on the sale and/or closure of former Company locations.  Management believes providing adjusted measures and excluding certain items facilitates comparisons to the Company’s prior year periods and, when combined with the GAAP presentation of net income and diluted net income per share, is beneficial to an investor’s understanding of the Company’s performance.  A reconciliation of adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per diluted share to net income and net income per diluted share is included in the tables following this release.

First Quarter 2017 Conference Call

Wabash National will conduct a conference call to review and discuss its first quarter results on April 25, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. EDT.  Access to the live webcast will be available on the Company’s website at www.wabashnational.com.  For those unable to participate in the live webcast, the call will be archived at www.wabashnational.com within three hours of the conclusion of the live call and will remain available through July 17, 2017.  Meeting access also will be available via conference call at 800-708-4539, participant code 44704481.

About Wabash National Corporation

Headquartered in Lafayette, Indiana, Wabash National Corporation (NYSE:WNC) is a diversified industrial manufacturer and North America’s leading producer of semi-trailers and liquid transportation systems. Established in 1985, the Company manufactures a diverse range of products including: dry freight and refrigerated trailers, platform trailers, bulk tank trailers, dry and refrigerated truck bodies, truck-mounted tanks, intermodal equipment, aircraft refueling equipment, structural composite panels and products, trailer aerodynamic solutions, and specialty food grade and pharmaceutical equipment. Its innovative products are sold under the following brand names: Wabash National®, Beall®, Benson®, Brenner® Tank, Bulk Tank International, DuraPlate®, Extract Technology®, Garsite, Progress Tank, Transcraft®, Walker Engineered Products, and Walker Transport. Visit www.wabashnational.com to learn more.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements convey the Company’s current expectations or forecasts of future events. All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, all statements regarding the Company’s outlook for trailer shipments, backlog, expectations regarding demand levels for trailers, non-trailer equipment and our other diversified product offerings, pricing, profitability and earnings, cash flow and liquidity, opportunity to capture higher margin sales, new product innovations, our growth and diversification strategies and our expectations with regards to capital allocation.  These and the Company’s other forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements. Without limitation, these risks and uncertainties include uncertain economic conditions including the possibility that customer demand may not meet our expectations, increased competition, reliance on certain customers and corporate partnerships, risks of customer pick-up delays, shortages and costs of raw materials, risks in implementing and sustaining improvements in the Company’s manufacturing operations and cost containment, dependence on industry trends and timing and costs of indebtedness.  Readers should review and consider the various disclosures made by the Company in this press release and in the Company’s reports to its stockholders and periodic reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q.

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
       
   Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
    2017   2016  
       
Net sales $362,716  $447,676  
Cost of sales  303,360   368,150  
 Gross profit  59,356   79,526  
       
General and administrative expenses  18,418   19,392  
Selling expenses  6,173   6,961  
Amortization of intangibles  4,501   4,988  
 Income from operations  30,264   48,185  
       
Other income (expense):     
 Interest expense  (2,990)  (4,095) 
 Other, net  1,333   (398) 
 Income before income taxes  28,607   43,692  
Income tax expense  8,434   16,168  
Net income $20,173  $27,524  
Dividends declared per share $0.06  $-  
Basic net income per share $0.34  $0.42  
Diluted net income per share $0.32  $0.42  
           
Comprehensive income         
 Net income $20,173  $27,524  
 Foreign currency translation adjustment  478   (97) 
Net comprehensive income $20,651  $27,427  
           
           
Basic net income per share:         
 Net income applicable to common stockholders $20,173  $27,524  
 Weighted average common shares outstanding  60,143   65,037  
 Basic net income per share $0.34  $0.42  
           
Diluted net income per share:         
 Net income applicable to common stockholders $20,173  $27,524  
       
 Weighted average common shares outstanding  60,143   65,037  
 Dilutive shares from assumed conversion of convertible senior notes  1,683   -  
 Dilutive stock options and restricted stock  1,564   1,187  
 Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding  63,390   66,224  
 Diluted net income per share $0.32  $0.42  

 

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION  
SEGMENTS AND RELATED INFORMATION  
(Dollars in thousands)  
(Unaudited)  
            
   Commercial  Diversified Corporate and    
Three Months Ended March 31, Trailer Products Products Eliminations Consolidated  
 2017          
New trailers shipped  10,400  500  -   10,900  
Used trailers shipped  50  50  -   100  
            
New Trailers $257,190 $30,695 $-  $287,885  
Used Trailers $887 $1,219 $-   2,106  
Components, parts and service $12,743 $33,675 $(1,983)  44,435  
Equipment and other $3,969 $24,321 $-   28,290  
 Total net external sales $274,789 $89,910 $(1,983) $362,716  
            
Gross profit $42,127 $17,593 $(364) $59,356  
Income (Loss) from operations $33,392 $4,604 $(7,732) $30,264  
            
 2016          
New trailers shipped  14,000  500  -   14,500  
Used trailers shipped  250  50  -   300  
            
New Trailers $342,033 $29,776 $-  $371,809  
Used Trailers $3,852 $901 $-   4,753  
Components, parts and service $14,203 $27,388 $(2,653)  38,938  
Equipment and other $3,952 $28,224 $-   32,176  
 Total net external sales $364,040 $86,289 $(2,653) $447,676  
            
Gross profit $60,395 $20,210 $(1,080) $79,525  
Income (Loss) from operations $50,257 $6,990 $(9,062) $48,185  

 

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)
       
    March 31, December 31,
     2017  2016
    (Unaudited)  
ASSETS
Current assets    
 Cash and cash equivalents $211,215 $163,467
 Accounts receivable  117,281  153,634
 Inventories  190,220  139,953
 Deferred income taxes  -  -
 Prepaid expenses and other    17,981    24,351
  Total current assets $536,697 $481,405
       
Property, plant and equipment  132,658  134,138
       
Deferred income taxes  20,343  20,343
       
Goodwill   148,333  148,367
       
Intangible assets  89,927  94,405
       
Other assets    21,325    20,075
    $  949,283 $  898,733
       
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities    
 Current portion of long-term debt $49,584 $2,468
 Current portion of capital lease obligations  424  494
 Accounts payable  109,912  71,338
 Other accrued liabilities    95,182    92,314
  Total current liabilities $255,102 $166,614
       
Long-term debt  186,407  233,465
       
Capital lease obligations  1,308  1,409
       
Deferred income taxes  486  499
       
Other noncurrent liabilities  25,132  24,355
       
Stockholders' equity $  480,848    472,391
    $  949,283 $  898,733

 

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(Dollars in thousands) 
(Unaudited) 
  
 Three Months Ended March 31, 
  2017   2016  
     
Cash flows from operating activities      
 Net income$20,173  $27,524  
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities    
 Depreciation 4,202   4,176  
  Amortization of intangibles 4,501   4,988  
  Net gain on the sale of assets   (2,456)  -  
  Deferred income taxes (13)  7,595  
  Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation  -   (1,090) 
  Loss on debt extinguishment 640   487  
 Stock-based compensation 2,963   2,470  
  Non-cash interest expense 520   948  
 Changes in operating assets and liabilities    
 Accounts receivable 36,353   (6,619) 
 Inventories (51,692)  (41,227) 
 Prepaid expenses and other 5,214   (3,763) 
 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 41,395   46,316  
 Other, net   428     1,099  
 Net cash provided by operating activities$62,228  $42,904  
             
Cash flows from investing activities      
 Capital expenditures (3,173)  (2,976) 
 Proceeds from the sale of property, plant, and equipment  3,761   -  
 Other, net       1,218     -   
 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities$1,806  $(2,976) 
             
Cash flows from financing activities      
 Proceeds from exercise of stock options   5,408   192  
 Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation  -   1,090  
 Dividends paid     (3,893)  -  
 Borrowings under revolving credit facilities  152   175  
 Payments under revolving credit facilities   (152)  (175) 
 Principal payments under capital lease obligations  (171)  (225) 
 Proceeds from issuance of term loan credit facility  189,470   -  
 Principal payments under term loan credit facility  (189,944)  (482) 
 Principal payments under industrial revenue bond  (177)  (127) 
 Debt issuance costs paid    (354)  -  
 Stock repurchase     (16,625)  (8,757) 
 Convertible senior notes repurchase   -     (42,061) 
 Net cash used in financing activities$  (16,286) $  (50,370) 
                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents$47,748  $(10,442) 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   163,467     178,853  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$  211,215  $  168,411  

 

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION 
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES TO 
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) 
(Unaudited) 
              
Operating EBITDA1:             
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
          
  2017   2016           
Net income$20,173  $27,524           
Income tax expense 8,434   16,168           
Interest expense 2,990   4,095           
Depreciation and amortization 8,704   9,164           
Stock-based compensation 2,963   2,470           
Other non-operating (income) expense   (1,333)    398           
Operating EBITDA$  41,930  $  59,819           
              
              
 Three Months Ended Trailing
Twelve
Months
    
 June 30,
2016
 September 30,
2016
 December 31,
2016
 March 31,
2017
 March 31,
2017
    
Net income$35,531  $33,378  $23,000  $20,173  $112,082     
Income tax expense 19,197   18,401   12,217   8,434   58,249     
Interest expense 3,937   3,906   3,725   2,990   14,558     
Depreciation and amortization 8,986   9,052   9,565   8,704   36,307     
Stock-based compensation 3,232   2,915   3,420   2,963   12,530     
Impairment of Intangibles 1,663   -   -   -   1,663     
Other non-operating (income) expense   206     (831)    1,679     (1,333)    (279)    
Operating EBITDA$  72,752  $  66,821  $  53,606  $  41,930  $  235,109     
                        
              
Adjusted Earnings2:             
 Three Months Ended March 31,      
  2017   2016       
 $ Per Share $ Per Share      
              
Net Income$20,173  $0.32  $27,524  $0.42       
              
Adjustments:             
Facility transactions3 (1,665)  (0.03)  -   -       
Loss on debt extinguishment, net of taxes 640   0.01   487   0.01       
Tax effect of aforementioned items   369     0.01     (180)    -        
              
Adjusted earnings$  19,517  $  0.31  $  27,831  $  0.42       
              
Weighted Average # of Diluted Shares O/S   63,390       66,224         
              
              
 Three Months Ended  
 June 30, 2016 September 30, 2016 December 31, 2016  
 $ Per Share $ Per Share $ Per Share  
              
Net Income$35,531  $0.53  $33,378  $0.51  $23,000  $0.36   
              
Adjustments:             
Facility transactions3 -   -   (740)  (0.01)  450   0.01   
Impairment of goodwill and other intangibles 1,663   0.02   -   -   -   -   
Loss on debt extinguishment   -      -      -      -      1,408     0.02   
Tax effect of aforementioned items   (584)    (0.01)    263     -      (645)    (0.01)  
              
Adjusted earnings$  36,610  $  0.55  $  32,901  $  0.50  $  24,213  $  0.38   
              
Weighted Average # of Diluted Shares O/S   67,115       66,032       63,701     
              
1Operating EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, impairment of intangibles, and other non-operating income and expense.  
              
2Adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per diluted share reflect adjustments for income (loss) recognized on the sale of the Company's former facilities as well as charges related to losses incurred in connection with the Company’s extinguishment of debt and impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets.  
              
3Facility transactions in 2016 and 2017 relate to gains and/or losses incurred for the sale or closure of our locations in Phoenix, Denver, Miami, and Findlay.  



            

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