Firan Technology Group Corporation ("FTG" or "the Corporation") Announces Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results


TORONTO, Oct. 10, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Firan Technology Group Corporation (TSX:FTG) today announced financial results for the third quarter 2018.

  • Achieved record third quarter sales of $25.0M, an increase of 31% over Q3 2017
  • Grew Circuits segment by 22% over Q3 last year
  • Grew Aerospace segment by 50% over Q3 last year
  • Achieved $2.7M EBITDA, an increase of $0.9M over Q3 last year
  • Grew Q3 2018 net income by 320% over same period last year

“The third quarter of 2018 came in as expected for the summer months, which typically experience a drop in sales from Q2 due to higher vacations and fewer production days,” stated Brad Bourne, President and Chief Executive Officer. He added, “Sales and profitability were up dramatically from Q3 last year again demonstrating the transition activities are mostly behind us.  We will continue to work on managing transition and one-time costs in our Chatsworth operations.”

Third Quarter Results: (three months ended August 31, 2018 compared with three months ended September 1, 2017)

  Q3 2018  Q3 2017 
   
Sales$25,001,000 $19,144,000 
       
Gross Margin 5,909,000  5,199,000 
Gross Margin (%) 23.6% 27.2%
   
Operating Earnings (1): 2,580,000
  2,278,000
 
       
• Net R&D Investment 979,000  1,668,000 
• Foreign Exchange Loss (Gain) (34,000) (272,000)
• Recovery of Investment Tax Credits (205,000) (166,000)
• Amortization of Intangibles 266,000  273,000 
   
Net Earnings before Tax 1,574,000  775,000 
   
• Current Tax Expense 15,000  14,000 
• Deferred Tax Expense 916,000  623,000 
• Non-controlling Interests (4,000) (16,000)
Net Earnings After Tax$647,000 $154,000 
Earnings per share  
- basic$0.03 $0.01 
- diluted$0.03 $0.01 
       

Year-to-Date Results: (nine months ended August 31, 2018 compared with nine months ended September 1, 2017)

  YTD 2018  YTD 2017 
   
Sales$81,407,000 $71,829,000 
       
Gross Margin 17,998,000  17,838,000 
Gross Margin (%) 22.1% 24.8%
   
Operating Earnings (1): 7,720,000

  7,876,000

 
       
• Restructuring 195,000  - 
• Net R&D Investment 3,200,000  4,924,000 
• Foreign Exchange Loss (Gain) (164,000) (229,000)
• Recovery of Investment Tax Credits (568,000) (495,000)
• Amortization of Intangibles 783,000  840,000 
   
Net Earnings before Tax 4,274,000  2,836,000 
   
• Current Tax Expense 55,000  (10,000)
• Deferred Tax Expense 2,591,000  1,802,000 
• Non-controlling Interests (21,000) (34,000)
Net Earnings After Tax$1,649,000 $1,078,000 
Earnings per share  
- basic$0.07 $0.05 
- diluted$0.07 $0.04 
       
  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 the third quarter of 2018 that continue to improve the Corporation and position it for the future, including:

  • Began shipments to Flight Safety International for the KC-46 simulator program
  • Shipped first set of the redesigned cockpit control devices for the third test aircraft for the C919 program in China
  • Completed qualification testing of the cursor control device for a helicopter program and are progressing through Transport Canada approval
  • Completed qualification testing of a cockpit power supply for the LE-700 training aircraft in China
  • Achieved sales resulting from the 2016 acquisitions of $5.4M versus our target of $5.5M
  • Received Authorization to Proceed on a new military helicopter simulation program with an expected value between $1-2M USD
  • Received our first ever patent for High Temperature Rigid Flex circuit board technology in the UK
  • Won a contract to develop cockpit panels for the Orion manned spacecraft being developed for NASA
  • Completed our first robotic automation project including Industry 4.0 technology at our Circuits Toronto facility

For FTG, overall sales increased by $5.9M or 30.6% from $19.1M in Q3 2017 to $25.0M in Q3 2018.  Both the Circuits and Aerospace segments contributed to the growth.  Also contributing to the growth was the weakening of the Canadian dollar by 2.5 cents in Q3 this year compared to the same period last year.  For the year-to-date, sales were up $9.6M or 13.3% due to the above items plus the one time revenue recognition of $5M from the C919 program in Q1 2018. 

The Circuits Segment sales were up $3.0M or 22.1% in Q3 2018 versus Q3 2017.  On a year-to-date basis, Circuits sales were up by $1.3M or 2.8%. 

For the Aerospace segment, sales in Q3 2018 were $8.6M compared to $5.7M in the same quarter last year resulting in a 50.6% growth rate. Year-to-date sales were up $8.3M or 31.4% in the Aerospace segment.

Gross margins in Q3 2018 were up $0.7M compared to Q3 2017.  The benefit of increased sales and lower costs were partially offset by a $0.95M inventory provision in Aerospace Chatsworth against inventory acquired in the two acquisitions in 2016.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for FTG for Q3 2018 was $2.7M and $9.2M for the trailing twelve months.

The following table reconciles EBITDA(2)  to the net earnings for Q3, 2018 and trailing twelve months.

  Q3 2018 Trailing Twelve Months
   
Net earnings$643,000$1,791,000
Add:  
Interest 139,000 547,000
Income taxes/ITC 726,000 2,414,000
Depreciation/Amortization 1,166,000 4,483,000
   
EBITDA$2,674,000$9,235,000
     
  1. 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 2018 was $0.6M compared to a net profit of $0.1M in Q3 2017.  Q3 2018 had higher sales, lower R&D spending, offset by an inventory provision increase of $0.95M.    

The Circuits segment net earnings before corporate and interest and other costs was $3.0M in Q3 2018 compared to $1.7M in Q3 2017.

The Aerospace net earnings before corporate and interest and other costs in the quarter was ($0.7M) versus ($1.3M) in Q3 2017. Q3 2018 had an inventory provision increase of $0.95M.

As at August 31, 2018, the Corporation’s net working capital was $28.5M, an increase of $4.1M over year end 2017.  Higher accounts receivables, inventory and lower bank debt and lower accounts payable was offset by higher customer deposits.

Net debt to EBITDA, was 0.9:1 for the trailing 12 month period.

The Corporation will host a live conference call on Thursday, October 11, 2018 at 8:30 am (EDT) to discuss the results of Q3 2018.

Anyone wishing to participate in the call should dial 647-427-2311 or 1-866-521-4909 and identify that you are calling to participate in the FTG conference call. The Chairperson is Mr. Brad Bourne.  A replay of the call will be available until October 25, 2018 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 8565389.       

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 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
bradbourne@ftgcorp.com

Melinda Diebel, Vice President and CFO
Firan Technology Group Corporation
Tel:(416) 299-4000 x264
melindadiebel@ftgcorp.com

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



FIRAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION  
Interim Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets  
   
(Unaudited)August 31,November 30,
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)2018
2017
ASSETS  
Current assets  
Cash$  2,481  $  2,752
Accounts receivable   18,477     17,983
Taxes receivable   134     209
Inventories   26,430     25,079
Prepaid expenses   1,242     1,506
    48,764     47,529
Non-current assets  
Plant and equipment, net   11,576     12,222
Deferred income tax assets   394     395
Investment tax credits receivable   5,043     6,420
Deferred development costs   268     681
Intangible assets and other assets, net   3,207     3,768
Total assets$  69,252  $  71,015
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY  
Current liabilities  
Bank indebtedness$  2,611  $  6,444
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   12,779     13,341
Provisions   523     390
Customer deposits   2,397     1,268
Current portion of long-term bank debt   1,935     1,726
    20,245     23,169
Non-current liabilities  
Long-term bank debt   5,840     6,040
Deferred tax payable   1,810     1,696
Total liabilities   27,895     30,905
Equity  
Retained earnings$  10,461  $  8,812
Accumulated other comprehensive income   (412)   187
    10,049     8,999
Share capital  
Common shares   19,323     19,295
Preferred shares   2,218     2,218
Contributed surplus   8,598     8,384
Total equity attributable to FTG's shareholders   40,188     38,896
Non-controlling interest   1,169     1,214
Total equity   41,357     40,110
Total liabilities and equity$  69,252  $  71,015
      


FIRAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings
     
  Three months ended   Nine months ended 
(Unaudited)
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
August 31,
2018
 September 01,
2017
 August 31,
2018
 September 01,
2017
      
Sales$  25,001   $  19,144  $  81,407   $  71,829 
      
Cost of sales     
Cost of sales   18,304      13,253     61,142      51,908 
Depreciation of plant and equipment   788      692     2,267      2,083 
Total cost of sales   19,092      13,945     63,409      53,991 
Gross margin   5,909      5,199     17,998      17,838 
      
Expenses     
Selling, general and administrative   3,156      2,787     9,757      9,509 
Research and development costs   1,034      1,723     3,365      5,089 
Recovery of research and development costs   (55)    (55)    (165)    (165)
Recovery of investment tax credits   (205)    (166)    (568)    (495)
Depreciation of plant and equipment   34      25     99      91 
Amortization of intangible assets   266      273     783      840 
Interest expense on short-term debt   47      56     200      184 
Interest expense on long-term debt   92      53     222      178 
Foreign exchange (gain) loss   (34)    (272)    (164)    (229)
Restructuring expenses   -       -      195      - 
Total expenses   4,335      4,424     13,724      15,002 
      
Earnings before income taxes   1,574      775     4,274      2,836 
      
Current income tax expense   15      14     55      (10)
Deferred income tax expense   916      623     2,591      1,802 
Total income tax expense   931      637     2,646      1,792 
      
Net earnings$  643   $  138  $  1,628   $  1,044 
      
Attributable to:     
Non-controlling interest$  (4) $  (16) $  (21) $  (34)
Equity holders of FTG$  647   $  154  $  1,649   $  1,078 
      
Earnings per share, attributable to the equity holders of FTG     
Basic$  0.03   $  0.01  $  0.07   $  0.05 
Diluted$  0.03   $  0.01  $  0.07   $  0.04 
                


FIRAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION     
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)   
       
   Three months ended   Nine months ended 
(Unaudited)
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)
 August 31,
2018
 September 01,
2017
 August 31,
2018
 September 01,
2017
       
Net earnings $  643   $  138  $  1,628   $  1,044 
       
Other comprehensive income (loss) to be reclassified to net earnings      
in subsequent periods:      
       
Foreign currency translation adjustments    (166)    (2,424)    (210)    (1,611)
Net unrealized (loss) gain on derivative financial instruments                
designated as cash flow hedges    (420)    2,983     (551)    1,839 
Tax impact    105      (746)    138      (460)
       
     (481)    (187)    (623)    (232)
       
Total comprehensive income (loss) $  162   $  (49) $  1,005   $  812 
       
Attributable to:      
Equity holders of FTG $  233   $  27  $  1,050   $  874 
Non-controlling interest $  (71) $  (76) $  (45) $  (62)
                 


FIRAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION      
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity    
         
         
Nine months ended August 31, 2018  Attributed to the equity holders of FTG   
     Accumulated   
     Other  Non- 
(Unaudited)CommonPreferredRetainedContributedComprehensive  controlling Total
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)SharesSharesEarningsSurplusIncome (Loss)Totalinterestequity
         
Balance, November 30, 2017$  19,295 $  2,218 $  8,812 $  8,384  $  187  $  38,896  $  1,214  $  40,110  
Net earnings   -     -     1,649    -      -      1,649     (21)   1,628  
Stock-based compensation   -     -     -     222     -      222     -      222  
Common shares issued on exercise of                     
share options and PSU's   28    -     -     (8)   -      20     -      20  
Foreign currency translation adjustments   -     -     -     -      (186)   (186)   (24)   (210)
Net unrealized gain (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  
         
Nine months ended September 01, 2017  Attributed to the equity holders of FTG   
     Accumulated   
     Other Non- 
 CommonPreferredRetainedContributedComprehensive controllingTotal
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)SharesSharesEarningsSurplusIncome (Loss)Totalinterestequity
         
Balance, November 30, 2016$  19,051$  2,218$  7,543$  8,381 $  443 $  37,636 $  443 $  38,079 
Net earnings   -    -    1,078   -     -     1,078    (34)   1,044 
Stock-based compensation   -    -    -    99    -     99    -     99 
Common shares issued on exercise of                     
share options and PSU's   204   -    -    (158)   -     46    -     46 
Foreign currency translation adjustments   -    -    -    -     (1,583)   (1,583)   (28)   (1,611)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivative financial                     
instruments designated as cash flow hedges net of tax impact   -    -    -    -     1,379    1,379    -     1,379 
Contribution from non-controlling interest   -    -    -    -     -     -     824    824 
Balance, September 01, 2017$  19,255$  2,218$  8,621$  8,322 $  239 $  38,655 $  1,205 $  39,860 
                      


FIRAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION      
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows     
       
   Three months ended   Nine months ended 
(Unaudited)
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)
 August 31,
2018
 September 01,
2017
 August 31,
2018
 September 01,
2017
Net inflow (outflow) of cash related to the following:      
Operating activities      
Net earnings $  643   $  138  $  1,628   $  1,044 
Items not affecting cash:      
Non-controlling interest share of net loss (earnings)    4      16     21      34 
Stock-based compensation    74      75     222      99 
(Gain) on disposal of plant and equipment    (2)    (3)    (2)    (21)
Effect of exchange rates on US dollar debt    69      (547)    139      (482)
Depreciation of plant and equipment    823      717     2,366      2,174 
Amortization of intangible assets    266      273     783      840 
Amortization of deferred financing costs    3      3     9      9 
Deferred income tax expense    488      1,370     2,060      2,481 
Investment tax credits (recovery) expense    (205)    (166)    (568)    (495)
Decrease in net unrealized gain on derivative                
financial instruments designated as cash flow                
hedges    (360)    1,217     (624)    1,016 
Net change in non-cash operating working capital    (837)    (817)    (859)    (417)
     966      2,276     5,175      6,282 
Investing activities      
Additions to plant and equipment    (481)    (1,419)    (1,687)    (4,906)
Recovery (additions) of deferred development costs, other    5      (1)    226      115 
Proceeds from disposal of plant and equipment    3      -      3      18 
     (473)    (1,420)    (1,458)    (4,773)
Net cash flow from operating and investing activities    493      856     3,717      1,509 
Financing activities      
(Decrease) in bank indebtedness    (1,278)    (1,177)    (3,833)    (1,408)
Proceeds from long-term bank debt    -       -      1,289      -  
Repayments of long-term bank debt    (501)    (377)    (1,428)    (1,159)
Funding from non-controlling interest    -       -      -       824 
Proceeds from issue of Common shares    8      40     20      46 
     (1,771)    (1,514)    (3,952)    (1,697)
Effects of foreign exchange rate changes on cash flow    (38)    (539)    (36)    (525)
Net (decrease) in cash flow    (1,316)    (1,197)    (271)    (713)
Cash, beginning of the period    3,797      3,636     2,752      3,152 
Cash, end of period $  2,481   $  2,439  $  2,481   $  2,439 
       
Disclosure of cash payments      
Payment for interest $  125   $  111  $  425   $  370 
Payments for income taxes $  1   $  1  $  14   $  5