AMG reports first quarter 2011 results - AMG Corporate

AMG reports first quarter 2011 results

Key Highlights

  • Revenue was $318.0 million in the first quarter 2011, a 35% increase over the same period in 2010 

  • Operating profit was $17.4 million in the first quarter 2011, a 48% increase over the same period in 2010  

  • EBITDA[1] was $26.2 million in the first quarter 2011, a 19% increase over the same period in 2010 

  • EPS on a fully diluted basis was $0.25 compared to $0.00 in the first quarter 2010; excluding Timminco, EPS was $0.41 in the first quarter 2011, compared to $0.11 in the first quarter 2010  

  • The Advanced Materials Division generated revenue of $210.8 million and EBITDA of $14.6 million in the first quarter 2011 

  • The Engineering Systems Division generated revenue of $64.9 million and EBITDA of $5.3 million in the first quarter 2011 

  • Graphit Kropfmühl generated revenue of $42.3 million and EBITDA of $6.3 million in the first quarter 2011 

  • As of March 31, 2011 cash on hand was $66.1 million;  net debt was $201.0 million  

 

 

 

Amsterdam, 11 May 2011 (Regulated Information) AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. (“AMG”, EURONEXT AMSTERDAM: “AMG”) reported first quarter 2011 revenue of $318.0 million, a 35% increase from $235.8 million in the first quarter 2010.

 

EBITDA increased 19% to $26.2 million in the first quarter 2011 from $22.0 million in the first quarter 2010.  Net profit attributable to shareholders for the first quarter 2011 was $7.0 million, or $0.25 per fully diluted share.  This was up from breakeven, or $0.00 per fully diluted share, in the first quarter 2010.  Excluding AMG’s share of Timminco’s net loss in the first quarter, AMG’s net profit attributable to shareholders for the first quarter 2011 was $11.4 million, or $0.41 per fully diluted share compared to $0.11 in the first quarter 2010.  

 

Dr. Heinz Schimmelbusch, Chairman of the Management Board and CEO, said, “The business performed well in the first quarter 2011.  Improved pricing in a number of Advanced Materials products such as antimony, chromium and tantalum resulted in increased earnings.  Engineering Systems’ order intake was encouraging, however, revenue was flat compared to the same period in the prior year and EBITDA decreased.  Increases in silicon metal prices and natural graphite demand resulted in significant improvements in Graphit Kropfmühl’s revenue and earnings during the quarter.  AMG’s implementation of vertical raw material strategies, horizontal consolidation and continued investment in technology has contributed to the Company’s positive start to 2011.”

 

 

[1] EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization and excludes nonrecurring items

 

 

Key Figures

 

In 000’s US Dollar      
  Q1’11 Q1’10 Change
       
Revenue $317,999 $235,793 35%
Gross profit 59,780 42,584 40%
Gross margin 18.8% 18.1%  
       
Operating profit 17,406 11,787 48%
Operating margin 5.5% 5.0%  
       
Net profit (loss) attributable to shareholders  

6,972
 

(64)
 

N/A
       
EPS- Fully diluted 0.25 0.00 N/A
Adjusted EPS- Fully diluted (1) 0.41 0.11 273%
       
EBIT (2) 18,854 15,866 19%
EBITDA (3) 26,168 22,047 19%
EBITDA margin 8.2% 9.4%  

Note:  
(1) Adjusted to exclude all Timminco results including equity losses which accounted for $0.16 in EPS in Q1 2011
(2) EBIT is defined as earnings before interest, tax and excludes nonrecurring items
(3) EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization and excludes nonrecurring items

 

 

Operational Review

 

Advanced Materials Division

  Q1’11(1) Q1’10 Change
Revenue $210,845 $140,534 50%
Gross margin 32,380 21,136 53%
Operating profit 9,153 4,301 113%
EBITDA 14,563 8,499 71%
Capital expenditures 5,554 3,321     67%

(1) Results include KB Alloys LLC from the February 18, 2011 date of acquisition

 

The Advanced Materials division’s first quarter 2011 financial results were positively impacted by the acquisition of KB Alloys LLC, increasing chromium metal and aluminum master alloy volumes and a rise in antimony prices.  Revenue increased by $70.3 million or 50% to $210.8 million.  The increase in revenue was specifically the result of $11.0 million of revenue from KB Alloys LLC, which was acquired in February 2011, and a 37% and 34% increase in chromium and non-KB Alloys aluminum revenue, respectively.    

 

The first quarter 2011 gross margin of 15% of revenue was consistent with the first quarter of 2010.  Increased economies of scale were offset by unfavourable changes in product mix, specifically increased lower margin aluminum products revenue, resulting in consistent gross margins.

 

The first quarter 2011 EBITDA increased by $6.1 million to 7% of revenue from 6% of revenue in 2010, due to the increase in gross profit, but this was offset by a 44% increase in SG&A due to the acquisition of KB Alloys and long-term incentive expenses.

 

Capital expenditures were $5.6 million for the quarter, 67% more than the first quarter 2010.  Significant growth capital investments made in the first quarter included a $1.1 million investment in the hydropower facility in Brazil.

 

 

Engineering Systems Division

  Q1’11 Q1’10 Change
Revenue $64,887 $65,313 (1%)
Gross margin 18,464 18,303 1%
Operating profit 2,970 7,169 (59%)
EBITDA 5,256 12,079 (56%)
Capital expenditures        1,544            845     83%

 

 

The Engineering Systems division’s first quarter 2011 revenue was flat compared to the first quarter 2010 as a slightly higher opening order backlog in 2011 was offset by longer project lead times.  The order backlog increased to $195.9 million as of March 31, 2011, up 7% from $183.3 million as of December 31, 2010.  The division generated order intake of $65.7 million in the first quarter 2011, a 1.01x book to bill ratio and a 71% increase compared to the first quarter 2010.  Order intake of solar silicon DSS furnaces improved 301% from the first quarter 2010, accounting for 43% of total order intake. Demand for vacuum furnaces for specialty steel used in aerospace and energy also increased substantially compared to the same period in the prior year.

 

Sales of solar silicon DSS furnaces decreased 42% in the first quarter 2011 compared to the same period in 2010, however, sales were still 27% of revenue in the first quarter 2011.  Revenue from remelting systems, primarily for the aerospace and specialty steel industries, decreased by 20% to $10.7 million in the first quarter 2011 while the Own and Operate business increased revenue by 57% to $9.8 million.

 

The first quarter 2011 gross margin of 28% of revenue was flat compared to the first quarter 2010 as a result of level revenue and production cost controls.  

 

First quarter 2011 EBITDA decreased by $6.8 million to 8% of revenue from 18% of revenue in the first quarter 2010 due to increases in long-term incentive expenses and costs associated with the acquisition of the Mono2(TM) technology.

 

Capital expenditures were $1.5 million, 83% more than the first quarter of 2010.  This growth capital investment is creating additional capacity for its U.S. Own and Operate facility to meet increasing demand.  

 

 

Graphit Kropfmühl

  Q1 ’11 Q1 ’10 Change
Revenue $42,267    $29,946 41%
Gross profit
Operating profit
8,936
5,283
      3,145
317
184%
1567%
EBITDA 6,349       1,469 332%
Capital expenditures 1,151          980 17%

 

 

Increasing silicon metal prices and natural graphite volumes resulted in significantly improved financial results for Graphit Kropfmühl (“GK”) in the first quarter 2011.  First quarter 2011 revenue increased by $12.3 million, or 41%, to $42.3 million.  Natural graphite revenue increased $5.3 million, or 57%, driven by increases in both volumes and pricing.  Silicon metal revenue increased by $7.0 million or 34%, primarily as a result of higher silicon sales prices.  

 

The first quarter 2011 gross margin increased to 21% of revenue from 11% of revenue in the first quarter of 2010.  Increased economies of scale resulting in lower per unit production costs of natural graphite and higher sales prices for silicon metal resulted in a significant increase in gross margins.

 

First quarter 2011 EBITDA was $6.3 million, a 332% increase compared to the first quarter 2010.  The EBITDA margin increased to 15% in the first quarter 2011, up significantly from 5% in the same period 2010.  The EBITDA margin increase was attributable to the increase gross margins for silicon metal and natural graphite, slightly offset by a 22% increase in SG&A due to incentive plan expenses.  

 

Capital expenditures increased to $1.2 million in the first quarter 2011, 17% more than the first quarter 2010.  The increase in capital expenditures was a result of upgrading the high purity natural graphite production facility to meet market demand.  

 

 

Timminco

 

AMG’s ownership in Timminco was 42.5% as of March 31, 2011. AMG accounts for its investment in Timminco via the equity accounting method.  Timminco’s loss for the first quarter 2011 is included in share of loss of associates on AMG’s income statement and the carrying value of AMG’s investment in Timminco of $13.3 million is listed as an asset on AMG’s balance sheet.  Additional information on Timminco can be found at www.Timminco.com.

 

 

Financial Review

 

Tax

 

AMG recorded a tax expense of $5.0 million in the first quarter 2011 as compared to a tax expense of $3.9 million in the first quarter 2010.  Excluding share of loss of associates, for which AMG cannot recognize a tax benefit since these companies are not consolidated, AMG’s effective tax rate was 29% in the first quarter 2011.   

 

SG&A

 

AMG’s SG&A expenses were $42.9 million in the first quarter 2011, compared to $30.6 million in the first quarter 2010.  The $12.3 million change in SG&A expenses was primarily due to an increase in long-term incentive expenses as well as acquisition costs related to the KB Alloys LLC transaction and the additional SG&A expenses incurred by AMG Idealcast Solar (formerly BP Solar), and KB Alloys LLC.  

 

 

Currency Fluctuations

 

AMG transacts business in many currencies other than the US dollar, our reporting currency.  As our financial statements are prepared in US dollars, fluctuations in the exchange rates between the US dollar and other currencies have an effect both on our results of operations and on the reported value of our assets and liabilities as measured in US dollars.  The decline in the value of the US dollar as of March 31, 2011 resulted in an increase in the assets and liabilities on the balance sheet of $32.5 million and $25.4 million, respectively.  The net result of the appreciation in the value of the US dollar quarter over quarter resulted in a decrease in revenue and EBITDA of $2.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively in the first quarter 2011.

 

Liquidity

  March 31, 2011 December 31, 2010 Change
Total debt $267,060 $237,089 13%
Cash & short-term investments 66,071 89,311 (26%)
Net debt 200,989 147,778 36%

 

 

AMG had a net debt position of $201.0 million as of March 31, 2011.  AMG’s net debt position increased $53.2 million since December 31, 2010 primarily due to $16.3 million of cash tax payments, $8.2 million in capital investments, the $24.3 million acquisition of KB Alloys LLC, and a $39.1 million increase in working capital due to increasing material costs, reduced by EBITDA of $26.2 million.

 

Following the close of the first quarter, AMG refinanced its primary credit facility and secured a $300 million credit facility composed of a Euro denominated, U.S. dollar equivalent, $100 million term loan and a $200 million revolving credit facility.  This facility has a five-year term and matures in April 2016.

 

 

Cash Flow

  Q1’11 Q1’10
     
Net cash flows used in operations $(13,753) $(14,921)
Capital expenditures (8,249) (5,146)
Acquisitions, net of cash (26,823) (600)
Cash flows used in other investing 2,195 (191)
Net cash flows used in investing activities (32,877) (5,937)
Cash flows generated from financing activities 19,389 7,643

 

 

Cash flows used in operations were $13.8 million in the first quarter 2011 as compared to $14.9 million in the first quarter 2010.  The cash flows used in operations in the first quarter 2011 are a result of $16.3 million in cash tax payments as well as a $29.0 million increase in working capital and provisions, offset by $26.2 million in EBITDA.  The substantial cash tax payments are partially due to the difference between IFRS percentage of completion accounting as compared to completed contract methodology for tax payments in the Engineering Systems division.

 

Cash used in investing activities was $32.9 million in the first quarter 2011.  This increase of $26.9 million from the first quarter 2010 is composed of a $26.2 million increase in acquisitions, primarily for KB Alloys LLC, and a $3.1 million increase in capital investments, slightly offset by a $2.4 million decrease in cash flows in other investing activities due to a decrease in restricted cash for project work at the Engineering Systems division.

 

Cash generated from financing activities was $19.4 million in the first quarter 2011, an $11.8 million increase from the first quarter 2010.  This increase was primarily attributable to $15.0 million in draws on the revolving lines of credit, which were used to fund the acquisition of KB Alloys LLC.

 

 

 Outlook

 

The Advanced Materials division is experiencing strong prices for some of its products including antimony trioxide, tantalum and chromium metal and improved operating results reflecting cost improvements made in 2009 and 2010.  Requests for new orders in Engineering Systems are slowly increasing.  Graphit Kropfmühl’s end markets are improving, particularly natural graphite demand and silicon metal prices.  Based upon current market conditions, AMG expects to generate EBITDA growth in excess of 20% in 2011.

 

AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.
Condensed interim consolidated income statement

 

For the three months ended March 31      
In thousands of US Dollars             2011           2010
       Unaudited  Unaudited
Continuing operations      
Revenue   317,999 235,793
Cost of sales   258,219 193,209
Gross profit   59,780 42,584
         
Selling, general and administrative expenses   42,937 30,614
Restructuring expense   285 7
Environmental expense   105 257
Other income, net   (953) (81)
Operating profit   17,406 11,787
       
Finance expense   3,760 6,320
Finance income   (3,255) (547)
Foreign exchange gain   (17) (2,164)
Net finance costs   488 3,609
         
Share of loss of associates   4,377 4,395
Profit before income tax   12,541 3,783
       
Income tax expense   4,964 3,867
Profit (loss) for the period   7,577 (84)
       
       
Attributable to:      
  Shareholders of the Company   6,972        (64)
  Non-controlling interests   605            (20)
      7,577        (84)
         
Earnings  per share      
Basic earnings per share   0.25 0.00
Diluted earnings per share   0.25 0.00
       

 

 

AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.    
Condensed interim consolidated statement of financial position
In thousands of US Dollars
     
  March 31, 2011 December 31,
 2010
    Unaudited Audited
Assets      
  Property, plant and equipment   244,724 228,612
  Intangible assets   36,641 27,002
  Investments in associates and joint ventures   22,376 25,186
  Deferred tax assets   23,716 22,107
  Restricted cash   11,179 12,528
  Notes receivable   733 322
  Derivative financial instruments   7,427 5,199
  Other assets   16,504 15,372
Total non-current assets   363,300 336,328
         
  Inventories   244,920 207,204
  Trade and other receivables   206,247 175,421
  Derivative financial instruments   7,287 5,731
  Other assets   43,427 41,080
  Cash and cash equivalents   66,071 89,311
Total current assets   567,952 518,747
Total assets   931,252 855,075
         
       

 

 

AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.    
Condensed interim consolidated statement of financial position (continued)
In thousands of US Dollars
     

 

  March 31, 2011 December 31,
 2010
    Unaudited Audited
Equity      
  Issued capital   741 741
  Share premium   381,636 381,636
  Other reserves   42,210 36,158
  Retained earnings (deficit)   (189,523) (196,481)
Equity attributable to shareholders of the Company 235,064          222,054
Non-controlling interests 13,188 11,911
Total equity   248,252 233,965
         
Liabilities      
  Loans and borrowings   211,027 187,813
  Employee benefits   95,011 88,372
  Provisions   21,097 20,607
  Government grants   636 642
  Other liabilities   5,848 5,517
  Derivative financial instruments   470 698
  Deferred tax liabilities   27,983 25,436
Total non-current liabilities   362,072 329,085
         
  Loans and borrowings   4,820 4,254
  Short term bank debt   51,213 45,022
  Government grants   187 175
  Other liabilities   55,732 43,287
  Trade and other payables   115,877 102,253
  Derivative financial instruments   3,971 1,754
  Advance payments   53,541 49,597
  Current taxes payable   15,749 24,979
  Provisions   19,838 20,704
Total current liabilities   320,928 292,025
Total liabilities   683,000 621,110
Total equity and liabilities   931,252 855,075

 

AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.
Condensed interim consolidated statement of cash flows       

 

For the three months ended March 31      
In thousands of US Dollars   2011 2010
    Unaudited Unaudited
Cash flows used in operating activities      
Profit (loss) for the period   7,577 (84)
Adjustments to reconcile profit (loss) to net cash flows:      
Non-cash:      
   Depreciation and amortization   7,314 6,181
   Restructuring expense   285 7
   Environmental expense   105 257
   Net finance costs   488 3,610
   Share of loss of associates   4,377 4,395
   Equity-settled share-based payment transactions   1,044 1,650
   Cash-settled share-based payment transactions   6,832 (309)
   Income tax expense   4,964 3,867
Change in working capital and provisions   (29,015) (23,210)
Other   (240) 2,410
Interest paid, net   (1,203) (1,616)
Income tax paid, net   (16,281) (12,079)
Net cash flows used in operating activities   (13,753) (14,921)
       
Cash flows used in investing activities      
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment   50 17
Acquisition of associates and joint ventures   (600)
Acquisition of subsidiaries (net of cash acquired of $91)   (26,823)
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment and intangibles   (8,249) (5,146)
Change in restricted cash   1,753 (208)
Other   392
Net cash flows used in investing activities   (32,877) (5,937)
       
Cash flows from financing activities      
Net proceeds from issuance of debt   19,364 7,582
Other   25 61
Net cash flows from financing activities   19,389 7,643
       
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents   (27,241) (13,215)
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1   89,311 117,016
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations and consolidation changes on cash   4,001 (4,944)
Cash and cash equivalents at March 31   66,071 98,857
       

 

 

About AMG

AMG creates and applies innovative metallurgical solutions to the global trend of sustainable development of natural resources and CO2 reduction.  AMG produces highly engineered specialty metal products and advanced vacuum furnace systems for the Energy, Aerospace, Infrastructure and Specialty Metals and Chemicals end markets.  AMG consists of two operating divisions, Advanced Materials and Engineering Systems, and owns interests in publicly-listed companies Graphit Kropfmühl AG (Deutsche Börse: GKR.DE) and Timminco Limited (TSX: “TIM”).

The Advanced Materials Division develops and produces specialty metals, alloys and high performance materials. AMG is a significant producer of specialty metals, such as ferrovanadium, ferronickel-molybdenum, aluminum master alloys and additives, chromium metal and ferrotitanium, for Energy, Aerospace, Infrastructure and Specialty Metal and Chemicals applications.  Other key products include specialty alloys for titanium and superalloys, coating materials, tantalum and niobium oxides, vanadium chemicals and antimony trioxide.

The Engineering Systems Division designs, engineers and produces advanced vacuum furnace systems and operates vacuum heat treatment facilities, primarily for the Aerospace and Energy (including solar and nuclear) industries.  Furnace systems produced by AMG include vacuum remelting, solar silicon melting and crystallization, vacuum induction melting, vacuum heat treatment and high pressure gas quenching, turbine blade coating and sintering.  AMG also provides vacuum case-hardening heat treatment services on a tolling basis.

Graphit Kropfmühl AG is a majority controlled, publicly listed subsidiary of AMG.  Based on its secure raw material sources in Africa, China and Europe, Graphit Kropfmühl is a specialist in the production of silicon metal and the extraction, processing and refining of natural crystalline graphite for a wide range of energy saving industrial applications.  

Timminco Limited is a publicly listed affiliate of AMG. Timminco produces silicon metal for the chemical, aluminum, electronic and solar industries.  Timminco also produces solar grade silicon, using its proprietary technology for purifying silicon metal, for the solar energy industry.

With over 2,600 employees, AMG operates globally with production facilities in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Czech Republic, United States, China, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Turkey, Poland, India and Sri Lanka and also has sales and customer service offices in Belgium, Russia and Japan (www.amg-nv.com).    

 

For further information please contact:
AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.      +1 610 975 4901
Jonathan Costello
Vice President of Corporate Communications
jcostello@amg-nv.com

 

Disclaimer

 

Certain statements in this press release are not historical facts and are “forward looking.”  Forward looking statements include statements concerning AMG’s plans, expectations, projections, objectives, targets, goals, strategies, future events, future revenues or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs, plans and intentions relating to acquisitions, AMG’s competitive strengths and weaknesses, plans or goals relating to forecasted production, reserves, financial position and future operations and development, AMG’s business strategy and the trends AMG anticipates in the industries and the political and legal environment in which it operates and other information that is not historical information.  When used in this press release, the words “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “should,” and similar expressions, and the negatives thereof, are intended to identify forward looking statements.  By their very nature, forward looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward looking statements will not be achieved.  These forward looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release.  AMG expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in AMG’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any forward looking statement is based.

 

 

The full press release including tables can be downloaded from the following link:

 

AMG reports first quarter 2011 results

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AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.
+1 610 975 4979

Michele Fischer
mfischer@amg-nv.com