AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. Reports Third Quarter 2018 Results

nov 1, 2018

Key Highlights

• Revenue increased by 27% to $328.1 million in the third quarter 2018 from $258.9 million in the third quarter 2017
• Gross profit was $79.6 million in the third quarter 2018, an increase of $28.3 million, or 55%, over the same period in 2017
• EBITDA⁽²⁾ was $59.1 million in the third quarter 2018, a 114% increase over the same period in 2017
• Net income attributable to shareholders increased by 115% to $29.9 million in the third quarter 2018 from $14.0 million in the third quarter 2017
• EPS, on a fully diluted basis, increased by 111% to $0.93 in the third quarter 2018 from $0.44 in the third quarter 2017
• Annualized return on capital employed increased to 32.8% in the third quarter 2018, as compared to 21.5% in the third quarter 2017

Amsterdam, 1 November 2018 (Regulated Information) — AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. (“AMG”, EURONEXT AMSTERDAM: “AMG”) reported third quarter 2018 revenue of $328.1 million, a 27% increase from $258.9 million in the third quarter of 2017. EBITDA for the third quarter of 2018 was $59.1 million, a 114% increase from $27.6 million in the third quarter of 2017.

Dr. Heinz Schimmelbusch, Chairman of the Management Board and CEO, said, “As demonstrated through our third quarter results, our business portfolio continues to perform exceptionally well. Thanks to strong end market fundamentals and our relentless pursuit of improvements in productivity and efficiency, AMG’s EBITDA in the third quarter 2018 is the highest reported quarterly EBITDA in 10 years.

AMG Critical Materials generated EBITDA of $52.1 million during the third quarter of 2018, an increase of 122% from $23.5 million in the third quarter of 2017, thanks to increased vanadium prices and strong financial performance in chrome metal and aluminum products.

AMG Engineering achieved EBITDA of $7.0 million during the third quarter of 2018, an increase of 69% from the third quarter of 2017, driven by higher profitability generated from the delivery of turbine blade coating furnaces and increased after-sales services during the quarter.

On a year to date basis, AMG Engineering signed $248.1 million in new orders in the current year, representing a 1.32x book to bill ratio. Order backlog was $251.2 million as of September 30, 2018, an increase of 21% from December 31, 2017.”

Key Figures

Note: 

1. EBIT is defined as earnings before interest and income taxes. EBIT excludes restructuring and equity-settled share-based payments and includes foreign currency gains or losses.
2. EBITDA is defined as EBIT adjusted for depreciation and amortization.

Operational Review

AMG Critical Materials

AMG Critical Materials revenue in the third quarter increased by $58.6 million, or 29%, to $262.0 million, driven mainly by improved vanadium, aluminum, and chrome metal prices, as well as higher sales volumes of tantalum and aluminum products.

Gross profit in the third quarter increased by $24.8 million, or 67%, to $61.5 million. Strong financial performances in vanadium, chrome metal, and aluminum were partially offset by lower gross profit in silicon metal. This strong performance was driven by higher vanadium prices, improved chrome metal product mix effects and strong sales volumes of aluminum products. The reduction in gross profit in silicon metal was primarily driven by an additional accrual for the repayment of a subsidy granted by the German government in 2012 and 2013, following the completion of negotiations. Furthermore, AMG Silicon quarterly gross profit was adversely affected by additional furnace maintenance due to residual production issues associated with low quality graphite electrodes.

SG&A expenses in the third quarter of 2018 increased by $1.6 million, or 8%, compared to the same period in the prior year due to higher personnel costs, an increase in research and development expenses, and foreign exchange effects related to the strengthening of the euro relative to the US dollar.

Third quarter 2018 EBITDA margin increased to 20%, compared to 12% in the third quarter of 2017, due to the substantial improvement in gross profit.

AMG Engineering

AMG Engineering signed $57.1 million in new orders during the third quarter 2018, representing a 0.86x book to bill ratio. Order intake in the quarter was driven by sales of turbine blade coating furnaces, powder metallurgy furnaces and induction furnaces for the aerospace market.

On a year to date basis, AMG Engineering signed $248.1 million in new orders in the current year, representing a 1.32x book to bill ratio. Order backlog was $251.2 million as of September 30, 2018, an increase of 21% from December 31, 2017.

AMG Engineering’s third quarter 2018 revenue increased $10.5 million, or 19%, to $66.1 million, due to higher revenue generated from the delivery of turbine blade coating furnaces and higher after-sales service revenues.

Third quarter 2018 gross profit increased by $3.5 million, or 24%, to $18.1 million and gross margin increased slightly to 27% from 26% in the third quarter of 2017, driven by higher revenues generated during the quarter.

SG&A expenses increased by $0.2 million, from $12.6 million in the third quarter of 2017 to $12.8 million in the third quarter of 2018.

EBITDA increased by $2.8 million to $7.0 million in the third quarter of 2018 due to higher profitability generated from the delivery of vacuum furnaces during the quarter.

Financial Review

Tax

AMG recorded an income tax expense of $10.0 million in the third quarter of 2018 as compared to a tax expense of $1.7 million in the same period in 2017, driven by higher levels of profitability, the full recognition of AMG’s US operating loss carryforwards in 2017, and the revaluation of AMG’s Brazilian tax balances.

AMG continues to benefit from net operating loss carryforward balances, primarily in the United States, to offset taxes payable. As a result, despite high pre-tax profitability, AMG paid taxes of $6.3 million in the third quarter of 2018 as compared to tax payments of $3.2 million in the same period in 2017. For the third quarter of 2018, AMG’s effective cash tax rate dropped to 16% in comparison to 21% for the same period in the prior year.

Due to the volatile nature of the company’s Brazilian deferred tax balances, AMG believes that the cash tax rate is a more meaningful metric.

Non-Recurring Items

AMG’s third quarter 2018 gross profit of $79.6 million includes non-recurring items, which are not included in the calculation of EBITDA.

A summary of non-recurring items included in gross profit in the third quarters of 2018 and 2017 are below:

Non-recurring items included in gross profit

Gross profit before non-recurring items by reporting segment

AMG Critical Materials incurred a non-recurring non-cash asset impairment expense of $4.1 million in the third quarter due to the early termination of a customer contract. AMG is in negotiations with the customer in question to fully recover the impairment costs incurred and expects these negotiations to be finalized in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Liquidity

AMG had a net debt position of $32.3 million as of September 30, 2018. Net debt increased by $22.0 million and total debt increased by $193.0 million from December 31, 2017.

Cash from operating activities increased by $6.3 million, or 38%, in the third quarter of 2018 compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily due to improved profitability in AMG Critical Materials and AMG Engineering.

Capital expenditures decreased to $14.0 million in the third quarter of 2018 compared to $23.2 million in the same period in 2017. Capital spending in the third quarter of 2018 included $5.6 million of maintenance capital. The largest expansion capital project was AMG’s lithium project in Brazil.

AMG had $519.5 million of total liquidity as of September 30, 2018, following the successful refinancing of AMG’s credit facilities during the first quarter of 2018.

Net Finance Costs

AMG’s third quarter 2018 net finance costs increased to $4.7 million compared to $2.3 million in the third quarter 2017, due to higher levels of gross debt and higher interest rates associated with AMG’s new, long term credit facility.

SG&A

AMG’s third quarter 2018 SG&A expenses increased by 5% to $35.6 million in the third quarter of 2017, primarily due to higher personnel costs, an increase in research and development expenses, and foreign exchange effects related to the strengthening of the euro relative to the US dollar.

Outlook

Based on improving market conditions across AMG’s Critical Materials portfolio, AMG expects full year 2018 EBITDA to exceed $200 million.

In 2019, AMG expects to continue its strong financial performance and improve profitability relative to 2018.

This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

This press release contains regulated information as defined in the Dutch Financial Markets Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht).

About AMG

AMG is a global critical materials company at the forefront of CO₂ reduction trends. AMG produces highly engineered specialty metals and mineral products and provides related vacuum furnace systems and services to the transportation, infrastructure, energy, and specialty metals & chemicals end markets.

AMG Critical Materials produces aluminum master alloys and powders, titanium alloys and coatings, ferrovanadium, natural graphite, chromium metal, antimony, lithium, tantalum, niobium and silicon metal. AMG Engineering designs, engineers, and produces advanced vacuum furnace systems and operates vacuum heat treatment facilities, primarily for the transportation and energy industries.

With approximately 3,300 employees, AMG operates globally with production facilities in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the Czech Republic, the United States, China, Mexico, Brazil, India, Sri Lanka and Mozambique, and has sales and customer service offices in Russia and Japan (www.amg-nv.com).  

For further information, please contact:
AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.         +1 610 293 5804
Steve Daniels
Senior Vice President
sdaniels@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.

AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. Announces Nomination of Supervisory Board Member

nov 1, 2018

Amsterdam, 1 November 2018 (Regulated Information) — AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. (“AMG”, EURONEXT AMSTERDAM: “AMG”) is pleased to announce that the AMG Supervisory Board has nominated Mr. Frank Löhner to serve as a new member of the Supervisory Board. Mr. Löhner’s appointment will be voted on during an Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders, details of which will be announced in due course.

Mr. Löhner has been nominated as a member of the Supervisory Board for a term of 4 years. If appointed, he will serve on AMG’s Audit & Risk Management Committee, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge gained during his time as a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Löhner currently serves as a Director of Montagu Private Equity GmbH in Frankfurt, a post he has held since 2013. Prior to that, Mr. Löhner was a Managing Director at SEB AG Frankfurt and at Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Limited.

Dr. Heinz Schimmelbusch, Chairman of the Management Board and CEO, said, “With his extensive background in financial markets and accounting, Mr. Löhner will be an invaluable addition to the Supervisory Board. His expertise in accounting is especially useful as a prospective member of the Audit & Risk Management Committee, and we look forward to him joining the AMG Board.”

This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

This press release contains regulated information as defined in the Dutch Financial Markets Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht).

About AMG

AMG is a global critical materials company at the forefront of CO₂ reduction trends. AMG produces highly engineered specialty metals and mineral products and provides related vacuum furnace systems and services to the transportation, infrastructure, energy, and specialty metals & chemicals end markets.

AMG Critical Materials produces aluminum master alloys and powders, titanium alloys and coatings, ferrovanadium, natural graphite, chromium metal, antimony, lithium, tantalum, niobium and silicon metal. AMG Engineering designs, engineers, and produces advanced vacuum furnace systems and operates vacuum heat treatment facilities, primarily for the transportation and energy industries.

With approximately 3,300 employees, AMG operates globally with production facilities in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the Czech Republic, the United States, China, Mexico, Brazil, India, Sri Lanka and Mozambique, and has sales and customer service offices in Russia and Japan (www.amg-nv.com).

For further information, please contact:
AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.         +1 610 293 5804
Steve Daniels
Senior Vice President
sdaniels@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.

AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. Completes Feasibility Study to Expand Spent Catalyst Processing Capacity

okt 16, 2018

Amsterdam, 16 October 2018 (Regulated Information) — AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. (“AMG”, EURONEXT AMSTERDAM: “AMG”) is pleased to announce that AMG Vanadium has completed the feasibility study to replicate its existing Cambridge, Ohio recycling facility. The AMG Management Board has approved the commencement of engineering work for the twin facility, and several potential locations within the operational vicinity of AMG Vanadium’s existing plant are under final consideration. Once completed, the new facility will more than double AMG Vanadium’s spent catalyst processing capability.

Subject to permitting, construction is expected to commence mid-2019 with a completion date in early 2021, resulting in over 35,000 tons of incremental spent catalyst processing capacity and over 6 million pounds of incremental vanadium production capacity.

The construction of a second recycling facility in North America replaces the previously announced 30% expansion of the existing AMG Vanadium facility in Cambridge, Ohio.

“The new facility will help AMG meet customer demand for management of spent catalyst, a listed hazardous waste, and provide proven sustainable recycling of the valuable metals contained in the waste. This expansion has been in the making for over a year and would not be possible without the AMG teams’ depth of experience, local and state governmental and agency support, and our stakeholders’ commitment to the industry,” said Hoy Frakes, President of AMG Vanadium LLC.

This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

This press release contains regulated information as defined in the Dutch Financial Markets Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht).

About AMG

AMG is a global critical materials company at the forefront of CO₂ reduction trends. AMG produces highly engineered specialty metals and mineral products and provides related vacuum furnace systems and services to the transportation, infrastructure, energy, and specialty metals & chemicals end markets.

AMG Critical Materials produces aluminum master alloys and powders, titanium alloys and coatings, ferrovanadium, natural graphite, chromium metal, antimony, lithium, tantalum, niobium and silicon metal. AMG Engineering designs, engineers, and produces advanced vacuum furnace systems and operates vacuum heat treatment facilities, primarily for the transportation and energy industries.

With approximately 3,300 employees, AMG operates globally with production facilities in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the Czech Republic, the United States, China, Mexico, Brazil, India, Sri Lanka and Mozambique, and has sales and customer service offices in Russia and Japan (www.amg-nv.com).

About AMG Vanadium LLC

Located in Cambridge, Ohio, AMG Vanadium specializes in the environmentally beneficial conversion of oil refinery and power plant waste products into ferrovanadium, nickel and molybdenum primarily used by global steel producers in automotive, energy transmission and infrastructure applications. By using materials that would otherwise be discarded as waste, AMG Vanadium creates environmental stewardship, energy conservation and resource recovery.

For further information, please contact:
AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.         +1 610 293 5804
Steve Daniels
Senior Vice President
sdaniels@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.

AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. Completes Multi-Year Agreement for Supply of Ferrovanadium

sep 18, 2018

Amsterdam, 18 September 2018 (Regulated Information) — AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. (“AMG”, EURONEXT AMSTERDAM: “AMG”) is pleased to announce that AMG Vanadium has entered into an agreement to supply 7 million pounds of Vanadium to a US steel producer over a 2-year period, beginning January 1^st, 2019.

Located in Cambridge, Ohio, AMG Vanadium specializes in the environmentally beneficial conversion of oil refinery and power plant waste products into ferrovanadium, nickel and molybdenum primarily used by global steel producers in automotive, energy transmission and infrastructure applications. By using materials that would otherwise be discarded as waste, AMG Vanadium encourages environmental stewardship, energy conservation and resource recovery.

This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

This press release contains regulated information as defined in the Dutch Financial Markets Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht).

About AMG

AMG is a global critical materials company at the forefront of CO₂ reduction trends. AMG produces highly engineered specialty metals and mineral products and provides related vacuum furnace systems and services to the transportation, infrastructure, energy, and specialty metals & chemicals end markets.

AMG Critical Materials produces aluminum master alloys and powders, titanium alloys and coatings, ferrovanadium, natural graphite, chromium metal, antimony, lithium, tantalum, niobium and silicon metal. AMG Engineering designs, engineers, and produces advanced vacuum furnace systems and operates vacuum heat treatment facilities, primarily for the transportation and energy industries.

With approximately 3,300 employees, AMG operates globally with production facilities in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the Czech Republic, the United States, China, Mexico, Brazil, India, Sri Lanka and Mozambique, and has sales and customer service offices in Russia and Japan (www.amg-nv.com).  

For further information, please contact:
AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.         +1 610 293 5804
Steve Daniels
Senior Vice President
sdaniels@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.

AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. Updates Guidance for 2018

sep 5, 2018

Amsterdam, 5 September 2018 (Regulated Information) — AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. (“AMG”, EURONEXT AMSTERDAM: “AMG”) is pleased to provide updated and improved guidance for 2018. Based on improving market conditions across AMG’s Critical Materials portfolio, AMG expects full year 2018  EBITDA to exceed $190 million.

This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

This press release contains regulated information as defined in the Dutch Financial Markets Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht).

About AMG

AMG is a global critical materials company at the forefront of CO₂ reduction trends. AMG produces highly engineered specialty metals and mineral products and provides related vacuum furnace systems and services to the transportation, infrastructure, energy, and specialty metals & chemicals end markets.

AMG Critical Materials produces aluminum master alloys and powders, titanium alloys and coatings, ferrovanadium, natural graphite, chromium metal, antimony, lithium, tantalum, niobium and silicon metal. AMG Engineering designs, engineers, and produces advanced vacuum furnace systems and operates vacuum heat treatment facilities, primarily for the transportation and energy industries.

With approximately 3,300 employees, AMG operates globally with production facilities in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the Czech Republic, the United States, China, Mexico, Brazil, India, Sri Lanka and Mozambique, and has sales and customer service offices in Russia and Japan (www.amg-nv.com).  

About General Lithium Corporation

General Lithium Corporation was founded in 2006 and is based in Haimen, China. General Lithium Corporation researches, develops, manufactures, and sells lithium products and lithium-battery materials. The company produces battery grade lithium carbonate products as well as technical grade lithium carbonate products for glass, ceramics, enamel and central air-conditioners.

For further information, please contact:
AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.         +1 610 293 5804
Steve Daniels
Senior Vice President
sdaniels@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.

AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. Reports Second Quarter 2018 Results

aug 2, 2018

Key Highlights

• Revenue increased by 26% to $329.3 million in the second quarter 2018 from $262.0 million in the second quarter 2017
• Gross profit was $79.2 million in the second quarter 2018, an increase of $24.8 million, or 46%, over the same period in 2017
• EBITDA⁽²⁾ was $50.7 million in the second quarter 2018, a 59% increase over the same period in 2017
• Profit before income tax increased by 77% to $36.7 million in the second quarter 2018 from $20.8 million in the second quarter 2017
• EPS, on a fully diluted basis, increased by 29% to $0.54 in the second quarter 2018 from $0.42 in the second quarter 2017
• Annualized return on capital employed increased to 30.6% in the second quarter 2018, as compared to 23.9% in the second quarter 2017

Amsterdam, 2 August 2018 (Regulated Information) — AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. (“AMG”, EURONEXT AMSTERDAM: “AMG”) reported second quarter 2018 revenue of $329.3 million, a 26% increase from $262.0 million in the second quarter of 2017. EBITDA for the second quarter of 2018 was $50.7 million, a 59% increase from $31.9 million in the second quarter of 2017.

Dr. Heinz Schimmelbusch, Chairman of the Management Board and CEO, said, “AMG achieved a sharp improvement in EBITDA during the quarter, driven primarily by improved pricing and higher sales volumes in AMG Critical Materials. Furthermore, relentless improvements in productivity have resulted in an upward trend, both in terms of profitability and return on capital employed.

AMG Critical Materials generated EBITDA of $45.3 million during the second quarter of 2018, an increase of 89% from $23.9 million in the second quarter of 2017, thanks to strong financial performances in vanadium, chrome metal and aluminum products.

AMG Engineering signed $86.2 million in new orders during the second quarter of 2018, representing a 1.39x book to bill ratio, driven by strong sales of turbine blade coating and heat treatment furnaces. Order backlog was $263.2 million as of June 30, 2018, an increase of 27% compared to December 31, 2017.

AMG Engineering achieved EBITDA of $5.5 million during the second quarter of 2018, a decrease of $2.5 million from $8.0 million in the second quarter of 2017 due to higher SG&A expenses and lower gross profit generated from the heat treatment services division. On a full year basis, AMG Engineering expects 2018 EBITDA to be in line with prior year.”

Key Figures

Note: 

1. EBIT is defined as earnings before interest and income taxes. EBIT excludes restructuring and equity-settled share-based payments and includes foreign currency gains or losses.
2. EBITDA is defined as EBIT adjusted for depreciation and amortization.

** Net income attributable to shareholders was impacted by an additional, non-cash tax expense of $6.0 million in the quarter, due to the significant movement of the Brazilian real against the US dollar.

Operational Review

AMG Critical Materials

AMG Critical Materials revenue in the second quarter increased by $64.6 million, or 32%, to $267.2 million, driven by improved vanadium, silicon metal, aluminum, graphite, chrome metal and tantalum prices, and higher sales volumes of vanadium, aluminum, tantalum and titanium products.

Gross profit in the second quarter increased by $24.6 million, or 65%, to $62.2 million. Strong financial performances in vanadium, chrome metal and aluminum were partially offset by lower gross profit in silicon metal. The strong financial performance was driven by higher vanadium sales volumes and prices, improved chrome metal product mix effects and strong sales volumes of aluminum products. The reduction in gross profit in silicon metal was driven by lower volumes, as a result of unplanned furnace maintenance during the quarter, as well as an accrual for the repayment of a subsidy granted by the German government in 2012-13.

SG&A expenses in the second quarter of 2018 increased by $3.4 million, or 16%, compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily due to foreign exchange effects related to the strengthening of the euro relative to the US dollar as well as higher personnel costs.

Second quarter 2018 EBITDA margin increased to 17%, compared to 12% in the second quarter of 2017, due to the improvement in gross profit as noted above.

AMG Engineering

AMG Engineering signed $86.2 million in new orders during the second quarter 2018, representing a 1.39x book to bill ratio. Order backlog was $263.2 million as of June 30, 2018, an increase of 3% from March 31, 2018. This was driven by strong sales of turbine blade coating and heat treatment furnaces.

AMG Engineering’s second quarter 2018 revenue increased $2.7 million, or 5%, to $62.1 million. Higher revenue generated from the sale of vacuum furnaces was partially offset by lower revenue in the heat treatment services division, as automotive customers transition to new engine programs. Following the completion of this transition process, heat treatment service revenues are expected to return to normal levels in early 2019.

Second quarter 2018 gross profit increased by $0.2 million, or 1%, to $17.0 million and gross margin decreased slightly to 27% from 28% in the second quarter of 2017. The reduction in gross margin was driven by lower gross profit in the heat treatment services division due to lower sales volumes and consequently lower utilization rates.

SG&A expenses increased by $1.8 million, or 16%, compared to the prior year primarily due to foreign exchange effects related to the strengthening of the euro relative to the US dollar and higher personnel costs.

AMG Engineering is in the process of expanding its workforce in response to the increased level of order backlog, driven primarily by strong demand from the aerospace market.

EBITDA decreased by $2.5 million to $5.5 million in the second quarter of 2018 due to higher SG&A expenses, increased currency impacts, and lower gross profit generated from the heat treatment services division.

Financial Review

Tax

AMG recorded an income tax expense of $19.5 million in the second quarter of 2018 as compared to a tax expense of $7.7 million in the same period in 2017, driven by higher levels of profitability, the full recognition of AMG’s US operating loss carryforwards in 2017, and the revaluation of AMG’s Brazilian tax balances. Due to the significant movement of the Brazilian real against the US dollar, AMG incurred an additional non-cash tax expense of $6.0 million in the quarter.

AMG continues to benefit from net operating loss carry forward balances, primarily in the United States, to offset taxes payable. As a result, despite very high pre-tax profitability, AMG paid taxes of $7.0 million in the second quarter of 2018 as compared to tax payments of $3.4 million in the same period in 2017. For the second quarter of 2018, AMG’s effective cash tax rate rose to 19% in comparison to 16% for the same period in the prior year.

Due to the volatile nature of the company’s Brazilian deferred tax balances, AMG believes that the cash tax rate is a more meaningful metric.

Non-Recurring Items

AMG’s second quarter 2018 gross profit of $79.2 million includes non-recurring items, which are not included in the calculation of EBITDA.

A summary of non-recurring items included in gross profit in the second quarters of 2018 and 2017 are below:

Non-recurring items included in gross profit

  
Gross profit before non-recurring items by reporting segment

Liquidity

AMG had a net debt position of $34.8 million as of June 30, 2018. Net debt increased by $24.5 million and total debt increased by $188.2 million from December 31, 2017.

On a year to date basis, cash from operating activities decreased by $4.9 million, or 17%, compared to the same period in the prior year due to higher working capital balances driven by increased metals prices, partially offset by improved profitability in AMG Critical Materials.

Capital expenditures decreased slightly to $18.4 million in the second quarter of 2018 compared to $18.6 million in the same period in 2017. Capital spending in the second quarter of 2018 included $6.8 million of maintenance capital. The largest expansion capital project was AMG’s lithium project in Brazil.

AMG had $512.1 million of total liquidity as of June 30, 2018, following the successful refinancing of AMG’s credit facilities during the first quarter of 2018.

Net Finance Costs

AMG’s second quarter 2018 net finance costs increased to $5.3 million compared to $1.8 million in the second quarter 2017, due to higher levels of gross debt and higher interest rates associated with AMG’s new, long term credit facility.

SG&A

AMG’s second quarter 2018 SG&A expenses were $37.2 million compared to $32.0 million in the second quarter of 2017, primarily due to foreign exchange effects related to the strengthening of the euro relative to the US dollar and higher personnel costs.

Outlook

Encouraged by the financial performance in the first 6 months of 2018, AMG expects full year 2018 EBITDA to improve by between 40%-50% compared to the prior year.

This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

This press release contains regulated information as defined in the Dutch Financial Markets Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht).

About AMG

AMG is a global critical materials company at the forefront of CO₂ reduction trends. AMG produces highly engineered specialty metals and mineral products and provides related vacuum furnace systems and services to the transportation, infrastructure, energy, and specialty metals & chemicals end markets.

AMG Critical Materials produces aluminum master alloys and powders, titanium alloys and coatings, ferrovanadium, natural graphite, chromium metal, antimony, lithium, tantalum, niobium and silicon metal. AMG Engineering designs, engineers, and produces advanced vacuum furnace systems and operates vacuum heat treatment facilities, primarily for the transportation and energy industries.

With approximately 3,300 employees, AMG operates globally with production facilities in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the Czech Republic, the United States, China, Mexico, Brazil, India, Sri Lanka and Mozambique, and has sales and customer service offices in Russia and Japan (www.amg-nv.com).  

For further information, please contact:
AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.         +1 610 293 5804
Steve Daniels
Senior Vice President
sdaniels@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.

AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. Announces New Dividend Policy and 2018 Interim Dividend

aug 2, 2018

Amsterdam, 2 August 2018 (Regulated Information) — AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. (“AMG”, EURONEXT AMSTERDAM: “AMG”) is pleased to announce an increase in interim dividend to €0.20 per ordinary share from €0.14 per ordinary share in the prior year.

The interim dividend in respect of the period from 1 January 2018 to 30 June 2018 of €0.20 per ordinary share, is payable on or around 14 August 2018, to shareholders of record on 7 August 2018. The ex-dividend date will be 6 August 2018. Dutch withholding tax will be deducted from the dividend at a rate of 15%.

Furthermore, effective 2 August 2018, AMG’s Supervisory Board has approved a change in dividend policy which targets an annual dividend payout of between 20-40% of net income attributable to shareholders. In line with Dutch corporate governance best practices, the change will be discussed during AMG’s 2019 Annual General Meeting.

The actual dividend payment will be determined on an annual basis and will be dependent on factors such as AMG’s results of operation, financial position, financing requirements, organic and acquisitive growth opportunities.

Dr. Heinz Schimmelbusch, AMG’s Chairman of the Management Board and CEO stated, “In light of AMG’s strong balance sheet position and strong cashflow generation, AMG’s Supervisory Board has resolved to formalize our dividend policy, to ensure dividend stability and growth over the long-term.”

This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

This press release contains regulated information as defined in the Dutch Financial Markets Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht).

About AMG

AMG is a global critical materials company at the forefront of CO₂ reduction trends. AMG produces highly engineered specialty metals and mineral products and provides related vacuum furnace systems and services to the transportation, infrastructure, energy, and specialty metals & chemicals end markets.

AMG Critical Materials produces aluminum master alloys and powders, titanium alloys and coatings, ferrovanadium, natural graphite, chromium metal, antimony, lithium, tantalum, niobium and silicon metal. AMG Engineering designs, engineers, and produces advanced vacuum furnace systems and operates vacuum heat treatment facilities, primarily for the transportation and energy industries.

With approximately 3,300 employees, AMG operates globally with production facilities in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the Czech Republic, the United States, China, Mexico, Brazil, India, Sri Lanka and Mozambique, and has sales and customer service offices in Russia and Japan (www.amg-nv.com).  

For further information, please contact:
AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.         +1 610 293 5804
Steve Daniels
Senior Vice President
sdaniels@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.

AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. Announces Changes to the Composition of its Supervisory Board

aug 2, 2018

Amsterdam, 2 August 2018 (Regulated Information) — AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. (“AMG”, EURONEXT AMSTERDAM: “AMG”) hereby announces that the Supervisory Board has accepted the request of Mrs. Suzanne Folsom to resign as member of the Supervisory Board, effective 2 August 2018, due to various other professional commitments.

The Supervisory Board has started the process to identify an appropriate replacement for Mrs. Folsom which it intends to announce in due course. In the interim, Dr. Donatella Ceccarelli will replace Mrs. Folsom as member of AMG’s Audit & Risk Management Committee.

Mr. Jack Messman, Chairman of AMG’s Supervisory Board, stated, “As a well-recognized and respected corporate governance expert, Mrs. Folsom’s experience, perspective and contribution have been most beneficial to the Supervisory Board and the Company. In addition, Mrs. Folsom’s extensive knowledge of the US legal and regulatory environment has proved invaluable during her tenure. The Supervisory Board regrets but accepts her decision and thanks Mrs. Folsom for her invaluable insights and wishes her well in her future endeavors.

This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

This press release contains regulated information as defined in the Dutch Financial Markets Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht).

About AMG

AMG is a global critical materials company at the forefront of CO₂ reduction trends. AMG produces highly engineered specialty metals and mineral products and provides related vacuum furnace systems and services to the transportation, infrastructure, energy, and specialty metals & chemicals end markets.

AMG Critical Materials produces aluminum master alloys and powders, titanium alloys and coatings, ferrovanadium, natural graphite, chromium metal, antimony, lithium, tantalum, niobium and silicon metal. AMG Engineering designs, engineers, and produces advanced vacuum furnace systems and operates vacuum heat treatment facilities, primarily for the transportation and energy industries.

With approximately 3,300 employees, AMG operates globally with production facilities in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the Czech Republic, the United States, China, Mexico, Brazil, India, Sri Lanka and Mozambique, and has sales and customer service offices in Russia and Japan (www.amg-nv.com).  

For further information, please contact:
AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.         +1 610 293 5804
Steve Daniels
Senior Vice President
sdaniels@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.

AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. Provides Information Regarding the Brazil Strike Resolution

jun 1, 2018

Amsterdam, 1 June 2018 (Regulated Information) — AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. (“AMG”, EURONEXT AMSTERDAM: “AMG”) is pleased to announce that operations in Brazil have normalized, following the slight disruption to mining and processing activities due to the national truckers strike. To date, there has been no material financial impact resulting from this disruption.

This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

This press release contains regulated information as defined in the Dutch Financial Markets Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht).

About AMG

AMG is a global critical materials company at the forefront of CO₂ reduction trends. AMG produces highly engineered specialty metals and mineral products and provides related vacuum furnace systems and services to the transportation, infrastructure, energy, and specialty metals & chemicals end markets.

AMG Critical Materials produces aluminum master alloys and powders, titanium alloys and coatings, ferrovanadium, natural graphite, chromium metal, antimony, lithium, tantalum, niobium and silicon metal. AMG Engineering designs, engineers, and produces advanced vacuum furnace systems and operates vacuum heat treatment facilities, primarily for the transportation and energy industries.

With approximately 3,300 employees, AMG operates globally with production facilities in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the Czech Republic, the United States, China, Mexico, Brazil, India, Sri Lanka and Mozambique, and has sales and customer service offices in Russia and Japan (www.amg-nv.com).  

For further information, please contact:
AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.         +1 610 293 5804
Steve Daniels
Senior Vice President
sdaniels@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.

AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. Provides Information Regarding the National Truckers Strike in Brazil

mei 29, 2018

Amsterdam, 29 May 2018 (Regulated Information) — AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. (“AMG”, EURONEXT AMSTERDAM: “AMG”) has temporarily shut down certain tantalum mining and processing operations in Brazil as a result of the ongoing national truckers strike.

At this stage AMG does not expect a material financial impact as a result of the strike, subject, however, to the length of the labor dispute. Furthermore, AMG does not expect the industrial action to have a material impact on the ongoing commissioning of AMG Mineracao’s first lithium concentrate processing plant at the Mibra Mine in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

AMG will provide further updates in due course.

This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

This press release contains regulated information as defined in the Dutch Financial Markets Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht).

About AMG

AMG is a global critical materials company at the forefront of CO₂ reduction trends. AMG produces highly engineered specialty metals and mineral products and provides related vacuum furnace systems and services to the transportation, infrastructure, energy, and specialty metals & chemicals end markets.

AMG Critical Materials produces aluminum master alloys and powders, titanium alloys and coatings, ferrovanadium, natural graphite, chromium metal, antimony, lithium, tantalum, niobium and silicon metal. AMG Engineering designs, engineers, and produces advanced vacuum furnace systems and operates vacuum heat treatment facilities, primarily for the transportation and energy industries.

With approximately 3,300 employees, AMG operates globally with production facilities in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the Czech Republic, the United States, China, Mexico, Brazil, India, Sri Lanka and Mozambique, and has sales and customer service offices in Russia and Japan (www.amg-nv.com).  

For further information, please contact:
AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.         +1 610 293 5804
Steve Daniels
Senior Vice President
sdaniels@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.