Attached files

file filename
8-K - Rand Logistics, Inc.e613768_8k-rand.htm
 
Rand Logistics, Inc.
 
RAND LOGISTICS REPORTS FISCAL YEAR 2015 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Highlights:
•  
Adjusted EBITDA increased 3.5% to $33.7 million, up 6.1% on a constant currency basis
•  
Reduction in net debt of $4.9 million year-over-year
•  
2015 sailing season off to a solid start

New York, NY – June 10, 2015 - Rand Logistics, Inc. (NASDAQ: RLOG) (“Rand”) today announced its financial results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.  Despite the impact of weather related delays at the beginning and end of the 2014 sailing season, Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2015 increased year-over-year.  Improvements in controllable operational measurements as well as our commodity mix enabled the Company to partially offset the delays that were experienced as a result of the weather.

Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015 Versus
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2014 Financial Results
Please note that full year results include the Company’s fiscal fourth quarter during which the Company’s fleet operates on a limited basis due to the normal closing schedule of the locks system and winter weather conditions on the Great Lakes.  In addition, repair and maintenance costs are incurred in the fiscal fourth quarter to prepare the fleet for the upcoming sailing season. As a result, fiscal fourth quarter operating results are significantly lower than the results for the first three quarters of our fiscal year.

·  
Freight and other related revenue (which excludes fuel and other surcharges) increased by 0.8% to $129.1 million from $128.1 million.  On a constant currency basis, freight and other related revenue increased by 4.3% or $5.5 million.  This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in tonnage carried, price increases, improvements in commodity mix and water levels and a higher percentage of time in revenue loaded condition, offset by a weaker Canadian dollar.
·  
Total Sailing Days were 4,106 compared to 4,166 and a theoretical maximum of 4,125.  The year-over-year decline was primarily due to adverse weather conditions on the Great Lakes in April 2014 that caused the loss of 162 Sailing Days.  Delay Days which comprise lost time due to inclement weather, dock delays, traffic congestion and mechanical issues declined a further 6.2% to 10.6% of Sailing Days compared to 11.3% of Sailing Days.
·  
Freight and related revenue per Sailing Day increased by 2.2% to $31,443 compared to $30,760.  On a constant currency basis, freight and related revenue per Sailing Day increased 5.8% or $1,784.
·  
Total revenue decreased by 1.8% to $153.0 million from $155.8 million.
·  
Vessel operating expenses decreased by 4.8% to $97.8 million compared to $102.8 million.  This decrease was primarily due to improvements in certain of our operating metrics, fewer Sailing Days, reduced fuel prices and the weaker Canadian dollar, partially offset by increased costs due to inefficient operations at the start of the 2014 sailing season.  Vessel operating expenses per Sailing Day declined by 3.5%, or $853, to $23,824 from $24,677.
·  
Adjusted EBITDA increased by 3.5%, or $1.1 million, to $33.7 million from $32.6 million.  On a constant currency basis, this measure increased by 6.1% or $2.0 million.  A reconciliation of operating income to Adjusted EBITDA is attached to this release.
·  
Net loss per share on a fully diluted basis was $0.59 compared to $0.44 in the year ago period.
 
 
 

 
 
Rand Logistics Fiscal 2015 Financial Results
P a g e | 2
 
Management Comments

“We were generally pleased with our operating performance in fiscal 2015, which was achieved despite severe weather conditions in both April 2014 and January 2015 and a 7.3% decline in the average value of the Canadian dollar, which negatively impacted Adjusted EBITDA by approximately $0.9 million,” commented Ed Levy, President and CEO of Rand.  “We were able to offset these factors that were beyond our control by improving both the operating reliability of our fleet and the mix of commodities that we carried.  We believe that we have the opportunity to realize further improvements in certain of our key operating metrics in the year ahead.”

“Because of weather and ice conditions on the Great Lakes, we did not operate any of our vessels in March 2015 and, while conditions at the start of the 2015 sailing season were not optimal, they were much improved in comparison to 2014.  For the month of April 2015 we sailed for 318 days compared to 223 days in April 2014.  We are also pleased with our preliminary May revenues, having sailed for 459 Sailing Days in May, equal to 98.7% of our theoretical maximum.  The current demand environment is generally good with organic growth across certain of the commodities that we carry, supplementing new business that we have been able to capture over the last several years.  This is creating efficient trade patterns and is maximizing the percentage of time that our vessels are in revenue generating condition.”

Ed Levy concluded, “Looking ahead, our recently completed refinancing will reduce our interest expense by approximately $1.5 million in our current fiscal year and provide us with cash flow flexibility to further invest in our business.  We are anticipating the introduction of our newest vessel in the fourth calendar quarter of 2015, which will allow for future organic growth and will be accretive to our profitability and earnings per share.  We have also recently added to our management team, with a new Chief Financial Officer and new Chief Human Resources Officer over the last three months.  We are confident that both will be instrumental in driving improved return on invested capital, which is management’s primary financial objective.”

Conference Call

Management will host a conference call to discuss these results at 8:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, June 11, 2015.  Interested parties may participate in the conference call by dialing 888-572-7025 (719-325-2420 for international callers), and using Conference ID# 8523828.  The conference call will be webcast simultaneously on the Rand Logistics, Inc. website at www.randlogisticsinc.com/presentations.html.

A replay of the conference call will be available at www.randlogisticsinc.com/presentations.html and will be archived for 12 months.  A replay will also be available until August 11, 2015 by dialing 877-870-5176 (858-384-5517 for international callers), and using Conference ID# 8523828.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures/Financial Tables
This press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures.  Reconciliations of these and other non-GAAP measures to the comparable GAAP measures are included in the attached financial tables.

About Rand Logistics
Rand Logistics, Inc. is a leading provider of bulk freight shipping services throughout the Great Lakes region. Through its subsidiaries, the Company operates a fleet of four conventional bulk carriers and eleven self-unloading bulk carriers including three tug/barge units. The Company is the only carrier able to offer significant domestic port-to-port services in both Canada and the U.S. on the Great Lakes. The Company's vessels operate under the U.S. Jones Act – which reserves domestic waterborne commerce to vessels that are U.S. owned, built and crewed, – and the Canada Coasting Trade Act – which reserves domestic waterborne commerce to Canadian registered and crewed vessels that operate between Canadian ports.
 
 
 

 
 
Rand Logistics Fiscal 2015 Financial Results
P a g e | 3
 
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. For all forward-looking statements, we claim the protection of the Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which cannot be predicted with accuracy or are otherwise beyond our control and some of which might not even be anticipated.  Future events and actual results, affecting our strategic plan as well as our financial position, results of operations and cash flows, could differ materially from those described in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements.  Important factors that contribute to such risks include, but are not limited to, the effect of an economic downturn in certain of our markets; the weather conditions on the Great Lakes; and our ability to maintain and replace our vessels as they age.
 
For a more detailed description of these uncertainties and other factors, please see the "Risk Factors" section in Rand's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 11, 2015.
 
CONTACT:
Rand Logistics, Inc.    
Ed Levy, President and CEO
(212) 863-9405                                                                 
-OR-  
INVESTOR RELATIONS COUNSEL:
Alison Ziegler
 (212) 554-5469
alison@cameronassoc.com
 
--financial tables to follow--
 
 
 

 
 
Rand Logistics Fiscal 2015 Financial Results
P a g e | 4
 
RAND LOGISTICS, INC.
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
(U.S. Dollars 000's except for Shares and Per Share data)
 
       
Year ended
   
Year ended
   
Year ended
 
       
March 31, 2015
   
March 31, 2014
   
March 31, 2013
 
REVENUE
                     
 
Freight and related revenue
    $ 129,107     $ 128,145     $ 117,797  
 
Fuel and other surcharges
      22,110       26,475       37,404  
 
Outside voyage charter revenue
    1,743       1,184       1,437  
TOTAL REVENUE
      152,960       155,804       156,638  
                             
EXPENSES
                           
 
Outside voyage charter fees
      1,711       1,086       1,447  
 
Vessel operating expenses
      97,821       102,804       104,896  
 
Repairs and maintenance
      6,463       7,191       8,350  
 
General and administrative
      13,275       12,159       13,477  
 
Depreciation
      18,292       16,994       15,373  
 
Amortization of drydock costs
    3,343       3,290       3,497  
 
Amortization of intangibles
      1,198       1,263       1,310  
 
Loss on foreign exchange
      873       68       186  
 
Loss on termination of vessel lease
    2,660              
          145,636       144,855       148,536  
OPERATING INCOME
      7,324       10,949       8,102  
                             
OTHER (INCOME) AND EXPENSES
                         
 
Interest expense
      14,007       9,373       10,171  
 
Interest income
      (18 )     (7 )     (9 )
 
Gain on interest rate swap contracts
                (1,087 )
 
Loss on extinguishment of debt
    2,331       1,267       3,339  
          16,320       10,633       12,414  
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    (8,996 )     316       (4,312 )
PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAXES                        
 
Current
      7       117       (134 )
 
Deferred
      417       4,706       (359 )
          424       4,823       (493 )
NET LOSS BEFORE PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS     (9,420 )     (4,507 )     (3,819 )
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
      1,168       3,429       3,173  
NET LOSS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS $     (10,588 )   $ (7,936 )   $ (6,992 )
                             
Net loss per share basic and diluted
    $ (0.59 )   $ (0.44 )   $ (0.39 )
Weighted average shares basic and diluted
    17,847,939       17,912,647       17,740,372  
 
 
 

 
 
Rand Logistics Fiscal 2015 Financial Results
P a g e | 5
 
RAND LOGISTICS, INC.
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
(U.S. Dollars 000’s except for Shares and Per Share data)
 
   
March 31, 2015
   
March 31, 2014
 
ASSETS
           
CURRENT
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 3,298     $ 2,602  
Accounts receivable, net
    2,764       2,629  
Income taxes receivable
    91       96  
Loan to employee
          250  
Prepaid expenses andothercurrent assets
    5,957       7,344  
Deferred income taxes
    347       121  
Total current assets
    12,457       13,042  
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
    206,276       215,487  
OTHER ASSETS
    569       730  
DEFERRED DRYDOCK COSTS, NET
    7,590       9,321  
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
    13,205       16,233  
GOODWILL
    10,193       10,193  
Total assets
  $ 250,290     $ 265,006  
LIABILITIES
               
CURRENT
               
Accounts payable
  $ 15,350     $ 11,792  
Accrued liabilities
    7,628       7,956  
Other current liability
    166        
Income taxes payable
          100  
Deferred income taxes
          35  
Current portion of deferred payment liability
    536       499  
Current portion of long-termdebt
          787  
Total current liabilities
    23,680       21,169  
LONG TERM PORTION OF DEFERRED PAYMENTLIABILITY
    564       1,100  
LONG TERM DEBT, NET OF CURRENT PORTION
    101,213       104,103  
SUBORDINATED DEBT
    72,500       72,500  
OTHER LIABILITIES
    479       253  
DEFERRED INCOMETAXES
    5,607       5,134  
   
Total liabilities
    204,043       204,259  
COMMITMENTS ANDCONTINGENCIES
               
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Preferredstock, $.0001par value,
               
Authorized1,000,000shares, Issuedand outstanding 300,000
               
shares
    14,900       14,900  
Common stock, $.0001par value,
               
18,035,427shares at March31, 2015and17,933,859shares at
               
March 31, 2014
    1       1  
Additional paid-in capital
    90,130       89,486  
Accumulated deficit
    (50,972 )     (40,277 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    (7,812 )     (3,363 )
Total stockholders’ equity
    46,247       60,747  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 250,290     $ 265,006  
 
 
 

 

Rand Logistics Fiscal 2015 Financial Results
P a g e | 6
 
RANDLOGISTICS, INC.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures / Financial Tables
(U.S. Dollars 000’s except per day statistics)
 
   
FY2015 Actual
FY2014 Actual
Increase/(Decrease)
FX Impact (Unfavorable)/
Favorable
Constant Currency Increase/(Decrease)
       
Change $
Change %
Change $
Change $
Change %
                 
Average Fx Rate
 
     0.880
      0.950
         
                 
Sailing Days
 
            4,106
              4,166
                     (60)
-1.4%
     
                 
Financial Highlights (US$ '000s)
               
Freight and Related Revenue
 
$129,107
$128,145
$962
0.8%
($4,518)
$5,480
4.3%
                 
Fuel and Other Surcharges
 
$22,110
$26,475
($4,365)
-16.5%
($1,020)
($3,345)
-12.6%
                 
Total Revenue
 
$152,960
$155,804
($2,844)
-1.8%
($5,710)
$2,866
1.8%
                 
Vessel Operating Expenses
 
$97,821
$102,804
($4,983)
-4.8%
($3,707)
($1,276)
-1.2%
                 
Vessel Margin
 
$46,933
$44,625
$2,308
5.2%
($1,404)
$3,712
8.3%
                 
General & Admin Expense
 
$13,275
$12,159
$1,116
9.2%
($556)
$1,672
13.8%
                 
Loss on foreign exchange
 
$873
$68
$805
NM
($42)
$847
NM
                 
Adjusted EBITDA
 
$33,690
$32,564
$1,126
3.5%
($848)
$1,974
6.1%
                 
Per Day Statistics
               
Marine Freight Revenue/Day
 
$31,443
$30,760
$683
2.2%
($1,101)
$1,784
5.8%
                 
Total Revenue/Day
 
$37,253
$37,399
($146)
-0.4%
($1,391)
$1,245
3.3%
                 
Vessel Operating Expenses/Day
 
$23,824
$24,677
($853)
-3.5%
($902)
$49
0.2%
                 
Vessel Margin/Day
 
$11,430
$10,712
$718
6.7%
($342)
$1,060
9.9%
                 
                 
Non-GAAP Reconciliation (US$ '000s)
               
                 
Vessel margin
 
$46,933
$44,625
         
Outside Voyage Charter (net)
 
$32
$98
         
General & Admin Expense
 
$13,275
$12,159
         
                 
Adjusted EBITDA
 
$33,690
$32,564
         
Loss on foreign exchange
 
$873
$68
         
Loss on termination of vessel lease
 
$2,660
$0
         
Depreciation, Amortization of Drydock & Intangibles
 
$22,833
$21,547
         
Operating Income
 
$7,324
$10,949
         
 
Note:
 
1. Theconstant currency information presented is calculatedbytranslating current period results using prior period foreign currency exchangerates.
 
2.Our results for FY2015reflect the effects ofthe harshest winterexperiencedon the Great Lakes in approximatelythirtyyears and theresultant latestart of the 2014sailing season. Adjusted
 
EBITDA was $3.0million lower inApril 2014than inApril 2013.
 
3.NM- Not Meaningful
 
###