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8-K - 8-K - ASTRONICS CORPa8k123117earningsrelease.htm
                                                        
Exhibit 99.1

atrocorp_image1a06.jpg
NEWS
RELEASE

Astronics Corporation130 Commerce WayEast Aurora, NY14052-2164

For more information, contact:
 
 
 
Company:
Investor Relations:
David C. Burney, Chief Financial Officer
Deborah K. Pawlowski, Kei Advisors LLC
Phone: (716) 805-1599, ext. 159
Phone: (716) 843-3908
Email: david.burney@astronics.com
Email: dpawlowski@keiadvisors.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    
Astronics Corporation Reports 2017 Fourth Quarter
and Full Year Financial Results
EAST AURORA, NY, February 26, 2018Astronics Corporation (NASDAQ: ATRO), a leading provider of advanced technologies for the global aerospace, defense and semiconductor industries, today reported financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017. Results include the acquisitions of Custom Control Concepts (“CCC”) on April 3, 2017 and Telefonix on December 1, 2017 (collectively, the "Acquired Businesses").
 
Three Months Ended
 
Year Ended
 
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
% Change
 
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
% Change
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales
$
171,318

$
154,068

11.2
 %
 
$
624,464

$
633,123

(1.4
)%
Gross profit
$
32,153

$
36,486

(11.9
)%
 
$
137,113

$
159,467

(14.0
)%
Gross margin
18.8
 %
23.7
%


 
22.0
%
25.2
%


Impairment loss
$
16,237




 
$
16,237


 
SG&A
$
24,012

$
21,082

13.9
 %
 
$
90,516

$
86,328

4.9
 %
SG&A percent of sales
14.0
 %
13.7
%


 
14.5
%
13.6
%


Income (Loss) from Operations
$
(8,096
)
$
15,404

(152.6
)%
 
$
30,360

$
73,139

(58.5
)%
Operating margin %
(4.7
)%
10.0
%


 
4.9
%
11.6
%


Net (Loss) Income
$
(5,653
)
$
9,885

(157.2
)%
 
$
19,679

$
48,424

(59.4
)%
Net Income %
(3.3
)%
6.4
%
 
 
3.2
%
7.6
%
 

Peter J. Gundermann, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "There were many moving parts in our fourth quarter. Quarterly revenue was our highest of the year, up 13% over the average of the first three quarters. Had we not been challenged by a combination of program and award delays, our top line would have been substantially stronger. These delays had the effect of sliding revenue from 2017 into 2018. And, as previously announced, we booked an impairment charge of $16.2 million associated with goodwill from the Armstrong Aerospace acquisition we made three years ago."

-MORE-

Astronics Corporation Reports 2017 Fourth Quarter Financial Results
February 26, 2018
Page 2


He continued, “The best news, however, was bookings of $237 million, our highest level ever, leaving us at year-end with a backlog of $394 million, another record. This sets us up very well for 2018."
Consolidated Review
Fourth Quarter 2017 Results
Consolidated sales were up $17.2 million, or 11%, from the same period last year. Organic revenue was $162.8 million, up 6% compared with the same prior year period. The 2017 fourth quarter included 
$8.5 million in sales from Acquired Businesses. Aerospace segment sales of $139.6 million were up
$11.5 million and Test Systems segment sales of $31.8 million were up $5.7 million.
Consolidated gross margin was 18.8% in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared with 23.7% in the fourth quarter of 2016. Consolidated gross margin was negatively affected by the CCC acquisition having a significantly lower margin profile at this point in its business cycle compared with the organic business. Organic Engineering & Development ("E&D") costs were $22.5 million in the quarter, compared with $22.7 million in last year’s fourth quarter. As a percent of sales, organic E&D costs were 13.8% and 14.7% in the fourth quarters of 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Acquired Businesses incurred E&D costs of $2.9 million in the fourth quarter.
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were $24.0 million, or 14.0% of sales, in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared with $21.1 million, or 13.7% of sales, in the same period last year. The increase was due primarily to the incremental SG&A costs of the Acquired Businesses which totaled
$2.4 million, including $1.4 million of intangible asset amortization expense.
As previously announced, the Company recorded an impairment charge of approximately $16.2 million associated to the Armstrong Aerospace reporting unit in the fourth quarter. The impairment loss was incurred in the Aerospace segment.
The effective tax rate for the quarter was 41.8%, compared with 30.9% in the fourth quarter of 2016. The 2017 fourth quarter tax rate was unfavorably impacted by the $1.3 million estimated transition tax on the deemed repatriation of foreign earnings resulting from the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("the Act"), enacted in December 2017.  This unfavorable impact was offset by the impact of the U.S. federal R&D tax credit, a reduction in foreign taxes due to a change in foreign tax rates enacted in December 2017, and the revaluation of the deferred tax balances as a result of a reduction in the Federal tax rate from the Act ($0.9 million).

2017 Results
Consolidated sales for 2017 decreased by $8.7 million, or 1.4%, to $624.5 million. Aerospace segment sales of $534.6 million were consistent with 2016 sales of $534.0 million, while Test Systems segment sales were down 9.3% to $89.9 million. Sales from the Acquired Businesses contributed $15.5 million for 2017.
Consolidated gross margin was 22.0% in 2017 compared with 25.2% in 2016. Lower consolidated gross margin was the result of lower sales volume. E&D costs increased 6.8% to $95.0 million in 2017 primarily due to the Acquired Businesses, compared with $88.9 million in 2016. The incremental E&D costs of Acquired Businesses totaled $5.7 million. As a percent of sales, E&D was 15.2% and 14.0% in 2017 and 2016, respectively.

SG&A expenses increased $4.2 million in 2017 compared with 2016. As a percent of sales, SG&A expenses were 14.5% and 13.6% for 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase was due primarily to the incremental SG&A costs of the Acquired Businesses which added $4.6 million, including $1.8 million of intangible asset amortization expense.
The effective tax rate for 2017 was 21.3%, compared with 29.6% in 2016. The 2017 tax rate was favorably impacted by the U.S. federal R&D tax credit, a reduction in foreign taxes due to a change in

-MORE-

Astronics Corporation Reports 2017 Fourth Quarter Financial Results
February 26, 2018
Page 3


foreign tax rates enacted in December 2017, and the revaluation of the deferred tax balances as a result of the Act ($0.9 million).  These favorable impacts were offset by the $1.3 million estimated transition tax on the deemed repatriation of foreign earnings resulting from the Act.
Mr. Gundermann commented, "2017 was certainly a challenging year for our company, with organic revenue flat or down slightly in both of our segments compared with 2016.  But during this two-year period, our employee headcount increased by approximately 160 people, in addition to another 300 by acquisition in December. This put considerable pressure on our margins.  Nevertheless, we are building a company designed to achieve bigger and better things, and we believe our efforts are bearing fruit.  The best evidence for this is our consolidated bookings in 2017 of $729 million, far in excess of our
$624 million in revenue."
Aerospace Segment Review (refer to sales by market and segment data in accompanying tables)
Aerospace Fourth Quarter 2017 Results
Aerospace segment sales increased by $11.5 million, or 9.0%, when compared with the prior year’s fourth quarter to $139.6 million. The Acquired Businesses contributed $8.5 million in sales in the 2017 fourth quarter.
Electrical Power & Motion sales decreased $4.0 million, or 5.7%, due to lower sales of cabin power products due to a combination of lower volume and pricing. Lighting & Safety sales increased by
$1.0 million primarily due to higher lighting sales partially offset by lower sales of passenger service units. Avionics sales were up $12.5 million as a result of $2.4 million increase in antennae and other avionics sales combined with the Acquired Businesses which contributed $8.0 million to sales in this product line. Structures sales increased by $0.6 million and Systems Certification sales increased by $1.0 million on higher project activity.
Aerospace segment operating loss for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $7.9 million compared with an operating profit of $16.9 million, or 13.2% of sales, in the same period last year. The Aerospace operating profit was negatively impacted by a $16.2 million impairment loss relating to Armstrong Aerospace and a $5.7 million operating loss from the CCC acquisition. Gross margin was negatively affected by the CCC acquisition having a significantly lower margin profile at this point in its business cycle compared with the organic business. Organic Aerospace E&D costs were $19.9 million compared with $20.2 million in the same period last year. The Acquired Businesses incurred E&D costs of
$2.9 million.
Aerospace bookings in the fourth quarter of 2017 were $179.3 million, for a book-to-bill ratio of 1.3:1 for the quarter. Backlog was $298.6 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2017.
Aerospace 2017 Results
Aerospace segment sales increased by $0.6 million, or 0.1%, to $534.6 million, when compared with the prior year primarily due to the addition of the Acquired Businesses which added $15.5 million.
Electrical Power & Motion sales decreased $24.2 million, or 8.4%, for similar reasons as discussed in the quarter. Systems Certifications sales decreased $2.2 million and other products decreased $1.0 million from lower project activity earlier in the year. These declines were offset by increased Avionics sales, up $21.2 million of which $15.0 million was from the Acquired Businesses, and $5.3 million was from increased sales of databus and in-flight entertainment systems. Structures sales increased by
$5.0 million.
Aerospace operating profit for 2017 was $38.9 million, or 7.3% of sales, compared with $78.0 million, or 14.6% of sales, in the same period last year. Aerospace operating profit was negatively impacted by lower sales volume and market pricing pressures primarily related to cabin power products, coupled with the $16.2 million impairment at Armstrong and an operating loss of $8.4 million from CCC. E&D costs for Aerospace were $85.3 million (inclusive of $5.6 million related to the Acquired Businesses) and
$78.5 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively.

-MORE-

Astronics Corporation Reports 2017 Fourth Quarter Financial Results
February 26, 2018
Page 4


Mr. Gundermann commented, "Our Aerospace segment had record bookings in the fourth quarter of $179 million, for a book-to-bill ratio of 1.3:1. This allowed us to enter 2018 with a record Aerospace backlog of $299 million, providing a sound base for the year."

Test Systems Segment Review (refer to sales by market and segment data in accompanying tables)
Test Systems Fourth Quarter 2017 Results
Sales in the fourth quarter of 2017 increased approximately $5.7 million to $31.8 million compared with the same period in 2016, an increase of 22.0%. Sales to the Semiconductor market increased
$9.6 million compared with the same period in 2016, which was offset by decreased sales of $3.8 million to the Aerospace & Defense market.
Operating profit was $4.5 million, or 14.2% of sales, compared with $2.0 million, or 7.6% of sales, in last year’s fourth quarter. This is primarily due to increased sales volumes. E&D costs were $2.6 million, up slightly from $2.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2016.
Orders for the Test Systems segment in the quarter were $57.7 million, up $34.6 million, or 150%, over the prior-year period, for a book-to-bill ratio of 1.8:1 for the quarter. Backlog was $95.1 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2017.
Test Systems 2017 Results
Sales in 2017 decreased 9.3% to $89.9 million compared with sales of $99.1 million for 2016, due to lower shipments to both the Semiconductor and Aerospace & Defense markets. Sales to the Semiconductor market decreased $5.9 million and sales to the Aerospace & Defense market decreased $3.3 million compared with the same period in 2016.
Operating profit was $7.4 million, or 8.2% of sales, compared with $8.5 million, or 8.6% of sales, in 2016. This is primarily due to decreased sales volume. E&D costs were $9.7 million in 2017, compared with $10.4 million in 2016.
Mr. Gundermann commented, "Our Test business continues to make progress establishing its technologies in its chosen markets. While 2017 was disappointing with revenue of $90 million, bookings for the year were $146.1 million for a book-to-bill of 1.6:1, pointing to a much stronger 2018."

Outlook
As previously reported, consolidated sales in 2018 are expected to be in the range of $745 million to $815 million. Approximately $630 million to $680 million of revenue is expected from the Aerospace segment. Test Systems segment revenue for 2018 is expected to be approximately $115 million to
$135 million.
Consolidated backlog at December 31, 2017 was $393.7 million, a record level, of which approximately $346.7 million is expected to ship in 2018.
Mr. Gundermann commented, “We believe 2018 will be an excellent year for our company, with many of the recent headwinds we have faced turning to tailwinds.  The mid-point of our consolidated revenue range calls for growth of 25%, with our Aerospace segment being up about 22% and our Test segment being up 39%.  We are pursuing a number of high-value awards that will heavily influence our plans, which we will refine as soon as possible.”
The effective tax rate for 2018 is expected to be approximately 18% to 22%.
Capital equipment spending in 2018 is expected to be in the range of $24 million to $28 million. E&D spending in 2018 is expected to be in the range of $110 million to $115 million including the Acquired Businesses, which represents approximately 14.4% of sales at the mid-point of the expected sales range.

-MORE-

Astronics Corporation Reports 2017 Fourth Quarter Financial Results
February 26, 2018
Page 5



Fourth Quarter 2017 Webcast and Conference Call
The Company will host a teleconference today at 5:00 p.m. ET. During the teleconference, Peter J. Gundermann, President and CEO, and David C. Burney, Executive Vice President and CFO, will review the financial and operating results for the period and discuss Astronics’ corporate strategy and outlook. A question-and-answer session will follow.
The Astronics conference call can be accessed by calling (201) 493-6784. The listen-only audio webcast can be monitored at www.astronics.com. To listen to the archived call, dial (412) 317-6671 and enter replay pin number 13676642. The telephonic replay will be available from 8:00 p.m. ET on the day of the call through Monday, March 5, 2018. A transcript will also be posted to the Company’s website once available.

About Astronics Corporation
Astronics Corporation (NASDAQ: ATRO) serves the world’s aerospace, defense and semiconductor industries with proven, innovative technology solutions. Astronics works side-by-side with customers, integrating its array of power, connectivity, lighting, structures, interiors, and test technologies to solve complex challenges. For 50 years, Astronics has delivered creative, customer-focused solutions with exceptional responsiveness. Today, global airframe manufacturers, airlines, military branches, completion centers and Fortune 500 manufacturing organizations rely on the collaborative spirit and innovation of Astronics.
For more information on Astronics and its solutions, visit Astronics.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. One can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of the words “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “estimate” or other similar expressions. Because such statements apply to future events, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from what may be stated here include the state of the aerospace, defense, consumer electronics and semiconductor industries, the market acceptance of newly developed products, internal production capabilities, the timing of orders received, the status of customer certification processes and delivery schedules, the demand for and market acceptance of new or existing aircraft which contain the Company’s products, the need for new and advanced test and simulation equipment, customer preferences and other factors which are described in filings by Astronics with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information in this news release whether to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes in future operating results, financial conditions or prospects, or otherwise.
FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW

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Astronics Corporation Reports 2017 Fourth Quarter Financial Results
February 26, 2018
Page 6




ASTRONICS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT DATA
(Unaudited, $ in thousands except per share data)
 
 
 


Three Months Ended
Year Ended
 
12/31/2017
12/31/2016
12/31/2017
12/31/2016
Sales
$
171,318

$
154,068

$
624,464

$
633,123

Cost of products sold
139,165

117,582

487,351

473,656

Gross profit
32,153

36,486

137,113

159,467

Gross margin
18.8
 %
23.7
%
22.0
%
25.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
Impairment Loss
16,237


16,237


Selling, general and administrative
24,012

21,082

90,516

86,328

SG&A % of sales
14.0
 %
13.7
%
14.5
%
13.6
%
(Loss) Income from operations
(8,096
)
15,404

30,360

73,139

Operating margin
(4.7
)%
10.0
%
4.9
%
11.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
1,619

1,108

5,369

4,354

(Loss) Income before tax
(9,715
)
14,296

24,991

68,785

Income tax expense (benefit)
(4,062
)
4,411

5,312

20,361

Net (Loss) income
$
(5,653
)
$
9,885

$
19,679

$
48,424

Net (Loss) income % of sales
(3.3
)%
6.4
%
3.2
%
7.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share:
$
(0.20
)
$
0.34

$
0.69

$
1.66

Diluted earnings per share:
$
(0.20
)
$
0.33

$
0.67

$
1.61

 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average diluted shares
     outstanding (in thousands)
28,015

29,742

29,320

30,032

 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
$
3,763

$
3,168

$
13,478

13,037

Depreciation and amortization
$
7,794

$
6,333

$
27,063

$
25,790




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Astronics Corporation Reports 2017 Fourth Quarter Financial Results
February 26, 2018
Page 7



ASTRONICS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA
($ in thousands)
 
(unaudited)
 
 
12/31/2017
12/31/2016
ASSETS
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
17,914

$
17,901

Accounts receivable and uncompleted contracts
132,633

109,415

Inventories
150,196

116,597

Other current assets
14,586

11,160

Property, plant and equipment, net
125,830

122,812

Other long-term assets
15,659

13,149

Intangible assets, net
153,493

98,103

Goodwill
125,645

115,207

Total assets
$
735,956

$
604,344

 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
Current maturities of long term debt
$
2,689

$
2,636

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
80,595

60,756

Customer advances and deferred revenue
19,607

23,168

Long-term debt
269,078

145,484

Other liabilities
34,060

34,851

Shareholders' equity
329,927

337,449

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
735,956

$
604,344


ASTRONICS CORPORATION
Segment Data
 
(Unaudited, $ in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
Year Ended
 
12/31/2017
12/31/2016
 
12/31/2017
12/31/2016
Sales
 
 
 
 
 
   Aerospace
$
139,687

$
128,052

 
$
534,724

$
534,408

   Less Inter-segment
(121
)

 
(121
)
(367
)
   Total Aerospace
139,566

128,052

 
534,603

534,041

 
 
 
 
 
 
   Total Test Systems
31,752

26,016

 
89,861

99,082

Total consolidated sales
171,318

154,068


624,464

633,123

 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating (loss) profit and margins
 
 
 
 
 
   Aerospace
(7,865
)
16,867

 
38,888

77,966

 
(5.6
)%
13.2
%

7.3
%
14.6
%
   Test Systems
4,516

1,983

 
7,359

8,507

 
14.2
 %
7.6
%

8.2
%
8.6
%
Total operating (loss) profit
(3,349
)
18,850


46,247

86,473

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
1,619

1,108

 
5,369

4,354

Corporate expenses and other
4,747

3,446

 
15,887

13,334

(Loss) Income before taxes
$
(9,715
)
$
14,296


$
24,991

$
68,785



-MORE-

Astronics Corporation Reports 2017 Fourth Quarter Financial Results
February 26, 2018
Page 8


ASTRONICS CORPORATION
SALES BY MARKET
(Unaudited, $ in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Year Ended
 
 
12/31/2017
12/31/2016
% change
 
12/31/2017
12/31/2016
% change
2017 YTD
Aerospace Segment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial Transport
$
107,624

$
104,378

3.1
 %
 
$
414,523

$
435,552

-4.8
 %
66.4
%
Military
14,974

14,624

2.4
 %
 
61,270

54,556

12.3
 %
9.8
%
Business Jet
12,454

5,042

147.0
 %
 
41,298

25,407

62.5
 %
6.6
%
Other
4,514

4,008

12.6
 %
 
17,512

18,526

-5.5
 %
2.8
%
Aerospace Total
139,566

128,052

9.0
 %
 
534,603

534,041

0.1
 %
85.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
Test Systems Segment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Semiconductor
13,655

4,076

235.0
 %
 
31,999

37,939

-15.7
 %
5.1
%
Aerospace & Defense
18,097

21,940

-17.5
 %
 
57,862

61,143

-5.4
 %
9.3
%
Test Systems Total
31,752

26,016

22.0
 %
 
89,861

99,082

-9.3
 %
14.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
$
171,318

$
154,068

11.2
 %
 
$
624,464

$
633,123

-1.4
 %
 


ASTRONICS CORPORATION
SALES BY PRODUCT LINE
(Unaudited, $ in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Year Ended
 
 
12/31/2017
12/31/2016
% change
 
12/31/2017
12/31/2016
% change
2017 YTD
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aerospace Segment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Electrical Power & Motion
$
65,273

$
69,250

-5.7
 %
 
$
264,286

$
288,465

-8.4
 %
42.3
%
Lighting & Safety
36,346

35,351

2.8
 %
 
158,663

156,871

1.1
 %
25.4
%
Avionics
22,536

10,077

123.6
 %
 
53,960

32,761

64.7
 %
8.6
%
Systems Certification
4,927

3,954

24.6
 %
 
14,333

16,531

-13.3
 %
2.3
%
Structures
5,970

5,412

10.3
 %
 
25,849

20,887

23.8
 %
4.1
%
Other
4,514

4,008

12.6
 %
 
17,512

18,526

-5.5
 %
2.8
%
Aerospace Total
139,566

128,052

9.0
 %
 
534,603

534,041

0.1
 %
85.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Test Systems
31,752

26,016

22.0
 %
 
89,861

99,082

-9.3
 %
14.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
$
171,318

$
154,068

11.2
 %
 
$
624,464

$
633,123

-1.4
 %
 




-MORE-

Astronics Corporation Reports 2017 Fourth Quarter Financial Results
February 26, 2018
Page 9


ASTRONICS CORPORATION
ORDER AND BACKLOG TREND
(Unaudited, $ in thousands)

 
  
Q1
2017
  
Q2
2017
  
Q3
2017
  
Q4
2017
Trailing
Twelve Months
 
04/01/2017
7/1/2017
9/30/2017
12/31/2017
12/31/2017
Sales
 
 
 
 
 
Aerospace
$
136,827

$
129,547

$
128,663

$
139,566

$
534,603

Test Systems
15,569

21,567

20,973

31,752

89,861

Total Sales
$
152,396

$
151,114

$
149,636

$
171,318

$
624,464

 
 
 
 
 
 
Bookings
 
 
 
 
 
Aerospace
$
122,836

$
134,822

$
146,178

$
179,340

$
583,176

Test Systems
24,236

23,944

40,161

57,719

146,060

Total Bookings
$
147,072

$
158,766

$
186,339

$
237,059

$
729,236

 
 
 
 
 
 
Backlog*
 
 
 
 
 
Aerospace
$
205,155

$
215,647

$
233,162

$
298,604

 
Test Systems
47,554

49,931

69,119

95,086

 
Total Backlog
$
252,709

$
265,578

$
302,281

$
393,690

N/A

 
 
 
 
 
 
Book:Bill Ratio
 
 
 
 
 
Aerospace
0.90

1.04

1.14

1.28

1.09

Test Systems
1.56

1.11

1.91

1.82

1.63

Total Book:Bill
0.97

1.05

1.25

1.38

1.17

* During the second and fourth quarters, acquisitions added backlog of approximately $5.2 million and
$25.7 million, respectively, for the Aerospace segment.


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