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Energy Recovery Reports Fiscal Year End 2017 Financial Results

March 7, 2018 4:30 PM

SAN LEANDRO, Calif., March 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Energy Recovery Inc. (NASDAQ: ERII) ("Energy Recovery" or the "Company"), the leader in pressure energy technology for industrial fluid flows, today announced its financial results for the fiscal year and fourth quarter ended on December 31, 2017.

Energy Recovery logo.

Full Year Summary:

  • Total revenue of $63.2 million, an increase of 15% year-over-year
  • Product gross margin of 67.2%
  • Total gross margin(1) of 69.8%
  • Net income of $12.4 million, or $0.22 per diluted share

Fourth Quarter Summary:

  • Total revenue of $22.4 million, an increase of 25% year-over-year
  • Product gross margin of 68.5%
  • Total gross margin(1) of 70.2%
  • Net income of $11.6 million, or $0.21 per diluted share

President and CEO Chris Gannon remarked, "2017 was a record year for the company, setting all-time highs in revenue in both our Water and Oil & Gas segments, as well as achieving record full year product and total gross margins(1). We believe that the current expansion phase in the desalination business cycle will continue throughout 2018. Cash-generation from our core business helps fund advanced R&D initiatives – the next platform for sustained growth for the company."

Mr. Gannon continued, "The long-term strategy of Energy Recovery remains unchanged. Our primary goals are 1) desalination market leadership, 2) commercialization of VorTeqTM, 3) further development of MTeqTM, and 4) continuous innovation of our core PX technology. The dedicated efforts of our sales team continues to drive top line growth, while our operations team continues to maximize manufacturing efficiencies to generate increased profitability. Our engineering team is tirelessly and methodically improving the VorTeq and MTeq systems. Our balance sheet remains strong and the company has never been in a better position to deliver value to our shareholders."

Mr. Gannon concluded, "Through the observations and lessons learned from testing to-date, we have identified specific enhancements to the VorTeq system and are working toward implementation. Based on the current component delivery, testing and assembly schedules, we expect to make material progress towards commercialization throughout 2018. We will provide further detail during our conference call on March 8th, 2018."

Revenues

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, the Company generated total revenue of $63.2 million. Total revenue for fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 increased by $8.4 million, or 15%, from $54.7 million in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016. Of the $8.4 million increase in total revenue, $6.8 million was attributable to the Water segment and $1.7 million was attributable to the Oil & Gas segment.

The Water segment generated total product revenue of $54.3 million for fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $47.5 million for fiscal year ended December 31, 2016. The $6.8 million, or 14% increase in product revenue was due to higher Mega Project ("MPD") and Original Equipment Manufacturer ("OEM") shipments in 2017.

The Oil & Gas segment generated total revenue of $8.9 million for fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $7.2 million for fiscal year ended December 31, 2016. The $1.7 million, or 24% increase in revenue was due to higher percentage-of-completion ("PoC") revenue recognition associated with the sale of multiple IsoBoost® systems as compared to 2016. License and development revenue of $5.0 million was recognized in both 2017 and 2016.

For the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company generated total revenue of $22.4 million. Revenue increased by $4.5 million, or 25%, from $17.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. Of the $4.5 million increase in revenue, $5.6 million was attributed to an increase in Water segment revenue due to higher MPD and OEM shipments in the fourth quarter of 2017, offset by a $1.1 million decrease in the Oil & Gas segment revenue due to lower PoC revenue recognition associated with the aforementioned sale of multiple IsoBoost systems. License and development revenue of $1.25 million was recognized in each of the fourth quarters of 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Gross Margin

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, product gross margin was 67.2%. Product gross margin increased by 310 basis points from 64.1% in 2016. This increase was largely driven by favorable price and product mix, manufacturing efficiencies, and higher production levels in the Water segment. Including license and development revenue, total gross margin(1) was 69.8% for fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. Total gross margin(1) increased 240 basis points from 67.4% in 2016.

The Water segment generated product gross margin of 70.5% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. Water segment product gross margin increased by 490 basis points, compared to 65.6% in 2016. This increase was largely driven by favorable price and product mix, manufacturing efficiencies, and higher production levels in 2017.

The Oil & Gas segment generated product gross margin of 21.4% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, compared to 31.1% in 2016. This decrease was attributable to higher project costs and revenue adjustments. Including license and development revenue, the Oil & Gas segment total gross margin(1) for fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 was 65.8%.

For the fourth quarter of 2017, product gross margin was 68.5%. Product gross margin increased by 430 basis points from 64.2% in the fourth quarter of 2016. This increase was largely driven by favorable price and product mix, and manufacturing efficiencies in the Water segment. Including license and development revenue, total gross margin(1) was 70.2% for the fourth quarter of 2017. Total gross margin(1) increased 350 basis points from 66.7% in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Operating Expenses

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, operating expenses were $40.8 million, an increase of $4.3 million from $36.5 million for fiscal year ended December 31, 2016. The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to increases in the Oil & Gas and Water segments.

The Water segment operating expenses for fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 were $8.9 million, an increase of $0.8 million from $8.1 million for fiscal year ended December 31, 2016. This increase was driven by higher sales and marketing expenses associated with increased Water segment sales.

The Oil & Gas segment operating expenses for fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 were $16.0 million, an increase of $3.3 million from $12.7 million for fiscal year ended December 31, 2016. This increase was driven by the Company's continued investment in research and development activities.

The Corporate segment operating expenses of $15.9 million for fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 were $200 thousand higher than the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.

For the fourth quarter of 2017, operating expenses were $12.7 million, an increase of $3.4 million from $9.3 million for fourth quarter of 2016. This increase in operating expenses was primarily due to continued investment in research and development activities in the Oil & Gas segment and higher sales and marketing expenses in Water segment.

Bottom Line Summary

To summarize our financial performance, on a full year basis, the Company reported a net income of $12.4 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, compared to a net income of $1.0 million, or $0.02 per diluted share in 2016. This increase was driven by a tax benefit of $8.4 million, which included a net release of tax valuation allowance, a one-time tax expense related to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and other tax adjustments. Excluding the tax benefit, net income for fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 was $0.07 per diluted share.

On a quarterly basis, the Company reported a net income of $11.6 million, or $0.21 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to a net income of $3.1 million, or $0.06 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2016. As noted above, this increase was driven by a tax benefit of $8.4 million. Excluding the tax benefit, net income for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $0.06 per diluted share.

Cash Flow Highlights

The Company ended the quarter with unrestricted cash of $27.8 million, current and non-current restricted cash of $2.8 million, and short-term investments of $70.0 million, all of which represent a combined total of $100.6 million.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, the Company's net cash provided by operating activities was $2.9 million driven by $12.4 million of net income, offset by $5.0 million amortization of the VorTeqTM License Agreement exclusivity fee, $4.1 million increase in working capital, and $0.4 million of non-cash adjustments, the largest of which were $8.9 million of income related to deferred income taxes, $4.1 million of share-based compensation, and $3.7 million of depreciation and amortization. Cash used in investing activities was $37.4 million driven by $31.5 million of net purchases of marketable securities and $7.4 million of capital expenditures, partially offset by a decrease in restricted cash of $1.5 million. Cash provided by financing activities was $0.9 million, driven by $5.5 million collected from the issuance of common stock related to option exercises, partially offset by $4.3 million in repurchases of common stock and $0.3 million in vested restricted shares withheld for tax withholdings.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain matters discussed in this press release and on the conference call are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including the Company's belief that the current expansion phase in the desalination business cycle will continue through 2018, and the Company's belief that it will make material progress towards commercialization of the VorTeq system throughout 2018. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to us and on management's beliefs, assumptions, estimates, or projections and are not guarantees of future events or results. Potential risks and uncertainties include our ability to achieve the milestones under the VorTeq license agreement, any other factors that may have been discussed herein regarding the risks and uncertainties of our business, and the risks discussed under "Risk Factors" in our Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") for the year ended December 31, 2017 as well as other reports filed by the Company with the SEC from time to time. Because such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, the Company's actual results may differ materially from the predictions in these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are made as of today, and the Company assumes no obligation to update such statements.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, including total gross margin. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's performance, financial position, or cash flows that either exclude or include amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures do not reflect a comprehensive system of accounting, differ from GAAP measures with the same captions, and may differ from non-GAAP financial measures with the same or similar captions that are used by other companies. As such, these non-GAAP measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. The Company uses these non-GAAP financial measures to analyze its operating performance and future prospects, develop internal budgets and financial goals, and to facilitate period-to-period comparisons. The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of its operations that, when viewed with its GAAP results, provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting its business.

(1)

"Total gross margin" is a non-GAAP financial measure. Please refer to the discussion under headings "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and "Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

Conference Call to Discuss Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2017 Financial Results

LIVE CONFERENCE CALL:Thursday, March 8, 2018, 7:00 AM PST / 10:00 AM ESTListen-only, US / Canada Toll-free: 877-709-8150Listen-only, Local / International Toll: (+1) 201-689-8354Access code: 13676918

CONFERENCE CALL REPLAY:Expiration: Sunday, April 8, 2018 US / Canada Toll-free: 877-660-6853 Local / International Toll: (+1) 201-612-7415Access code: 13676918

Investors may also access the live call or the replay over the internet at ir.energyrecovery.com. The replay will be available approximately three hours after the live call concludes.

Disclosure Information

Energy Recovery uses the investor relations section on its website as means of complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor Energy Recovery's investor relations website in addition to following Energy Recovery's press releases, SEC filings, and public conference calls and webcasts.

About Energy Recovery Inc.

Energy Recovery, Inc. (ERII) is an energy solutions provider to industrial fluid flow markets worldwide. Energy Recovery solutions recycle and convert wasted pressure energy into a usable asset and preserve pumps that are subject to hostile processing environments. With award-winning technology, Energy Recovery simplifies complex industrial systems while improving productivity, profitability, and efficiency within the oil & gas, chemical processing, and water industries. Energy Recovery products save clients more than $1.8 billion (USD) annually. Headquartered in the Bay Area, Energy Recovery has offices in Houston, Ireland, Shanghai, and Dubai. For more information about the Company, please visit www.energyrecovery.com.

ContactBrian Uhlmer[email protected](713) 858-2284

ENERGY RECOVERY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share data and par value)

(Unaudited)

December 31,

2017

2016

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

27,780

$

61,364

Restricted cash

2,664

2,297

Short-term investments

70,020

39,073

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $103 and $130 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively

12,465

11,759

Unbilled receivables, current

1,413

190

Cost and estimated earnings in excess of billings

4,998

1,825

Inventories

5,514

4,550

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

1,342

1,311

Total current assets

126,196

122,369

Restricted cash, non-current

182

2,087

Deferred tax assets, non-current

7,902

1,270

Property and equipment, net

13,393

8,643

Goodwill

12,790

12,790

Other intangible assets, net

1,269

1,900

Other assets, non-current

12

4

Total assets

$

161,744

$

149,063

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

4,091

$

1,505

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

9,322

9,019

Income taxes payable

432

16

Accrued warranty reserve

366

406

Deferred revenue, current

5,611

6,201

Current portion of long-term debt

11

11

Total current liabilities

19,833

17,158

Long-term debt, less current portion

16

27

Deferred tax liabilities, non-current

2,233

Deferred revenue, non-current

59,006

63,958

Other non-current liabilities

358

554

Total liabilities

79,213

83,930

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 8)

Stockholders' equity:

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding at December 31, 2017 and 2016

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 58,168,433 shares issued and 53,905,600 shares outstanding at December 31, 2017 and 56,884,207 shares issued and 53,162,551 shares outstanding at December 31, 2016

58

57

Additional paid-in capital

149,006

139,676

Accumulated comprehensive loss

(125)

(118)

Treasury stock, at cost, 4,262,833 shares repurchased at December 31, 2017 and 3,721,656 shares repurchased at December 31, 2016

(20,486)

(16,210)

Accumulated deficit

(45,922)

(58,272)

Total stockholders' equity

82,531

65,133

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

161,744

$

149,063

ENERGY RECOVERY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

Years Ended December 31,

2017

2016

2015

Product revenue

$

58,156

$

49,715

$

43,671

Product cost of revenue

19,061

17,849

19,111

Product gross profit

39,095

31,866

24,560

License and development revenue

5,000

5,000

1,042

Operating expenses:

General and administrative

17,354

16,626

19,773

Sales and marketing

9,391

9,116

9,326

Research and development

13,443

10,136

7,659

Amortization of intangible assets

631

631

635

Total operating expenses

40,819

36,509

37,393

Income (loss) from operations

3,276

357

(11,791)

Other income (expense):

Interest income

870

309

53

Interest expense

(2)

(3)

(42)

Other non-operating expense, net

(188)

(19)

(192)

Total other income (expense), net

680

287

(181)

Income (loss) before income taxes

3,956

644

(11,972)

Benefit from income taxes

(8,394)

(390)

(334

Net income (loss)

$

12,350

$

1,034

$

(11,638)

Income (loss) per share:

Basic

$

0.23

$

0.02

$

(0.22)

Diluted

$

0.22

$

0.02

$

(0.22)

Number of shares used in per share calculations:

Basic

53,701

52,341

52,151

Diluted

55,612

55,451

52,151

ENERGY RECOVERY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

Years Ended December 31,

2017

2016

2015

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

Net income (loss)

$

12,350

$

1,034

$

(11,638)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

Stock-based compensation

4,087

3,263

4,059

Depreciation and amortization

3,666

3,680

3,838

Amortization of premiums on investments

460

174

162

Provision for warranty claims

246

208

135

Reversal of accruals related to expired warranties

(200)

(236)

(395)

Unrealized loss on foreign currency translation

144

13

1

Provision for doubtful accounts

55

76

112

Adjustments for excess or obsolete inventory

201

(361)

(250)

Deferred income taxes

(8,865)

(459)

(326)

Other non-cash adjustments

(196)

(131)

23

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable

(761)

(244)

(743)

Unbilled receivables

(1,223)

1,695

(128)

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings

(3,173)

(1,825)

Inventories

(1,250)

2,287

1,951

Prepaid and other assets

(39)

(402)

316

Accounts payable

2,118

(360)

48

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

364

1,259

(708)

Income taxes payable

416

14

(3)

Litigation settlement

(1,700)

Deferred revenue, product

(505)

280

343

Deferred revenue, license and development

(5,000)

(5,000)

73,958

Net cash provided by operating activities

2,895

4,965

69,055

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

Restricted cash

1,538

(577)

1,665

Maturities of marketable securities

49,106

7,535

12,925

Purchases of marketable securities

(80,641)

(46,552)

Capital expenditures

(7,376)

(1,112)

(572)

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

(37,373)

(40,706)

14,018

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

Net proceeds from issuance of common stock

5,508

6,600

1,326

Tax payment for employee shares withheld

(270)

Proceeds from long-term debt

55

Repayment of long-term debt

(11)

(10)

(7)

Repurchase of common stock

(4,276)

(9,375)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

951

(2,785)

1,374

Effect of exchange rate differences on cash and cash equivalents

(57)

(41)

(17)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

(33,584)

(38,567)

84,430

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

61,364

99,931

15,501

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

$

27,780

$

61,364

$

99,931

ENERGY RECOVERY, INC.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION BY SEGMENT

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

December 31, 2017

Three Months Ended

December 31, 2016

Water

Oil &Gas

Total

Water

Oil &Gas

Total

Product revenue

$

20,594

$

545

$

21,139

$

14,953

$

1,714

$

16,667

Product cost of revenue

6,029

638

6,667

4,797

1,174

5,971

Product gross profit

14,565

(93)

14,472

10,156

540

10,696

License and development revenue

1,250

1,250

1,250

1,250

Operating expenses:

General and administrative

436

480

916

253

350

603

Sales and marketing

1,748

593

2,341

1,413

852

2,265

Research and development

254

4,483

4,737

377

2,311

2,688

Amortization of intangibles

158

158

158

158

Operating expenses

2,596

5,556

8,152

2,201

3,513

5,714

Operating income (loss)

$

11,969

$

(4,399)

7,570

$

7,955

$

(1,723)

6,232

Less: Corporate operating expenses

4,513

3,552

Consolidated operating income

3,057

2,680

Non-operating income

220

152

Income before income taxes

$

3,277

$

2,832

Year Ended December 31, 2017

Water

Oil &Gas

Total

Product revenue

$

54,301

$

3,855

$

58,156

Product cost of revenue

16,032

3,029

19,061

Product gross profit

38,269

826

39,095

License and development revenue

5,000

5,000

Operating expenses:

General and administrative

1,401

1,565

2,966

Sales and marketing

5,787

2,228

8,015

Research and development

1,064

12,217

13,281

Amortization of intangibles

631

631

Operating expenses

8,883

16,010

24,893

Operating income (loss)

$

29,386

$

(10,184)

19,202

Less: Corporate operating expenses

15,926

Consolidated operating income

3,276

Non-operating income

680

Income before income taxes

$

3,956

Year Ended December 31, 2016

Water

Oil &Gas

Total

Product revenue

$

47,545

$

2,170

$

49,715

Product cost of revenue

16,353

1,496

17,849

Product gross profit

31,192

674

31,866

License and development revenue

5,000

5,000

Operating expenses:

General and administrative

1,081

1,000

2,081

Sales and marketing

5,076

2,985

8,061

Research and development

1,331

8,705

10,036

Amortization of intangibles

631

631

Operating expenses

8,119

12,690

20,809

Operating income (loss)

$

23,073

$

(7,016)

16,057

Less: Corporate operating expenses

15,700

Consolidated operating income

357

Non-operating income

287

Income before income taxes

$

644

Year Ended December 31, 2015

Water

Oil &Gas

Total

Product revenue

$

43,530

$

141

$

43,671

Product cost of revenue

19,045

66

19,111

Product gross profit

24,485

75

24,560

License and development revenue

1,042

1,042

Operating expenses:

General and administrative

936

1,797

2,733

Sales and marketing

4,918

4,070

8,988

Research and development

1,126

6,552

7,678

Amortization of intangibles

635

635

Operating expenses

7,615

12,419

20,034

Operating income (loss)

$

16,870

$

(11,302)

5,568

Less: Corporate operating expenses

17,359

Consolidated operating loss

(11,791)

Non-operating expense

(181)

Loss before income taxes

$

(11,972)

ENERGY RECOVERY, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

This press release includes non-GAAP financial information because we plan and manage our business using such information. Our non-GAAP Total Gross Margin is determined by adding back the license and development revenue associated with the amortization of the VorTeq exclusivity fee. Our non-GAAP Adjusted Net Income or Loss is determined by adding back non-recurring operating expenses.

Three Months Ended

December 31,

Years Ended

December 31,

2017

2016

2017

2016

Product revenue

$

21,139

$

16,667

$

58,156

$

49,715

License and development revenue

1,250

1,250

5,000

5,000

Total revenue

$

22,389

$

17,917

$

63,156

$

54,715

Product gross profit

$

14,472

$

10,696

$

39,095

$

31,866

License and development revenue

1,250

1,250

5,000

5,000

Total gross profit (non-GAAP)

$

15,722

$

11,946

$

44,095

$

36,866

Product gross margin

68.5

%

64.2

%

67.2

%

64.1

%

Total gross margin (non-GAAP)

70.2

%

66.7

%

69.8

%

67.4

%

Net income (loss)

$

11,625

$

3,123

$

12,350

$

1,034

Reversal of non-recurring expense (benefit) (non-GAAP)

(8,348)

(8,394)

1,008

Adjusted net income (loss) (non-GAAP)

$

3,277

$

3,123

$

3,956

$

2,042

Income (loss) per share:

Diluted

$

0.21

$

0.06

$

0.22

$

0.02

Diluted (non-GAAP)

$

0.06

$

0.06

$

0.07

$

0.04

Number of diluted shares used in per share calculations

55,715

55,947

55,612

55,451

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SOURCE Energy Recovery Inc.

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