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MISTRAS Group Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Results

March 16, 2021 4:01 PM EDT

Third Consecutive Year of over 100 Basis Point Expansion of Annual Gross Profit Margin to 30.1%

Operating Cash Flow Increases 39.6% in Fourth Quarter, Up 14.7% for Full Year to $67.8 Million

Debt paydown of $36.0 Million in 2020, resulting in a 13.5% reduction in Total Debt


Company Well Positioned for Strong Fiscal 2021 Rebound

PRINCETON JUNCTION, N.J., March 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MISTRAS Group, Inc. (MG: NYSE), a leading "one source" global multinational provider of integrated technology-enabled asset protection solutions, reported financial results for its fourth quarter and twelve months ended December 31, 2020.

Highlights of the Fourth Quarter 2020*

  • Revenue of $160.8 million, a decrease of 10.2% year-over-year, but an increase of 8.7% sequentially
  • Gross profit margin of 30.7%, a 240 basis point improvement
  • SG&A expenses of $40.7 million, a decrease of $1.9 million or 4.6%
  • Income from operations of $4.7 million, an increase of $2.3 million or 99.3%
  • Operating cash flow of $26.0 million, an increase of $7.4 million or 39.6%
  • Free cash flow of $21.2 million, an increase of $7.5 million or 55.0%

Highlights for the Full Year 2020*

  • Revenue of $592.6 million, a decrease of 20.8%
  • Gross profit margin of 30.1%, a 110 basis point improvement
  • SG&A expense of $156.9 million, a reduction of $11.7 million, or 6.9%
  • Operating cash flow of $67.8 million, an increase of $8.7 million or 14.7%
  • Free cash flow of $52.0 million, an increase of $15.8 million or 43.8%
  • Full year debt repayment of $36.0 million, resulting in a total debt reduction of 13.5%

*    All comparisons are consolidated and versus the equivalent prior year period, unless otherwise noted.

For the fourth quarter of 2020, consolidated revenue was $160.8 million, down from $179.0 million in the prior year period, but up 8.7% sequentially from the third quarter of 2020. Fourth quarter revenues benefitted from a strengthening of the energy markets, especially turnaround activity, offset by weakness in the commercial aerospace market. For the fourth quarter, consolidated gross profit margin improved to 30.7%, an increase of 240 basis points compared to the year ago quarter. As a result, the gross profit margin for the full year expanded by 110 basis points, which is the third consecutive year the gross profit margin improved by at least 100 basis points. For the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company reported net income of $0.2 million or $0.01 per diluted share, with adjusted EBITDA of $17.6 million, up 21.6% from $14.5 year million in the year ago quarter, and also up sequentially from the third quarter.

Strong Cash Flow Resulting in Net Debt Reduced Over $45 Million in Fiscal 2020

The Company consistently generated significant operating cash flow and free cash flow throughout 2020.

The Company generated $26.0 million and $21.2 million in operating cash flows and free cash flows, respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $18.6 million in operating cash flows and $13.7 million in free cash flows, respectively, for the same prior year period. For the full year, operating cash flow increased by 14.7% to $67.8 million, which was used primarily to reduce debt. Net debt was reduced by 18.9% over the course of the year to $194.5 million at year end. Operating and free cash flow benefitted from improvements in working capital, payroll tax deferrals attributable to the CARES Act and lower capital expenditures throughout fiscal 2020.

Chief Executive Officer Dennis Bertolotti commented, "The fourth quarter was a very strong finish to what had been a very challenging year, both in terms of uncertainty in the energy markets and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our domestic and international operations. As energy prices and demand began to stabilize in the latter part of 2020, offshore mechanical improved, turnarounds were extended and data services performed well, which lead to strong revenue as we finished out the year. In aerospace, our penetration of the defense and space sectors continues to increase, although the commercial aerospace market remains relatively weak, particularly in Europe. Our Products segment had a strong fourth quarter, fueled in part by an increase in infrastructure spending where our bridge sensor technology has been expanding. After declining by over one-third in the second quarter of 2020 as compared to the prior year quarter, total company revenues steadily improved over the balance of 2020, with fourth quarter revenues down just over 10% from a strong prior year quarter. Gross margins, which have been a strategic priority, were once again up in the quarter and full year, while our cost reductions made earlier in the year drove overhead costs down.

As a result of our steady improvement, we have been able to leverage our asset-light business model to generate strong cash flows, with free cash flow of just over $52 million for the full year. Over the course of fiscal 2020, we paid down $36 million in debt, which improved our financial flexibility and strengthened our overall financial condition.”

Mr. Bertolotti additionally commented on the Company’s progress with a number of growth initiatives and provided an outlook for the upcoming quarter, “The demand for services that assure the safety, reliability and regulatory compliance of our customer’s valuable assets is on the rise. We are responding to this opportunity by expanding the markets we serve and developing new technologies needed to serve customer’s evolving needs. In the energy markets, we are creating new opportunities in wind energy, where our remote sensor technology can improve efficiencies and reduce operating costs. In aerospace, we are now expanding our relationships with emerging private space flight providers and gaining traction within the defense industry. To serve these markets, we are leveraging our existing technologies and expanding new capabilities. In each case, our many years of experience offer a competitive advantage, which we believe provides us the opportunity to further our industry leadership. While the next few years are certain to see significant change, we remain committed to serving the needs of our existing markets. Energy, aerospace and industrial will remain at the forefront of investment, both for today and in the future as they are very large markets with opportunities to grow by gaining share. This past year has clearly demonstrated that Mistras has built a strong franchise in our key markets, and that the opportunity to build on that foundation through both traditional and emerging technologies is the key to increasing shareholder value.”

Segment Performance:

Services segment fourth quarter revenues were $126.9 million, down 10% from a year ago due to overall slowdown in energy and aerospace markets, but up 6% sequentially from the third quarter attributable to offshore mechanical, turnarounds and data services. For the fourth quarter, gross profit margin was 29.4%, up from 26.7% in the fourth quarter of the prior year. Gross profit margin benefitted from better utilization, favorable sales mix and wage subsidies in Canada.

International segment fourth quarter revenues were $30.7million, down 12.3% from $35.0 million a year ago due to aerospace market softness partially offset by favorable foreign exchange rates, but up 15.8% sequentially from the third quarter primarily due to a major project in Germany and favorable foreign exchange rates. International segment fourth quarter gross profit margin was 30.8%, up from 28.7% in the year-ago quarter.

Products and Services revenue were $5.7 million in the fourth quarter, up 6.4% from $5.4 million a year ago, while gross profit was $3.0 million, or 52.5% compared to gross profit of $2.8 million or 52.9% in the year ago quarter.

The Company generated $67.8 million of cash flows from operations in fiscal 2020, compared with $59.1 million in fiscal 2019. Free cash flow was $52.0 million for the year, compared with $36.2 million in the comparable prior year period, an increase of 43.8%. Free cash flow benefitted from an improvement in working capital management, a tighter capital expenditure budget and the deferral of payroll tax related payments under the CARES act.

The Company’s net debt (total debt less cash and cash equivalents) was $194.5 million at December 31, 2020, compared to $239.7 million at December 31, 2019. Total debt decreased by $34.5 million during the year from $254.7 million at December 31, 2019 to $220.2 million at December 31, 2020. Cash and cash equivalents increased by approximately $10.8 million from $15.0 million at December 31, 2019 to $25.8 million at December 31, 2020.

Outlook for 2021

The Company’s business has been recovering over the past two quarters, from the low experienced in the second quarter of 2020, when the effect of COVID-19 was most impactful to its financial results. Although energy prices and demand are currently stable, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the Company’s two largest markets, Oil & Gas and Aerospace. The Company expects annual revenue for 2021 to be higher than in 2020, however, first quarter 2021 revenues will decline modestly compared with those of prior year, due to a full quarter’s impact of COVID-19 in 2021 as compared to a partial month impact in 2020. Moreover, first quarter 2021 revenue will be lower sequentially compared with the fourth quarter of 2020, due to typical seasonality patterns. The Company is optimistic that its revenue will continue to rebound once it reaches the second quarter of fiscal 2021, and therefore expects that revenue will commence year-on-year improvements beginning in the second quarter of 2021. The Company expects that year-on-year Adjusted EBITDA improvements will commence beginning in the first quarter of 2021. This outlook is contingent on continuing macroeconomic stability, including i) continuing stabilization in crude oil markets, ii) a timely and effective implementation of COVID-19 vaccinations in 2021 and iii), no new or increased stay-in-place mandates resulting from an increased spread of COVID-19, which would impact the Company’s ability to work as a critical service provider.

Conference Call

In connection with this release, MISTRAS will hold a conference call on March 17, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern). The call will be broadcast over the Web and can be accessed on MISTRAS' Website, www.mistrasgroup.com. Individuals in the U.S. wishing to participate in the conference call by phone may dial 1-844-832-7227 and use confirmation code 5229826 when prompted. The International dial-in number is 1-224-633-1529. Those who wish to listen to the call later can access an archived copy of the conference call at the MISTRAS Website.

About MISTRAS Group, Inc. - One Source for Asset Protection Solutions®

MISTRAS Group, Inc. (NYSE: MG) is a leading "one source" multinational provider of integrated technology-enabled asset protection solutions, helping to maximize the safety and operational uptime for civilization’s most critical industrial and civil assets.

Backed by an innovative, data-driven asset protection portfolio, proprietary technologies, and a decades-long legacy of industry leadership, MISTRAS leads clients in the oil and gas, aerospace and defense, power generation, civil infrastructure, and manufacturing industries towards achieving and maintaining operational excellence. By supporting these organizations that help fuel our vehicles and power our society; inspecting components that are trusted for commercial, defense, and space craft; and building real-time monitoring equipment to enable safe travel across bridges, MISTRAS helps the world at large.

MISTRAS enhances value for its clients by integrating asset protection throughout supply chains and centralizing integrity data through a suite of Industrial IoT-connected digital software and monitoring solutions. The company’s core capabilities also include non-destructive testing (“NDT”) field inspections enhanced by advanced robotics, laboratory quality control and assurance testing, sensing technologies and NDT equipment, asset and mechanical integrity engineering services, and light mechanical maintenance and access services.

For more information about how MISTRAS helps protect civilization’s critical infrastructure, visit https://www.mistrasgroup.comor contact Nestor S. Makarigakis, Group Vice President of Marketing and Communications at [email protected]

Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

Certain statements made in this press release are "forward-looking statements" about MISTRAS' financial results and estimates, products and services, business model, strategy, growth opportunities, profitability and competitive position, and other matters. These forward-looking statements generally use words such as "future," "possible," "potential," "targeted," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "predict," "project," "will," "may," "should," "could," "would" and other similar words and phrases. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by which, such performance or results will be achieved, if at all. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in these statements. A list, description and discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties can be found in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 16, 2021, as updated by our reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and MISTRAS undertakes no obligation to update such statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

In addition to financial information prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (GAAP), this press release also contains adjusted financial measures that we believe provide investors and management with supplemental information relating to operating performance and trends that facilitate comparisons between periods and with respect to projected information. The term "Adjusted EBITDA" used in this release is a financial measurement not calculated in accordance with GAAP and is defined as net income attributable to MISTRAS Group, Inc. plus: interest expense, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation expense and certain acquisition related costs (including transaction due diligence costs and adjustments to the fair value of contingent consideration), foreign exchange (gain) loss, non-cash impairment charges and, if applicable, certain additional special items which are noted. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to a financial measurement under GAAP is set forth in a table attached to this press release. In the press release, the Company also uses the term "non-GAAP Net Income", which is GAAP net income adjusted for certain items management believes are unusual and non-recurring. The Company uses the term “free cash flow”, a non-GAAP measurement the Company defines as cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures (which is classified as an investing activity). The Company also uses the term “net debt”, a non-GAAP measurement defined as the sum of the current and long-term portions of long-term debt, less cash and cash equivalent. In the tables attached is a table reconciling "Net Income (Loss) (GAAP)" to "Net Income Excluding Special Items (non-GAAP), which reconciles the non-GAAP amount to a GAAP measurement. In addition, the Company has also included in the attached tables non-GAAP measurement” “Segment and Total Company Income (Loss) Before Special Items”, reconciling these measurements to financial measurements under GAAP.


Mistras Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 December 31,
 2020 2019
ASSETS   
Current Assets   
Cash and cash equivalents$25,760  $15,016 
Accounts receivable, net107,628  135,997 
Inventories13,134  13,413 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets16,066  14,729 
Total current assets162,588  179,155 
Property, plant and equipment, net92,681  98,607 
Intangible assets, net68,642  109,537 
Goodwill206,008  282,410 
Deferred income taxes2,069  1,786 
Other assets51,325  48,383 
Total Assets$583,313  $719,878 
    
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY   
Current Liabilities   
Accounts payable$14,240  $15,033 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities78,500  81,389 
Current portion of long-term debt10,678  6,593 
Current portion of finance lease obligations3,765  4,131 
Income taxes payable2,664  2,094 
Total current liabilities109,847  109,240 
Long-term debt, net of current portion209,538  248,120 
Obligations under finance leases, net of current portion11,115  13,043 
Deferred income taxes8,236  21,290 
Other long-term liabilities47,358  42,163 
Total Liabilities$386,094  $433,856 
    
Commitments and contingencies   
    
Equity   
Preferred stock, 10,000,000 shares authorized   
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 29,234,143 and 28,945,472 shares issued292  289 
Additional paid-in capital234,638  229,205 
Retained earnings (deficit)(21,848) 77,613 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(16,061) (21,285)
Total Mistras Group, Inc. stockholders’ equity197,021  285,822 
Non-controlling interests198  200 
Total Equity197,219  286,022 
Total Liabilities and Equity$583,313  $719,878 


Mistras Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)
(in thousands, except per share data)

 For the quarter ended
December 31,
 For the year ended
December 31,
 2020 2019 2020 2019
        
Revenue$160,777  $178,991  $592,571  $748,586 
Cost of revenue105,647  122,768  391,855  509,489 
Depreciation5,785  5,640  22,185  21,800 
Gross profit49,345  50,583  178,531  217,297 
Selling, general and administrative expenses40,659  42,607  156,937  168,621 
Bad debt provision for troubled customers, net of recoveries  240    3,038 
Impairment charges    106,062   
Pension withdrawal expense  359    848 
Research and engineering722  784  2,892  3,045 
Depreciation and amortization3,161  4,353  13,520  16,733 
Acquisition-related expense, net151  (95) 337  875 
Income (loss) from operations4,652  2,335  (101,217) 24,137 
Interest expense3,545  3,633  12,955  13,698 
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes1,107  (1,298) (114,172) 10,439 
Provision (benefit) for income taxes939  (2,134) (14,706) 4,359 
Net income (loss)168  836  (99,466) 6,080 
Less: net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of taxes(13) 7  (5) 20 
Net income (loss) attributable to Mistras Group, Inc.$181  $829  $(99,461) $6,060 
Earnings (loss) per common share       
Basic$0.01  $0.03  $(3.41) $0.21 
Diluted$0.01  $0.03  $(3.41) $0.21 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:       
Basic29,330  28,923  29,147  28,740 
Diluted29,680  29,125  29,147  29,046 


Mistras Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Operating Data by Segment
(in thousands)

 For the quarter ended
December 31,
 For the year ended
December 31,
 2020 2019 2020 2019
Revenues       
Services$126,893  $141,051  $476,164  $595,130 
International30,669  34,969  107,556  144,271 
Products and Systems5,703  5,362  16,449  18,583 
Corporate and eliminations(2,488) (2,391) (7,598) (9,398)
 $160,777  $178,991  $592,571  $748,586 
        
        
 For the quarter ended
December 31,
 For the year ended
December 31,
 2020 2019 2020 2019
Gross profit       
Services$37,304  $37,610  $141,084  $165,513 
International9,434  10,032  31,046  43,145 
Products and Systems2,992  2,835  6,826  8,639 
Corporate and eliminations(385) 106  (425)  
 $49,345  $50,583  $178,531  $217,297 


Mistras Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Reconciliation of
Segment and Total Company Income from Operations (GAAP) to Income before Special Items (non-GAAP)
(in thousands)

 For the quarter ended
December 31,
 For the year ended 
December 31,
 2020 2019 2020 2019
Services:       
Income (loss) from operations (GAAP)$12,836  $8,878  $(44,222) $49,593 
Impairment charges    86,200   
Pension withdrawal expense  359    848 
Bad debt provision for troubled customers, net of recoveries  240    3,018 
Reorganization and other costs16  100  141  302 
Legal settlement and litigation charges, net441    81   
Acquisition-related expense (benefit), net151  (36) 337  541 
Income before special items (unaudited, non-GAAP)$13,444  $9,541  $42,537  $54,302 
        
International:       
Income (loss) from operations (GAAP)$567  $701  $(21,855) $5,856 
Impairment charges    19,862   
Reorganization and other costs977  (89) 1,290  266 
Bad debt provision for troubled customers, net of recoveries      20 
Income (loss) before special items (unaudited, non-GAAP)$1,544  $612  $(703) $6,142 
        
Products and Systems:       
Loss from operations (GAAP)$1,000  $695  $(936) $(529)
Reorganization and other costs    5  218 
Income (loss) before special items (non-GAAP)$1,000  $695  $(931) $(311)
        
Corporate and Eliminations:       
Loss from operations (GAAP)$(9,751) $(7,939) $(34,204) $(30,783)
Legal settlement and litigation charges, net(301)   (301)  
Loss on debt modification    645   
Reorganization and other costs40    177  104 
Acquisition-related expense (benefit), net  (59)   334 
Loss before special items (unaudited, non-GAAP)$(10,012) $(7,998) $(33,683) $(30,345)
        
Total Company       
Income (loss) from operations (GAAP)$4,652  $2,335  $(101,217) $24,137 
Pension withdrawal expense  359    848 
Impairment charges    106,062   
Bad debt provision for troubled customers, net of recoveries  240    3,038 
Reorganization and other costs1,033  11  1,613  890 
Legal settlement and litigation charges, net140    (220)  
Loss on debt modification    645   
Acquisition-related expense (benefit), net151  (95) 337  875 
Income before special items (unaudited, non-GAAP)$5,976  $2,850  $7,220  $29,788 


Mistras Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Summary Cash Flow Information
(in thousands)

 For the quarter ended
December 31,
 For the year ended
December 31,
 2020 2019 2020 2019
Net cash provided by (used in):       
Operating activities$26,011  $18,634  $67,802  $59,110 
Investing activities(4,411) (3,652) (14,969) (25,280)
Financing activities(19,092) (14,616) (44,169) (44,137)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash1,136  278  2,080  (221)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents$3,644  $644  $10,744  $(10,528)


Mistras Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Reconciliation of
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities (GAAP) to Free Cash Flow (non-GAAP)
(in thousands)

 For the quarter ended
December 31,
 For the year ended
December 31,
 2020 2019 2020 2019
        
Net cash provided by operating activities (GAAP)$26,011  $18,634  $67,802  $59,110 
Less:       
Purchases of property, plant and equipment(4,720) (4,772) (15,396) (22,047)
Purchases of intangible assets(65) (169) (376) (873)
Free cash flow (non-GAAP)$21,226  $13,693  $52,030  $36,190 


Mistras Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Reconciliation of
Net Income (Loss) (GAAP) to Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)
(in thousands)

 For the quarter ended
December 31,
 For the year ended
December 31,
 2020 2019 2020 2019
        
      
Net income (loss)$168  $836  $(99,466) $6,080 
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of taxes(13) 7  (5) 20 
Net income (loss) attributable to Mistras Group, Inc.$181  $829  $(99,461) $6,060 
Interest expense3,545  3,633  12,955  13,698 
(Benefit) provision for income taxes939  (2,134) (14,706) 4,359 
Depreciation and amortization8,946  9,993  35,705  38,533 
Share-based compensation expense1,539  1,174  5,851  5,766 
Legal settlement and litigation charges, net140    (220)  
Pension withdrawal expense  359    848 
Loss on debt modification    645   
Impairment charges    106,062   
Acquisition-related expense (benefit), net151  (95) 337  875 
Reorganization and other costs1,033  11  1,613  890 
Bad debt provision for troubled customers, net of recoveries  240    3,038 
Foreign exchange (gain) loss1,135  466  3,100  (535)
Adjusted EBITDA$17,609  $14,476  $51,881  $73,532 


Mistras Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Reconciliation of
Net Income (Loss) (GAAP) and Diluted EPS (GAAP) to Net Income (Loss) Excluding Special Items (non-GAAP)
and Diluted EPS Excluding Special Items (non-GAAP)
(tabular dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 For the quarter ended December 31, For the year ended December 31,
 2020 2019 2020 2019
Net income (loss) attributable to Mistras Group, Inc. (GAAP)$181  $829  $(99,461) $6,060 
Special items1,324  515  108,437  5,651 
Tax impact on special items(242) 47  (14,475) (1,260)
Special items, net of tax$1,082  $562  $93,962  $4,391 
Net income (loss) attributable to Mistras Group, Inc. Excluding Special Items (non-GAAP)$1,263  $1,391  $(5,499) $10,451 
        
Diluted EPS (GAAP)$0.01  $0.03  $(3.41) $0.21 
Special items, net of tax0.04  0.02  3.22  0.15 
Diluted EPS Excluding Special Items (non-GAAP)$0.05  $0.05  $(0.19) $0.36 





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