The Globe and Mail

Go to the Globe and Mail homepage

Jump to main navigationJump to main content

Press release from CNW Group

ADF GROUP ANNOUNCES ITS RESULTS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2010

Thursday, December 09, 2010


Highlights:

  • Revenues of $40.3 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2010.



  • Gross margin of 29.6% of revenues for the nine-month period ended October 31, 2010 compared with 27.1% at the same date last year.



  • Net earnings of $0.6 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2010 and $2.7 million for the nine-month period ended at the same date.



  • Available liquidities (including cash, cash equivalents and short term investments) of $20.3 million as at October 31, 2010 exceeded the total debt by $11 million.

TERREBONNE, QC, Dec. 9 /CNW Telbec/ - ADF GROUP INC. ("ADF" or the "Corporation") (ticker symbol: DRX/TSX) closed the third quarter ended October 31, 2010, with revenues of $13.7 million compared with $15.8 million for the same quarter of the previous fiscal year. This decrease is primarily attributable to the different revenue mix and the increase in the Canadian dollar in relation to the U.S. dollar. For the nine-month period ended October 31, 2010, revenues totalled $40.3 million compared with $51.3 million for the same period last year.

Gross margin as a percentage of revenues rose from 24.9% in the third quarter of fiscal 2010 to 25.5% in the third quarter of fiscal 2011. For the nine-month period ended October 31, 2010, the gross margin represented 29.6% of revenues versus 27.1% last year. "This performance is attributable to the quality of the contracts awarded to ADF — the complexity of which notably carries strong added value — combined with the investments made over the past two years to optimize our facilities, and the know-how of our personnel" said Jean Paschini, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.

The third-quarter earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") amounted to $2.1 million, or 15% of revenues compared with $3.3 million or 21% of revenues in the third quarter of the previous fiscal year. For the first nine months of the current fiscal year, EBITDA totalled $7.7 million, or 19% of revenues versus $10.9 million or 21% of revenues last year.

ADF Group closed the quarter with net earnings of $0.6 million or $0.02 per share (basic and diluted), compared with net earnings of $1.4 million or $0.04 per share (basic and diluted) in the same period of the previous year. For the first nine months ended October 31, 2010, net earnings amounted to $2.7 million or $0.08 per share (basic and diluted) compared with net earnings of $5.5 million or $0.15 per share (basic and diluted) in the same period a year earlier. Besides a lower business volume and unfavourable currency fluctuations, this decrease is explained by an increase in the effective tax rate. For information purposes, the higher effective tax rate had a negative impact of $0.01 on third-quarter earnings per share (basic and diluted), although it did not affect the Corporation's cash outflows.

Operating activities generated cash flows of $6.5 million since the beginning of the current fiscal year, contributing to maintain ADF Group in an excellent financial position. As at October 31, 2010, ADF Group had a working capital of $39.2 million for a current ratio of 3.45:1 and total cash (including cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments) of $20.3 million. The Corporation's available short-term liquidities exceeded its total interest-bearing debt by $11 million.

"ADF Group's business environment was practically the same in the third quarter than in the first half of fiscal 2011. We were faced with the slow economic recovery in the United States and the strength of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar. Despite this challenging context, ADF Group remained profitable and financially solid" said Mr. Paschini.

Outlook

As at October 31, 2010, ADF's order backlog amounted to $83 million, compared with $137 million on the same date in 2009. It should be noted that ADF's order backlog as at October 31, 2010 does not entirely reflect the revenues likely to be recognized in upcoming quarters, as it includes a portion only of the contractual changes brought to existing orders at the request of customers during the previous months. Thus, based on ADF's order backlog as at October 31, 2010 and the contractual changes underway, the Corporation estimates that it will be busy with profitable work for the next 12 to 15 months at least.

"Although we remain cautious in light of current market conditions, we are confident as to ADF Group's outlook for the short, medium and long term. We are witnessing increased activity in the non-residential construction sector in Western Canada where we have teamed up with a partner in order to set up an operational centre. In the United States, we believe it will take some time for the industry's activity to return to a more normal level. With this in mind, we will keep our focus on our vision of value creation and niche positioning by bidding exclusively on projects meeting our strict criteria in terms of differentiation, profit margins and cash flow generation, and that fully leverage our expertise. It is by pursuing this strategy that we managed to maintain a good profitability and preserve an excellent financial position during the worst economic crisis of the past 80 years. Likewise, our strategy will best serve the interests of our shareholders when our markets recover, especially since the investments we have made in recent years — in the midst of the economic turmoil — have enhanced our lead over the competition and our ability not only to meet the highest criteria in our industry, but to set new standards" concluded Mr. Jean Paschini.

About ADF Group Inc.

ADF Group Inc. is a North American leader in the connections design and engineering, fabrication and installation of complex steel structures, heavy built-ups, as well as miscellaneous and architectural metals for the non-residential construction industry. ADF is one of the few players in the industry capable of handling highly technically complex mega projects, as well as projects subject to fast-track schedules, in the commercial, institutional, industrial and public sectors.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements reflecting ADF Group's objectives and expectations. These statements are identified by the use of verbs such as "expect" as well as by the use of future or conditional tenses. By their very nature these types of statements involve risks and uncertainty. Consequently, reality may differ from ADF's expectations.

Non-GAAP Measures

EBITDA is a financial measure not prescribed by Canadian generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and is not likely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Management, as well as investors, consider this to be useful information to assist them in assessing the Corporation's profitability and ability to generate funds to finance its operations.

All amounts are in Canadian dollars.

CONFERENCE CALL WITH INVESTORS



To discuss ADF Group's results

for the third quarter and first nine months ended October 31, 2010



Thursday, December 9, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. (Montreal time)



   To participate in the conference call, please dial 1-866-865-3087 a few minutes before the start of the call.   

For those unable to participate, a taped rebroadcast will be available from

Thursday, December 9, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. until midnight Wednesday, December 15, 2010, by dialing

1-800-642-1687; access code 27883045.

The conference call (audio) will also be available at www.cnw.ca,

and archived for a 90-day period.



Members of the media are invited to listen in.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

    Three Months Nine Months
           
Periods Ended October 31,   2010 2009 2010 2009
(In thousands of $ except per-share amounts)   $ $ $ $
           
Revenues      13,687    15,769    40,295    51,269
Cost of goods sold   10,192 11,837 28,369 37,367
Gross margin before foreign exchange variation   3,495 3,932 11,926 13,902
Gain on foreign exchange   (517) (120) (842) (1,446)
Gross margin   4,012 4,052 12,768 15,348
Selling and administrative expenses   1,426 656 4,177 2,965
Earnings before undernoted items:   2,586 3,396 8,591 12,383
Amortization          
  Amortization of property, plant and equipment   758 686 2,265 2,017
  Amortization of intangible assets   86 84 251 238
    844 770 2,516 2,255
Earnings before financial charges (interest income) and income taxes   1,742 2,626 6,075 10,128
Financial charges (interest income)   24 (48) 38 (263)
Earnings before income taxes   1,718 2,674 6,037 10,391
Income taxes          
  Current   171 108 352 283
  Future   917 1,186 2,979 4,643
    1,088 1,294 3,331 4,926
Net earnings and comprehensive income   630 1,380 2,706 5,465
Basic earnings per share   0.02 0.04 0.08 0.15
Diluted earnings per share   0.02 0.04 0.08 0.15
Average number of outstanding shares (in thousands)   32,997 35,322 33,936 35,498
Average number of outstanding diluted shares (in thousands)   33,595 36,187 34,624 36,323
           

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF RETAINED EARNINGS

    Three Months Nine Months
           
Periods Ended October 31,   2010 2009 2010 2009
(In thousands of $)   $ $ $ $
           
Retained earnings, beginning of period      11,875 5,857    9,799 1,772
Net earnings   630 1,380 2,706 5,465
Retained earnings, end of period   12,505 7,237 12,505 7,237
           

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONTRIBUTED SURPLUS

    Three Months Nine Months
           
Periods Ended October 31,   2010 2009 2010 2009
(In thousands of $)   $ $ $ $
           
Contributed surplus, beginning of period      4,903 2,653    3,371 2,175
Stock-based compensation   31 89 219 216
Exercise of options   - (5) (94) (29)
Excess of the book value over the acquisition cost of redeemed subordinate voting shares   507 415 1,945 790
Contributed surplus, end of period   5,441 3,152 5,441 3,152
           

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

       
       
    At October 31, 2010   At January 31, 2010

  (Audited)
(In thousands of $)   $   $
       
ASSETS      
Current      
  Cash and cash equivalents   12,712 5,770
  Short-term investments   7,596 11,652
  Accounts receivable   24,744 14,850
  Income taxes   66 442
  Holdbacks on contracts   667 2,692
  Investment tax credits   536 536
  Work in progress   428 1,574
  Inventories   3,574 3,093
  Prepaid expenses   615 334
  Derivative financial instruments   703 832
  Future income tax assets   3,488 3,182
    55,129 44,957
Holdbacks on long-term contracts   2,876 1,297
Investment tax credits   2,065 2,065
Property, plant and equipment   42,811 42,760
Intangible assets   2,599 2,590
Other assets   253 247
Future income tax assets   5,622 9,452
    111,355 103,368
LIABILITIES      
Current      
  Accounts payable   3,118 1,955
  Accrued charges   1,146 994
  Salaries and fringe benefits payable   896 1,732
  Deferred revenues   8,219 2,242
  Derivative financial instruments   66 -
  Current portion of long-term debt   2,516 2,422
    15,961 9,345
Long-term debt   6,818 4,645
Future income tax liabilities   554 713
    23,333 14,703
Shareholders' equity      
Retained earnings   12,505 9,799
Accumulated other comprehensive income   144 144
    12,649 9,943
Capital stock   69,931 75,351
Contributed surplus   5,442 3,371
    88,022 88,665
    111,355 103,368
       

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

    Three Months Nine Months
           
Periods Ended October 31,   2010 2009 2010 2009
(In thousands of $)   $ $ $ $
           
OPERATING ACTIVITIES          
  Net earnings   630 1,380 2,706 5,465
  Adjustments for:          
    Amortization of property, plant and equipment   758 686 2,265 2,017
    Amortization of intangible assets   86 84 251 238
    Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment   - - (52) -
    Change in the fair value of derivative financial instruments   (127) 689 195 (2,839)
    Non-cash exchange loss   166 2 128 1,178
    Interest capitalized on long-term debt   3 5 11 15
    Stock-based compensation   31 89 219 216
    Future income taxes   917 1,186 2,979 4,643
  Net earnings adjusted for non-monetary items   2,464 4,121 8,702 10,933
  Changes in non-cash operating items          
    Accounts receivable   543 (2,499) (9,894) (7,524)
    Short-term and long-term holdbacks on contracts   (853) 135 446 949
    Income taxes   57 109 376 (137)
    Work in progress   419 127 1,146 (654)
    Inventories   105 335 (481) 381
    Prepaid expenses   270 311 (281) 38
    Accounts payable, accrued charges, salaries and fringe benefits payable   (991) (2,331) 479 (7,249)
    Deferred revenues   4,518 (1,321) 5,977 (441)
    4,068 (5,134) (2,232) (14,637)
    6,532 (1,013) 6,470 (3,704)
           
INVESTING ACTIVITIES          
  Disposal (acquisition) of short-term investments   14 - 4,056 (6,400)
  Acquisition of property, plant and equipment   (111) (1,060) (2,264) (1,782)
  Acquisition of intangible assets   (60) (98) (260) (563)
  Decrease in other assets   (10) (60) (6) (56)
    (167) (1,218) 1,526 (8,801)
           
FINANCING ACTIVITIES          
  Issuances of subordinate voting shares   4 10 168 57
  Issuance of long-term debt   - - 4,370 -
  Repayment of long-term debt   (625) (217) (1,692) (1,684)
  Redemption of subordinate voting shares   (950) (2,234) (3,736) (3,687)
    (1,571) (2,441) (890) (5,314)
Impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange rate on cash   (42) 7 (164) (233)
Net cash inflows (outflows)   4,752     (4,665) 6,942    (18,052)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   7,960 9,103 5,770 22,490
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 1      12,712 4,438    12,712 4,438
Supplemental cash flow information          
  Income taxes paid   102 2 393 206
  Interest (paid) received   (32) (6) 5 107
  Non-cash financing and investing activities:          
    Property, plant and equipment given in exchange for new equipment   - - 139 -
           
  1. At October 31, 2010, cash and cash equivalents were composed of $12,712,000 in cash ($4,416,000 in cash and $22,000 in cash equivalents as at October 31, 2009.)

SEGMENTED INFORMATION

The Corporation operates in the non-residential construction sector, primarily in North America. Its operations include the connections design and engineering, fabrication and installation of complex steel structures, heavy built-ups, as well as miscellaneous and architectural metals.

    Three Months Nine Months
           
Periods ended October 31,      2010 2009 2010 2009
(In thousands of $)   $ $ $ $
           
Revenues          
Canada   4 1,413 567 9,106
United States      13,683    14,356    39,728    42,163
    13,687 15,769 40,295 51,269
           

     
    At October 31, 2010   At January 31,2010

  (Audited)
(In thousands of $) $   $
     
Property, plant and equipment       
Canada 42,705 42,620
United States 106 140
  42,811 42,760
     

During the nine-month period ended October 31, 2010, 89% of the Corporation's revenues were recorded with one client (72% with four clients during the same period in 2009, each of which accounted for more than 10% of revenues.). However, revenues were recorded on five distinct contracts with one client during fiscal year 2011.

For further information:

Source:  ADF Group Inc.
 
Contact:  Jean Paschini, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Jean-François Boursier,CA, Chief Financial Officer
 
Telephone:    (450) 965-1911 / 1 (800) 263-7560
Web Site:   www.adfgroup.com
 
Media:  Mathieu Beaudoin, Morin Relations Publiques
Tel. 514-289-8688, ext. 225
Cell. : 514-473-4649

or

Charles Durivage, Morin Relations Publiques
Tel. 514-289-8688, ext. 223
Cell. : 514-894-4186