A. M. Castle & Co. Reports Third Quarter 2016 Results

Company continues positive momentum; posts improved financial results in third quarter


OAK BROOK, Ill., Nov. 09, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A. M. Castle & Co. (NYSE:CAS) (the “Company” or “Castle”), a global distributor of specialty metal and supply chain solutions, today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2016.

Highlights: 

  • Improved third quarter 2016 gross material margin to 26.0%, compared to 25.3% in second quarter 2016 and 23.4% in third quarter 2015; 

  • Reduced operating expenses to $41.1 million in third quarter 2016, compared to $44.3 million in second quarter 2016 and $50.8 million in third quarter 2015;

  • Achieved sequential quarterly improvement in loss from continuing operations  and  EBITDA with majority of branches now contributing positively; and 

  • Completed the sale of 50% equity ownership in Kreher Steel Company, LLC ("Kreher") to the Company's former joint venture partner.

President and CEO Steve Scheinkman commented, "Although we experienced the normal industry slowdown during the summer months, our transformation continued to take hold as we achieved our third sequential quarter of EBITDA improvement. While our sales tons per day decreased by 6.0% compared to the previous quarter, our financial performance improved as we were able to increase our gross margins to align with Castle's traditional margins in more stable markets even in this historically low commodity price environment. We also increased our margin per ton by 6.2% while at the same time reducing our operating expenses. We experienced a greater decline in volume in the United States and Canada than reported by the MSCI for the industry; however, our foreign subsidiaries performed above the MSCI rate."

Scheinkman continued, "As we expect volumes to decrease in the fourth quarter due to normal holiday and year-end seasonality, and with the industrial end markets yet to show signs of significant recovery, we remain focused on improving the efficiencies of our overall operations. We continue to work to win new contracts and to grow our participation in both of our end markets. Additionally, we have lowered both our fixed overhead and variable costs without sacrificing on-time delivery performance, safety, or quality. We expect these synergies to help us leverage profitability on new contracts and allow us to increase our transactional business at accretive net margins. Coupled with our recently-announced commitments intended to improve liquidity and working capital, we believe that we are well positioned to take advantage of the eventual recovery in the industrial end markets and improvement in commodity prices."

Third Quarter 2016 Results

Net sales in the third quarter 2016 were $124.9 million, a decrease of $25.7 million, or 17.1%, compared to the third quarter 2015. The decrease in net sales was mainly attributable to a 9.6% decrease in tons sold per day compared to the same period last year, coupled with a 4.4% decrease in average selling prices. Impacting the decrease in net tons sold per day were sales attributable to the Company's Houston and Edmonton operations, which were closed in February 2016. Excluding the tons sold from the Houston and Edmonton operations in the third quarter 2015, tons sold per day decreased 3.6% in the third quarter 2016 compared to the third quarter 2015. 

Gross material margin, calculated as net sales less cost of materials (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) divided by net sales, was 26.0% in the third quarter 2016, compared to 25.3% in the second quarter 2016 and 23.4% in the third quarter 2015. Loss from continuing operations in the third quarter 2016 was $18.3 million, compared to a loss from continuing operations of $21.3 million in the second quarter 2016 and $28.8 million in the third quarter 2015. Negative EBITDA from continuing operations in the third quarter 2016 was $4.8 million, compared to negative EBITDA from continuing operations of $6.9 million in the second quarter 2016 and $13.6 million in the third quarter 2015.

Executive Vice President and CFO, Pat Anderson, commented, "Positive branch-level operating results were generated by the majority of our reporting locations during the quarter. The number of branches contributing positively has grown throughout the year and we are executing specific steps at all branches, including those performing below expectations, to drive increased contribution. This, paired with a gross material margin rate that is more in line with Castle’s historical performance in more stable markets, is a very encouraging development as we enter the fourth quarter."

Net cash used in operating activities of continuing operations was $10.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to $13.1 million of net cash used in operating activities of continuing operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Net cash from investing activities of $85.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 is primarily attributable to cash proceeds from the sale of Total Plastics Inc. ("TPI") and the sale of the Company's 50% equity interest in Kreher. The proceeds from the sale of TPI and Kreher were used to pay down the Company's long-term debt. Net cash used in financing activities was $68.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The Company had $12.5 million of borrowings outstanding under its revolving credit facility at September 30, 2016, and $42.0 million of additional unrestricted borrowing capacity available under its revolving credit facility, compared with $66.1 million in borrowings and $30.1 million of additional unrestricted borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility at December 31, 2015.  Total long-term debt outstanding, net of unamortized discount, unamortized debt issuance costs and the derivative liability for the embedded conversion feature of the Company's convertible notes, was $235.6 million at September 30, 2016 and $317.6 million at December 31, 2015. Refer to the "Total Long-Term Debt" table below for details related to the Company’s outstanding debt obligations.

Scheinkman concluded, “While we continue to demonstrate progress, especially at the end of the current quarter, we are cautious heading into the seasonally-slow year end months where volumes are traditionally lower. We are also very pleased with the recently announced debt repayment of $27.5 million made today and the support from a world-class syndicate of lenders who provided commitment letters for the new $100 million term loan facilities. Finally, the transaction between W.B. & Co. and Raging Capital and the new settlement agreement between Raging Capital and the Company will bring additional stability to our Board of Directors and allow Castle to focus solely on returning to profitability and future success. Our momentum is building and we are growing more confident about our prospects for 2017 and beyond."

Webcast Information

Management will hold a conference call at 11:00 a.m. ET today to review the Company's results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2016 and discuss market conditions and business outlook. The call can be accessed via the internet live or as a replay. Those who would like to listen to the call may access the webcast through a link on the investor relations page of the Company’s website at http://www.castlemetals.com/investors or by calling (800) 708-4540 or (847) 619-6397 and citing code 4363 2636#.

An archived version of the conference call webcast will be available for replay at the link above approximately three hours following its conclusion, and will remain available until the next earnings conference call.

About A. M. Castle & Co.

Founded in 1890, A. M. Castle & Co. is a global distributor of specialty metal and supply chain services, principally serving the producer durable equipment, commercial aircraft, heavy equipment, industrial goods, construction equipment, and retail sectors of the global economy. Its customer base includes many Fortune 500 companies as well as thousands of medium and smaller-sized firms spread across a variety of industries. It specializes in the distribution of alloy and stainless steels; nickel alloys; aluminum and carbon. Together, Castle and its affiliated companies operate out of 21 metals service centers located throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Its common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "CAS".

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This release and the financial statements included in this release include non-GAAP financial measures. The non-GAAP financial information should be considered supplemental to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. However, we believe that non-GAAP reporting, giving effect to the adjustments shown in the reconciliation contained in this release and in the attached financial statements, provides meaningful information and therefore we use it to supplement our GAAP reporting and guidance. Management often uses this information to assess and measure the performance of our business. We have chosen to provide this supplemental information to investors, analysts and other interested parties to enable them to perform additional analysis of operating results, to illustrate the results of operations giving effect to the non-GAAP adjustments shown in the reconciliations and to assist with period-over-period comparisons of such operations. The exclusion of the charges indicated herein from the non-GAAP financial measures presented does not indicate an expectation by the Company that similar charges will not be incurred in subsequent periods.

In addition, the Company believes that the use and presentation of EBITDA, which is defined by the Company as income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income taxes plus depreciation and amortization, and interest expense, less interest income, is widely used by the investment community for evaluation purposes and provides investors, analysts and other interested parties with additional information in analyzing the Company’s operating results. Adjusted non-GAAP net income (loss), adjusted non-GAAP income (loss) from continuing operations, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted gross material margin which are defined as reported net income (loss), reported income (loss) from continuing operations, EBITDA and gross margin adjusted for non-cash items and items which are not considered by management to be indicative of the underlying results, are presented as the Company believes the information is important to provide investors, analysts and other interested parties additional information about the Company’s financial performance. Operating expenses, excluding restructuring expense (income), is presented as management believes it provides useful information to investors, analysts and other interested parties regarding the ongoing expenses of the Company. Management uses EBITDA, adjusted non-GAAP net income (loss), adjusted non-GAAP net income (loss) from continuing operations, adjusted EBITDA, operating expenses excluding restructuring expense (income) and adjusted gross material margin to evaluate the performance of the business.

Cautionary Statement on Risks Associated with Forward Looking Statements

Information provided and statements contained in this release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such forward-looking statements only speak as of the date of this release and the Company assumes no obligation to update the information included in this release.  Such forward-looking statements include information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations, including descriptions of our business strategy, and the cost savings and other benefits that we expect to achieve from our facility closures and organizational changes.  These statements often include words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “predict,” “plan,” "should," or similar expressions.  These statements are not guarantees of performance or results, and they involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions.  Although we believe that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there are many factors that could affect our actual financial results or results of operations and could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including our ability to effectively manage our operational initiatives and restructuring activities, the impact of volatility of metals prices, the cyclical and seasonal aspects of our business, our ability to effectively manage inventory levels, our ability to successfully complete the remaining steps in our strategic refinancing process, and the impact of our substantial level of indebtedness, as well as including those risk factors identified in Item 1A “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, as amended, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter ended June 30, 2016. All future written and oral forward-looking statements by us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to above. Except as required by the federal securities laws, we do not have any obligations or intention to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances in the future, to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or for any other reason.

    
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS   
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
UnauditedSeptember 30, September 30,
 2016 2015 2016 2015
Net sales$124,893  $150,571  $419,433  $505,439 
Costs and expenses:       
Cost of materials (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)92,406  115,300  323,808  411,834 
Warehouse, processing and delivery expense19,561  25,893  63,772  76,826 
Sales, general, and administrative expense16,820  18,023  51,486  60,338 
Restructuring expense912  1,204  14,674  17,653 
Depreciation and amortization expense3,845  5,666  12,498  17,447 
Total costs and expenses133,544  166,086  466,238  584,098 
Operating loss(8,651) (15,515) (46,805) (78,659)
Interest expense, net8,743  10,156  28,711  30,345 
Unrealized gain on embedded debt conversion option(6,285)   (7,569)  
Debt restructuring loss, net    6,562   
Other expense, net6,250  2,270  4,587  4,532 
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in losses of joint venture(17,359) (27,941) (79,096) (113,536)
Income tax expense (benefit)903  (629) 1,099  (22,141)
Loss from continuing operations before equity in losses of joint venture(18,262) (27,312) (80,195) (91,395)
Equity in losses of joint venture(36) (1,460) (4,177) (134)
Loss from continuing operations(18,298) (28,772) (84,372) (91,529)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes(1,688) 955  6,246  2,333 
Net loss$(19,986) $(27,817) $(78,126) $(89,196)
        
Basic (loss) earnings per common share:       
Continuing operations$(0.57) $(1.22) $(3.02) $(3.89)
Discontinued operations(0.05) 0.04  0.22  0.10 
Net basic loss per common share$(0.62) $(1.18) $(2.80) $(3.79)
        
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share:       
Continuing operations$(0.57) $(1.22) $(3.02) $(3.89)
Discontinued operations(0.05) 0.04  0.22  0.10 
Net diluted loss per common share$(0.62) $(1.18) $(2.80) $(3.79)
        
Negative EBITDA from continuing operations (a)$(4,807) $(13,579) $(42,064) $(65,878)
Adjusted negative EBITDA from continuing operations(b)

$(7,668) $(8,043) $(22,656) $(25,920)
        
(a) A non-GAAP financial measure, which represents loss from continuing operations before interest, taxes, and depreciation and amortization. See reconciliation to loss from continuing operations below.
(b) A non-GAAP financial measure, which represents negative EBITDA as defined above, adjusted for certain non-GAAP adjustments.  Refer to "Reconciliation of Adjusted Non-GAAP Net Loss to Reported Net Loss" table for additional details on these non-GAAP adjustments.
 


           
Reconciliation of EBITDA and of Adjusted
EBITDA to Reported Net Loss:
    Three
Months 
     
(Dollars in thousands)Three Months Ended
 Ended Nine Months Ended
 
UnauditedSeptember 30, June 30, September 30, 
 2016 2015 2016 2016 2015 
Net loss, as reported$(19,986) $(27,817) $(21,270) $(78,126) $(89,196) 
Less: Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes(1,688) 955    6,246  2,333  
Loss from continuing operations(18,298) (28,772) (21,270) (84,372) (91,529) 
Depreciation and amortization expense3,845  5,666  4,260  12,498  17,447  
Interest expense, net8,743  10,156  9,599  28,711  30,345  
Income tax expense (benefit)903  (629) 531  1,099  (22,141) 
Negative EBITDA from continuing operations(4,807) (13,579) (6,880) (42,064) (65,878) 
Non-GAAP adjustments (a)(2,861) 5,536  3,521  19,408  39,958  
Adjusted negative EBITDA from continuing operations$(7,668) $(8,043) $(3,359) $(22,656) $(25,920) 
                     
(a) Refer to "Reconciliation of Adjusted Non-GAAP Net Loss to Reported Net Loss" table for additional details on these amounts. 
  


Reconciliation of Adjusted Non-GAAP Net Loss to Reported Net Loss:    Three 
    
(Dollars in thousands)  Months   
UnauditedThree Months Ended Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30, June 30, September 30,
 2016 2015 2016 2016 2015
Net loss, as reported$(19,986) $(27,817) $(21,270) $(78,126) $(89,196)
Non-GAAP adjustments:         
Restructuring activity(a)912  1,204  2,044  15,126  39,988 
Gain on purchase commitments(b)(843)     (843)  
Debt restructuring (gain) loss    (513) 6,562   
Foreign exchange (gain) loss on intercompany loans3,570  2,709  (1,024) 2,484  4,142 
Foreign exchange gain on intercompany loans of joint venture    (4) (175)  
Impairment of equity investment in joint venture(c)    4,636  4,636   
Impairment of goodwill of equity investment joint venture(d)  1,763      1,763 
Unrealized gain on commodity hedges(215) (140) (334) (813) (313)
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment        (5,622)
Unrealized gain on embedded debt conversion option(6,285)   (1,284) (7,569)  
Non-GAAP adjustments(2,861) 5,536  3,521  19,408  39,958 
Tax effect of adjustments         
Adjusted non-GAAP net loss$(22,847) $(22,281) $(17,749) $(58,718) $(49,238)
Less: Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes(1,688) 955    6,246  2,333 
Adjusted non-GAAP loss from continuing operations$(21,159) $(23,236) $(17,749) $(64,964) $(51,571)
          
(a) Restructuring activity includes amounts recorded to restructuring expense. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, amount includes $452 in inventory write-down charges recorded to cost of materials in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, amount includes $22,335 in inventory write-down charges, recorded to cost of materials in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(b) Amount recorded to cost of materials in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, which represents adjustment to the liability for purchase commitments associated with the Company's Houston and Edmonton locations that were closed in February 2016.
(c) The Company determined that its 50% investment in its Kreher joint venture was impaired as of June 30, 2016. The Company recorded a charge of $4,636 in equity in losses of joint venture in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations to reflect the loss associated with the write-down of the asset to its estimated fair value.
(d) The Company's 50% joint venture, which was sold in August 2016, determined that its goodwill balance of $3,525 was impaired as of September 30, 2015. The Company recorded $1,763 in equity in losses of joint venture in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations to reflect is share of the goodwill impairment.
 


Reconciliation of Gross Material Margin and Adjusted Gross Material Margin:    Three
    
(Dollars in thousands)  Months  
UnauditedThree Months Ended
 Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30, June 30, September 30,
 2016 2015 2016 2016 2015
Net sales, as reported$124,893  $150,571  $130,692  $419,433  $505,439 
Sale of Houston and Edmonton inventory      (27,107)  
Adjusted net sales$124,893  $150,571  $130,692  $392,326  $505,439 
          
Cost of materials, as reported (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)$92,406  $115,300  $97,644  $323,808  $411,834 
Sale of Houston and Edmonton inventory      (27,107)  
Gain on purchase commitments843      843   
Restructuring activity in cost of materials      (452) (22,335)
Adjusted cost of materials (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)$93,249  $115,300  $97,644  $297,092  $389,499 
Gross margin (calculated as net sales, as reported, less cost of materials, as reported)$32,487  $35,271  $33,048  $95,625  $93,605 
Gross material margin (calculated as gross margin divided by net sales, as reported)26.0% 23.4% 25.3% 22.8% 18.5%
Adjusted gross margin (calculated as adjusted net sales less adjusted cost of materials)$31,644  $35,271  $33,048  $95,234  $115,940 
Adjusted gross material margin (calculated as adjusted gross margin divided by adjusted net sales)25.3% 23.4% 25.3% 24.3% 22.9%
               


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETSAs of
(In thousands, except par value data)September 30, December 31,
Unaudited2016 2015
ASSETS   
Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents$10,005  $11,100 
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $2,141 and $2,380, respectively76,899  73,191 
Inventories179,396  216,090 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets11,609  10,424 
Income tax receivable1,583  346 
Current assets of discontinued operations  37,140 
Total current assets279,492  348,291 
Investment in joint venture  35,690 
Intangible assets, net5,637  10,250 
Prepaid pension cost10,372  8,422 
Deferred income taxes416  378 
Other noncurrent assets6,624  6,109 
Property, plant and equipment:   
Land2,071  2,519 
Buildings37,402  39,778 
Machinery and equipment127,690  153,955 
Property, plant and equipment, at cost167,163  196,252 
Accumulated depreciation(115,279) (131,691)
Property, plant and equipment, net51,884  64,561 
Noncurrent assets of discontinued operations  19,805 
Total assets$354,425  $493,506 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)   
Current liabilities:   
Accounts payable$51,856  $45,606 
Accrued and other current liabilities37,401  28,078 
Income tax payable1,512  33 
Current portion of long-term debt142  7,012 
Current liabilities of discontinued operations  11,158 
Total current liabilities90,911  91,887 
Long-term debt, less current portion235,454  310,614 
Deferred income taxes  4,169 
Build-to-suit liability13,229  13,237 
Other noncurrent liabilities9,044  7,935 
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations18,513  18,676 
Commitments and contingencies   
Stockholders' equity (deficit):   
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value—9,988 shares authorized (including 400 Series B Junior Preferred, $0.00 par value); no shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015   
Common stock, $0.01 par value—60,000 shares authorized; 32,768 shares issued and 32,639 outstanding at September 30, 2016 and 23,888 shares issued and 23,794 outstanding at December 31, 2015327  238 
Additional paid-in capital244,344  226,844 
Accumulated deficit(223,435) (145,309)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(32,950) (33,821)
Treasury stock, at cost—129 shares at September 30, 2016 and 94 shares at December 31, 2015(1,012) (964)
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)(12,726) 46,988 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)$354,425  $493,506 
        


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWSNine Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands)September 30,
Unaudited2016 2015
Operating activities:   
Net loss$(78,126) $(89,196)
Less: Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes6,246  2,333 
Loss from continuing operations(84,372) (91,529)
Adjustments to reconcile loss from continuing operations to net cash used in operating activities of continuing operations:   
Depreciation and amortization12,498  17,447 
Amortization of deferred gain(92)  
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount4,258  6,241 
Debt restructuring loss6,562   
Loss from lease termination4,452   
Unrealized gain on embedded debt conversion option(7,569)  
Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment1,720  (5,741)
Unrealized gain on commodity hedges(813) (313)
Unrealized foreign currency transaction loss2,484  4,142 
Equity in losses of joint venture4,141  134 
Dividends from joint venture  315 
Pension curtailment  3,080 
Deferred income taxes113  (23,310)
Share-based compensation expense916  424 
Other, net679  (12)
Changes in assets and liabilities:   
Accounts receivable(5,128) 18,326 
Inventories34,780  43,838 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets(301) (8,258)
Other noncurrent assets(302) (2,789)
Prepaid pension costs(406) 1,272 
Accounts payable6,026  4,059 
Income tax payable and receivable198  1,188 
Accrued and other current liabilities8,604  18,802 
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations and other noncurrent liabilities865  (400)
Net cash used in operating activities of continuing operations(10,687) (13,084)
Net cash (used in) from operating activities of discontinued operations(6,907) 6,673 
Net cash used in operating activities(17,594) (6,411)
Investing activities:   
Proceeds from sale of investment in joint venture31,550   
Capital expenditures(2,431) (4,526)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment2,829  7,742 
Net cash from investing activities of continuing operations31,948  3,216 
Net cash from (used in) investing activities of discontinued operations53,570  (867)
Net cash from investing activities85,518  2,349 
Financing activities:   
Proceeds from long-term debt581,052  707,200 
Repayments of long-term debt(640,415) (698,696)
Payment of debt restructuring costs(8,677)  
Payments of build-to-suit liability(687) (500)
Net cash (used in) from financing activities(68,727) 8,004 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents(292) (424)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents(1,095) 3,518 
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year11,100  8,454 
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period$10,005  $11,972 
        


Total Long-Term Debt:As of
(Dollars in thousands)September 30, December 31,
Unaudited2016 2015
LONG-TERM DEBT   
12.75% Senior Secured Notes due December 15, 2016$  $6,681 
7.0% Convertible Notes due December 15, 201741  57,500 
12.75% Senior Secured Notes due December 15, 2018204,519  203,319 
Revolving Credit Facility due December 10, 201912,500  66,100 
5.0% Convertible Notes due December 31, 201922,323   
Other, primarily capital leases143  428 
Plus: derivative liability for embedded conversion feature3,284   
Less: unamortized discount(4,502) (12,255)
Less: unamortized debt issuance costs(2,712) (4,147)
Total long-term debt$235,596  $317,626 
Less: current portion142  7,012 
Total long-term portion$235,454  $310,614 
        


 


            

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