UGRO - urban-gro Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Financial Results and Provides Full Year 2023 Guidance

• Fourth Quarter Revenue of $17.3 million , as compared to revenue guidance of approximately $17.0 million
• Fourth Quarter Net Loss of $4.2 million and negative Adjusted EBITDA ¹ of $1.66 million , as compared to negative Adjusted EBITDA ¹ guidance of approximately $1.5 million
• 2022 Full Year Revenue of $67.0 million , a 7.9% increase over $62.1 million in the prior year period
• 2022 Full Year Net Loss of $15.3 million and negative Adjusted EBITDA ¹ of $3.9 million
• Record project backlog of $93 million as of December 31, 2022, as compared to previously estimated backlog of approximately $87.0 million, a sequential increase of $26 million
• Completed acquisition of Houston, Texas based engineering firm, Dawson Van Orden, Inc. ("DVO") in October 2022
• For Full Year 2023, provides revenue guidance of $100 million to $120 million, and Adjusted EBITDA ¹ guidance of negative $3.0 million to slightly positive
• Company to host conference call and webcast today, March 30, 2023 at 4:30 PM ET

LAFAYETTE, Colo., March 30, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- urban-gro, Inc. (Nasdaq: UGRO) (“urban-gro” or the “Company”), an integrated professional services and design-build firm offering solutions to the Controlled Environment Agriculture (“CEA”) and other commercial sectors, today reported fourth quarter and full year financial results and provided full year 2023 guidance.

Bradley Nattrass, Chairman and CEO, commented, “2022 was a successful year for urban-gro. Despite headwinds we encountered in the cannabis sector, we continued to execute our long-term strategy by adding new capabilities and expertise to our business both organically and through the acquisitions of the construction management company, Emerald, and the engineering firm, DVO. Further, we advanced the business forward by successfully expanding our reach in terms of diversifying both our markets and service capabilities. We strengthened the depth in our leadership team both through our acquisitions and with the appointment of a new, design-build experienced COO, and marked our geographic expansion with the opening of our first European office. Our unique value-added model, which includes our talented team of experts, integrated solutions, and sector diversification, differentiates us as a company that can continue to deliver growth in a turbulent environment. This was evident in our fourth quarter results, where we were able to achieve revenue and Adjusted EBITDA in line with guidance, despite the ongoing softness in cultivation equipment sales in the cannabis sector.”

Mr. Nattrass added, “Looking ahead to 2023, we are focused on continuing to scale and integrate our operations to service the increased demand that is reflected in our record $93 million backlog. We continue to see strong momentum in our design-build and professional services solutions across all sectors, and although early, we anticipate a recovery in the cannabis sector later this year and a corresponding increase in equipment systems sales as well. Until this timing becomes clearer, we remain committed to driving efficiencies in our model, leveraging our team of more than 150 professionals, and optimizing the targeted investments we continue to make in the business, all centered on returning to positive Adjusted EBITDA as soon as possible.”

Fourth Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Revenue was $17.3 million, a sequential increase of $5 million or 40% over $12.4 million in the third quarter of 2022, and a decrease of $1.6 million or 8.6% as compared to $19 million in the prior year period. This decrease from the prior year period was driven by lower equipment systems revenue of $13.3 million, primarily reflecting significantly reduced equipment demand in the U.S. cannabis market as a result of ongoing state-level regulatory delays in the license-awarding process, as well as the lack of movement on passing key legislation impacting the industry. This decrease was partially offset by the accretive acquisition of Emerald Construction Management (“Emerald”) at the end of April 2022 that supported $11.5 million in construction design-build revenue growth, as well as incremental professional services revenue growth of $0.3 million that was associated with the acquisition of DVO at the end of October 2022.

Gross profit was $3.2 million, or 19% of revenue as compared to $4.9 million, or 26% of revenue in the prior year period. The decrease in gross profit was primarily driven by the contribution of lower margin construction design-build revenue from the Emerald acquisition.

Operating expenses were $6.2 million as compared to $5.6 million in the prior year period, representing an increase of $0.6 million. The increase in operating expenses were primarily due to increased headcount from the Emerald and DVO acquisitions and continued investment in the Company's future growth, including our European operations.

Non-operating expenses were $1.3 million as compared to $0.0 million in the prior year, and included an impairment loss of $1.0 million related to settlement of a litigation receivable and $0.4 million in additional contingent consideration expense related to the 2WR acquisition.

Net loss was $4.2 million, or $(0.39) per share as compared to a net loss of $0.6 million, or $(0.06) per share in the prior year period.

Adjusted EBITDA ¹ was negative $1.66 million as compared to a positive $0.5 million in the prior year period. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA ¹ was driven by lower revenues and gross profit, as well as strategic investments in operating expenses to drive growth.

¹ Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Please see the information under “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information” below for a description of Adjusted EBITDA and the table at the end of this press release for a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial information to GAAP results.

Cash position at the end of 2022 was $12.0 million with no bank debt.

Summary Full Year 2022 Financial Results

Revenue was $67.0 million as compared to $62.1 million in the prior year, representing an increase of $4.9 million, or 7.9%. This increase was driven by the acquisitions of 2WR in July 2021, Emerald in April 2022, and DVO in October 2022, partially offset by decreases in equipment systems revenue reflecting significantly reduced demand in the CEA market as a result of ongoing state-level regulatory delays in the license-awarding process, as well as the lack of movement on passing key legislation impacting the industry.

Gross profit was $14.2 million, or 21% of revenue, as compared to $14.8 million, or 24% of revenue in the prior year. The decrease in gross profit was primarily driven by the contribution of lower margin construction design-build revenue from the Emerald acquisition.

Operating expenses were $26.8 million as compared to $15.0 million in the prior year, representing an increase of $11.8 million. Included in 2022 operating expenses are $3.3 million of one-time business development expenses. The remaining increase in operating expenses was primarily driven by increased headcount as a result of the 2WR, Emerald and DVO acquisitions and additional hiring to further build out our teams.

Non-operating expenses were $3.0 million as compared to $0.7 million in the prior year, and included impairment losses of $2.7 million and additional contingent consideration expense of $0.4 million. The $2.7 million of impairment losses were comprised of a $1.0 million settlement of a litigation receivable and $1.7 million for an impairment of an investment. The contingent consideration expense related to the 2WR acquisition.

Net loss was $15.3 million, or $(1.44) per share as compared to a net loss of $0.9 million, or $(0.09) per share, in the prior year.

Adjusted EBITDA ¹ was negative $3.9 million as compared to a positive $2.7 million in the prior year. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA ¹ was primarily the result of increased general and administrative expenses associated with scaling headcount and investment in our European operations. ¹ Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Please see the information under “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information” below for a description of Adjusted EBITDA and the table at the end of this press release for a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial information to GAAP results.

Backlog as of December 31, 2022

Consolidated backlog is unrealized revenue represented by contractually committed construction design-build, equipment systems, and service orders. As of December 31, 2022, total backlog was approximately $93 million in contracts, comprised of $82 million in construction design-build, $6 million of professional services, and $5 million of equipment systems.

The following table summarizes the quarter over quarter change in backlog from the quarter ended September 30, 2022 to the quarter ended December 31, 2022:

M&A Activity

The Company consummated the following acquisitions in the full year 2022:

• On April 29, 2022, the Company purchased Emerald, a construction management firm based in Colorado.
• On October 31, 2022, the Company purchased the assets of DVO, a full-service engineering firm based in Texas.

Geographic Footprint

The Company operates out of offices in five states in the United States, including Colorado, Texas, Georgia, Massachusetts, and Florida. In addition, for its European operations, the Company operates out of an office in the Netherlands.

Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA ¹ Guidance - Full Year 2023 and First Quarter 2023

For the 2023 full year, the Company anticipates consolidated revenue in a range of $100 to $120 million and Adjusted EBITDA ¹ in a range of negative $3 million to slightly positive. For the first quarter 2023, the Company expects revenue to be slightly below that of the fourth quarter 2022 with an increased adjusted EBITDA ¹ loss as a result of the delayed kick-off of two design-build projects that began in March 2023.

Conference Call Details

urban-gro will host a conference call and live audio webcast to discuss the operational and financial results today, March 30, 2023 at 4:30 PM ET. Interested participants and investors may access the conference call by dialing 877-407-3982 (U.S.), or 201-493-6780 (International). The live webcast will be accessible on the Events page of the Investors section of the urban-gro website, ir.urban-gro.com , and will be archived for 90 days following the event.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) attributable to urban-gro, determined in accordance with GAAP, excluding the effects of certain operating and non-operating expenses including, but not limited to, interest income and expense, income taxes, depreciation of tangible assets, amortization of intangible assets, impairment of investments, unrealized exchange losses, debt forgiveness and extinguishment, stock-based compensation expense, one-time and non-recurring expenses, and acquisition costs that we do not believe reflect our core operating performance. We use Adjusted EBITDA as a measure of our operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA is a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure, and it is not a substitute for net income (loss), income (loss) from operations, cash flows from operating activities or any other measure prescribed by GAAP.

Our board of directors and management team focus on Adjusted EBITDA as a key performance and compensation measure. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA assists us in comparing our performance over various reporting periods because it removes from our operating results the impact of items that our management believes do not reflect our core operating performance.

There are limitations to using non-GAAP measures such as Adjusted EBITDA. Although we believe that Adjusted EBITDA can make an evaluation of our operating performance more consistent because it removes items that do not reflect our core operations, other companies in our industry may define Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do. As a result, it may be difficult to use Adjusted EBITDA to compare the performance of those companies to our performance. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as a measure of the income generated by our business or discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business.

About urban-gro, Inc.

urban-gro, Inc.® (Nasdaq: UGRO) is an integrated professional services and design-build firm. We offer value-added architectural, engineering, and construction management solutions to the Controlled Environment Agriculture (“CEA”), industrial, healthcare, and other commercial sectors. Innovation, collaboration, and creativity drive our team to provide exceptional customer experiences. With offices across North American and in Europe, we deliver Your Vision – Built . Learn more by visiting www.urban-gro.com .

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains 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. When used in this release, terms such as “believes,” “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “may,” “projects” and similar expressions and variations as they relate to the Company or its management are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, financial projections, future events, business strategy, future performance, future operations, future demand, backlog, financial position, estimated revenues, losses, adjusted EBITDA, and positive free cash flow, prospects, plans and objectives of management. These and other forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those anticipated or expected, including, among others, our ability to successfully manage and integrate acquisitions, our ability to accurately forecast revenues and costs, competition for projects in our markets, our ability to predict and respond to new laws and governmental regulatory actions, our ability to successfully develop new and/or enhancements to our product offerings and develop a product mix to meet demand, risks related to adverse weather conditions, supply chain issues, rising interest rates, economic downturn or other factors that could cause delays or the cancellation of projects in our backlog or our ability to secure future projects, our ability to maintain favorable relationships with suppliers, risks associated with reliance on key customers and suppliers, our ability to attract and retain key personnel, results of litigation and other claims and insurance coverage issues, risks related to our information technology systems and infrastructure, our ability to maintain effective internal controls, our ability to execute on our strategic plans, our ability to achieve and maintain cost savings, the sufficiency of our liquidity and capital resources, and our ability to achieve our key initiatives for 2023, particularly our growth initiatives. A more detailed description of these and certain other factors that could affect actual results is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, except as may be required by law.

Investor Contacts:

Dan Droller – urban-gro, Inc.
EVP Corporate Development & Investor Relations
-or-
Jeff Sonnek – ICR, Inc.
(720) 730-8160
investors@urban-gro.com

Media Contact:

Mark Sinclair – MATTIO Communications
(650) 269-9530
urbangro@mattio.com