WLMS - Williams Industrial Services Group Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Results

Williams Industrial Services Group Inc. (OTCQX: WLMS) (“Williams” or the “Company”) today reported its financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2018. Unless otherwise noted, amounts and disclosures throughout this release relate to continuing operations.

Tracy Pagliara, President and CEO of Williams, commented, “In early January 2019, the management team finalized a strategic plan to drive exceptional future growth and profitability at Williams and is energized to produce results. We believe the fulfillment of our ambitious strategic initiatives will generate robust and diversified sales and earnings in future years. In the meantime, we are making good progress every day. Our contributions to the significant improvements in productivity and continuing momentum at the Vogtle Units 3 and 4 construction site underscore our view that Williams is the best nuclear projects contractor in the United States. That positions us well to accelerate growth in our core power business, including future long-term nuclear maintenance work. In addition, we are executing well for our mid-stream oil & gas customers in Texas. Our relationships and prospects in the nuclear decommissioning space are expanding. We are drawing on our prior experience with wastewater infrastructure to make a concerted push to win more water-related projects. And, we are now operating our business in Canada with our first contract award as the initial step to break into that market. Our total backlog is currently building and our pipeline is expanding.”

Timothy M. Howsman, Chief Financial Officer, noted, “On March 28, 2019, we postponed the release of our 2018 financial results to allow time to complete financing for our near term, growth working capital requirements for a significant customer outage project in the second quarter. We are pleased to have swiftly resolved the situation. We were able to create a timely solution that included both our customer and lender. The expansion of eligible receivables on our asset-based revolver and our customer’s accommodation with payment timing helped us address the working capital requirements. This kept us on schedule for the project, the completion of our audit, and the timely filing of our Annual Report on Form 10-K.”

Fourth Quarter 2018 Highlights

• Fourth quarter 2018 revenue was relatively unchanged year-over-year at $44.4 million compared with $44.3 million as enhanced performance and expanding scope at Vogtle Units 3 and 4 replaced nonrecurring project scope in the prior-year period.
• Gross margin was 12.0%.
• Total operating expenses were $11.8 million; operating expenses included $2.0 million in restructuring charges and $4.6 million of estimated nonrecurring expenses that will be eliminated as a result of completing the restructuring and transition of the Company’s headquarters. Estimated nonrecurring expenses were related to various efforts to exit the products businesses, salaries and benefits of terminated employees, and transitioning the corporate office and activities from Dallas to Tucker.
• Operating loss for the 2018 fourth quarter was $6.5 million. Estimated adjusted operating income, which excludes restructuring charges and estimated nonrecurring expenses, was about breakeven. See NOTE 1—Non-GAAP Financial Measures in the attached tables for important disclosures regarding Williams’ use of estimated adjusted operating income, as well as a reconciliation of operating loss to estimated adjusted operating income.
• Loss from continuing operations was $2.7 million, improved $0.5 million, when compared with the loss from continuing operations of $3.2 million in the prior-year period.
• Estimated adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $1.0 million. See NOTE 1—Non-GAAP Financial Measures in the attached tables for important disclosures regarding Williams’ use of estimated adjusted EBITDA, as well as a reconciliation of loss from continuing operations to estimated adjusted EBITDA.
• Total backlog grew to $501.6 million, up from $338.0 million at the end of 2017. Backlog at year-end 2018 expected to convert to revenue in 2019 was $173.3 million, or 34.6% of total backlog, compared with $109.6 million, or 32.4% of total backlog, at the end of 2017.

Fourth Quarter 2018 Financial Results Review

Fourth Quarter 2018 Revenue Bridge

Revenue for the fourth quarter was relatively unchanged when compared with the prior-year period as increased activity at Vogtle Units 3 and 4, expanded scope under a long-term agreement and other project revenue more than offset the decrease in revenue from fixed-price contracts completed in the prior-year’s fourth quarter.

Fourth Quarter 2018 Gross Profit Bridge

Gross profit for the quarter declined $2.7 million, yet was 12.0% of revenue. The prior year’s gross profit benefitted from the recognition of $2.8 million of revenue with 100% margin resulting from the resolution of disputed unapproved change orders.

Operating expenses of $11.8 million included $2.0 million of restructuring charges and approximately $4.6 million of estimated nonrecurring expenses related to transitioning the business from a holding company structure into a single operating business. Excluding the total $6.6 million of restructuring charges and estimated nonrecurring expenses, operating expenses would have been $5.2 million. The estimated nonrecurring expenses that will be eliminated as a result of the restructuring are expected to roll off after the first quarter of 2019 and no material additional restructuring charges are anticipated.

Interest expense decreased $5.5 million, or 77%, in the quarter. The fourth quarter of 2017 incurred higher costs of debt due to the amortization of debt issuance costs associated with the repayment of loans.

2018 Financial Results Review

2018 Highlights

• 2018 revenue was up 1% to $188.9 million. Excluding the release of a liquidated damages accrual and the divested Hetsco subsidiary in 2017, revenue was up 4% in 2018.
• Total operating expenses were $39.1 million and included $5.7 million in restructuring charges and approximately $11.9 million of estimated nonrecurring expenses. Excluding the $17.6 million in restructuring charges and estimated nonrecurring expenses, operating expenses would have been $21.5 million, or 11.4% of revenue, a 1,000 basis point improvement over the prior year.
• Operating loss was $10.3 million, an improvement of $11.7 million, or 53%, compared with 2017. Estimated adjusted operating income, which excludes restructuring charges and estimated nonrecurring expenses, was $7.3 million for the year. See NOTE 1—Non-GAAP Financial Measures in the attached tables for important disclosures regarding Williams’ use of estimated adjusted operating income, as well as a reconciliation of operating loss to estimated adjusted operating income.
• Loss from continuing operations was $13.8 million, a significant improvement over the loss from continuing operations of $30.0 million in 2017.
• Estimated adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $11.5 million compared with $(11.7) million in the prior-year period. See NOTE 1—Non-GAAP Financial Measures in the attached tables for important disclosures regarding Williams’ use of estimated adjusted EBITDA, as well as a reconciliation of loss from continuing operations to estimated adjusted EBITDA.

2018 Revenue Bridge

Increased scope of work at Vogtle Units 3 and 4 and the addition of nuclear decommissioning work in 2018 more than offset the decline in revenue related to the fixed price contracts completed in 2017 and the timing of a nuclear outage under a long-term contract. The outage occurs in odd years, so there is a planned outage in 2019.

2018 Gross Profit Bridge

Improved gross profit was the result of increased volume at Vogtle Units 3 and 4 and the improvement from the elimination of the contract losses in 2017. This more than offset the prior year’s benefit from the release of a liquidated damages accrual and the Hetsco divestiture.

Operating expenses included $5.7 million of restructuring charges and approximately $11.9 million of estimated nonrecurring expenses. SG&A as reported was down $5.8 million, or 15%. Through its restructuring and transition in 2018, Williams completed the relocation of its headquarters and the exit of its products businesses.

The $11.7 million improvement in operating loss in 2018 compared with 2017 was the result of higher gross profit, lower costs and increased operating leverage. Interest expense was down $5.6 million, or 39%, on lower borrowings, lower cost of debt and a decline in financing costs.

Balance Sheet

At the end of 2018, Williams had $4.9 million in cash. The Company recently refinanced its term-debt facility with a four-year, $35 million term loan and also secured a three-year, $15 million revolving credit facility.

Mr. Howsman noted, “Our capital priorities for 2019 will continue to be the funding of working capital requirements to support our strong organic growth expectations. We plan to refinance to lower cost debt before the end of 2019 and, once cash reserves build, to make the reduction of debt a higher priority.”

Backlog

Total backlog represents the dollar amount of revenue expected to be recorded in the future for work performed under awarded contracts. Previously, the Company reported backlog as orders from fixed-price contracts plus the amount of revenue the Company expected to receive in the next twelve-month period from cost-plus contracts, regardless of the remaining life of the cost-plus contract. However, the Company believes that reporting the total revenue expected under awarded contracts is more representative of its expected future revenue.

Total backlog as of December 31, 2018 was $501.6 million, up 48% compared with $338.0 million at the end of 2017. Williams estimates that approximately $173.3 million, or 34.6% of total backlog at the end of 2018, will be converted to revenue in 2019. This compares with $109.6 million of backlog at the end of 2017 that the Company anticipated would be converted to revenue in 2018.

Outlook

Mr. Pagliara concluded, “Our outlook for 2019 is positive as a result of strong backlog growth and achieving cost reduction and restructuring objectives during 2018. We began 2019 on track to attain double digit revenue increases with solid gross margins, significant operating leverage and improved cash generation. In fact, we expect revenue in 2019 to grow 22% at the mid-point of our expectations of $220 million to $240 million in revenue for the year and to generate $10 million to $12 million in estimated adjusted EBITDA. We are excited about the numerous possibilities to aggressively scale our core business, expand into new markets and strengthen and diversify our specialty service offerings. Williams is pursuing and winning new customers, while enhancing its stature with existing customers. The Company is concurrently taking decisive action to improve upon its ability to deliver best-in-class execution. As we look to the future, we remain firm in our resolve and belief that the Company has now turned the page as a reinvigorated services-only platform, with its greatest days ahead.” See Note regarding use of estimated adjusted EBITDA and forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures.

For 2019, the Company has raised its expectations for revenue to be in the range of $220 million to $240 million with gross margins of approximately 11% to 13%. SG&A is expected to be approximately 8% to 9% of revenue for the year and estimated adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations should be in the range of $10 million to $12 million. Revenue in the first quarter of 2019 will be the lowest, while the second quarter will have the most revenue because of the timing of a customer outage. See Note regarding use of estimated adjusted EBITDA and forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures.

Update on Board Composition

The Company previously reported it expected to appoint Mr. Steven D. Davis to the Board of Directors after the filing of the 2018 Form 10-K. Mr. Davis continues to consider his position as a director candidate and it may be that he will determine not to join our Board of Directors. If Mr. Davis and our Board of Directors determine that he will become a director, we will publicly announce this decision at the relevant time.

Webcast and Teleconference

The Company will host a conference call on Tuesday, April 2, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time. A webcast of the call and an accompanying slide presentation will be available at www.wisgrp.com. To access the conference call by telephone, listeners should dial 201-493-6780.

An audio replay of the call will be available from 11:00 a.m. Eastern time on the day of the teleconference until the end of day on April 16, 2019. To listen to the audio replay, dial 412-317-6671 and enter conference ID number 13689362. Alternatively, you may access the webcast replay at http://ir.wisgrp.com/, where a transcript will be posted once available.

About Williams

Williams Industrial Services Group has been safely helping plant owners and operators enhance asset value for more than

50 years. The Company provides a broad range of construction, maintenance and modification, and support services to customers in energy, power and industrial end markets. Williams’ mission is to be the preferred provider of construction, maintenance, and specialty services through commitment to superior safety performance, focus on innovation, and dedication to delivering unsurpassed value to its customers.

Additional information about Williams can be found on its website: www.wisg.com.

Forward-looking Statement Disclaimer

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the term set forth in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements include statements or expectations regarding the Company’s restructuring into a services-only operating business and its ability to realize opportunities, including accelerating and funding growth in its core power business, and successfully achieve its growth and strategic initiatives, such as oil & gas and water-related projects and expansion into Canada, expectations for future growth, backlog conversion, revenue, profitability and earnings, the continuing impact of the Company’s cost reduction, reorganization and restructuring efforts, the Company’s ability to implement its liquidity plan, including to refinance its current debt instruments and reduce its debt, ability to improve upon execution of project delivery, the Company’s relationship with current, and ability to obtain new, customers, expectations relating to the Company’s performance, expected work in the energy and industrial markets, and other related matters. These statements reflect the Company’s current views of future events and financial performance and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including its ability to comply with the terms of its debt instruments and access letters of credit, ability to implement strategic initiatives, business plans, and liquidity plans, and ability to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures. Actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties that could cause or contribute to such material differences include, but are not limited to, decreased demand for new gas turbine power plants, reduced demand for, or increased regulation of, nuclear power, loss of any of the Company’s major customers, whether pursuant to the loss of pending or future bids for either new business or an extension of existing business, termination of customer or vendor relationships, cost increases and project cost overruns, unforeseen schedule delays, poor performance by its subcontractors, cancellation of projects, competition, including competitors being awarded business by current customers, damage to the Company’s reputation, warranty or product liability claims, increased exposure to environmental or other liabilities, failure to comply with various laws and regulations, failure to attract and retain highly-qualified personnel, loss of customer relationships with critical personnel, volatility of the Company’s stock price, deterioration or uncertainty of credit markets, changes in the economic and social and political conditions in the United States, including the banking environment or monetary policy, and any suspension of the Company’s continued reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Other important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements are discussed in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the section of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for its 2017 fiscal year titled “Risk Factors.” Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this press release. Except as may be required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, and you are cautioned not to rely upon them unduly.

Financial Tables Follow.

This press release contains financial measures not derived in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). A reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP measure is provided below.

ESTIMATED ADJUSTED EBITDA-CONTINUING OPERATIONS

ESTIMATED ADJUSTED OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

NOTE 1—Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Estimated adjusted EBITDA

Estimated adjusted EBITDA is not calculated through the application of GAAP and is not the required form of disclosure by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Estimated adjusted EBITDA is the sum of our net loss before interest expense, net, and income tax (benefit) expense and unusual gains or charges. It also excludes non-cash charges such as depreciation and amortization. The Company’s management believes estimated adjusted EBITDA is an important measure of operating performance because it allows management, investors and others to evaluate and compare the performance of its core operations from period to period by removing the impact of the capital structure (interest), tangible and intangible asset base (depreciation and amortization), taxes and unusual gains or charges (stock-based compensation, restructuring charges, restatement and other estimated nonrecurring expenses, asset disposition costs, loss on sale of business and net assets held for sale, bank restructuring costs and severance costs), which are not always commensurate with the reporting period in which such items are included. Williams’ credit facility also contains ratios based on EBITDA. Estimated adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to net income or as a better measure of liquidity than net cash flows from operating activities, as determined by GAAP, and, therefore, should not be used in isolation from, but in conjunction with, the GAAP measures. The use of any non-GAAP measure may produce results that vary from the GAAP measure and may not be comparable to a similarly defined non-GAAP measure used by other companies.

Estimated adjusted operating income (loss)

Estimated adjusted operating income is not calculated through the application of GAAP and is not the required form of disclosure by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Estimated adjusted operating income is adjusted for items that are not typical operating expenses and that are not expected to be realized in the future. The Company’s management believes estimated adjusted operating income is an important measure of operating performance because it allows management, investors and others to evaluate and compare the performance of its core operations from period to period by removing the impact of costs that are not core to the operating business. Estimated adjusted operating income should not be considered an alternative to operating income (loss), as determined by GAAP, and, therefore, should not be used in isolation from, but in conjunction with, the GAAP measures. The use of any non-GAAP measure may produce results that vary from the GAAP measure and may not be comparable to a similarly defined non-GAAP measure used by other companies.

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company does not provide a reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to their comparable GAAP financial measures because it could not do so without unreasonable effort due to the unavailability of the information needed to calculate reconciling items and due to the variability, complexity and limited visibility of the adjusting items that would be excluded from the non-GAAP financial measures in future periods. When planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods, the Company does so primarily on a non-GAAP basis without preparing a GAAP analysis.

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