Foraco International Reports Q2 2017

TORONTO and MARSEILLE, France, Aug. 1, 2017 /CNW/ - Foraco International SA (TSX: FAR) (the "Company" or "Foraco"), a leading global provider of mineral drilling services, today reported unaudited financial results for its second quarter 2017. All figures are reported in US Dollars (US$), unless otherwise indicated.

"Our commercial activity in Q2 2017 confirmed the positive trend reported last quarter with revenue increasing 13% compared to the same quarter last year despite continued pressure on prices and the postponement of certain contracts. All geographical areas benefit from this improved activity led by North America with new clients, both majors and juniors, and new-contracts. The utilization rate of our rigs was 39% during the quarter compared to 36% in Q2 2017 and 35% in Q1 2017" said Daniel Simoncini, Chairman and Co-CEO of Foraco. "Based on the backlog secured to date, we are relatively optimistic for the second half of the year, although our clients remain cautious regarding long-term commitments."

"During the quarter, our operations performed as expected. We generated positive EBITDA of US$ 3.6m or 10% of revenue, up 38% compared to the same quarter last year. We continued to keep capex and working capital requirements under control. Following the completion of our financial reorganization on May 11, we have positive cash available amounting to $17.4m as at June 30, 2017 and could limit the reimbursement of our debt to US$3.8m over the next 12 months and less than US$10m over the next 4 years," commented Jean-Pierre Charmensat, Co-CEO and Chief Financial Officer. "From both a commercial and financial standpoint, nothing prevents us from being reasonably positive looking forward. We also believe that our strategy consisting in maintaining our footprint in all our geographical areas during the low cycle of the industry puts us in a good position to benefit from the expected recovery in the market."

Three months Q2 2017 Highlights

Revenue

    --  Q2 2017 revenue amounted to US$ 36.6 million compared to US$ 32.3
        million in Q2 2016, an increase of 13%.
    --  The utilization rate was 39% in Q2 2017 compared to 36% in Q2 2016.

Profitability

    --  The Q2 2017 gross margin including depreciation within cost of sales was
        US$ 4.1 million compared to US$ 2.1 million in Q2 2016. The increase of
        activity generated better absorption of fixed operational costs.


    --  SG&A costs increased by US$ 0.5 million. As a percentage of revenue,
        SG&A represented 13% in Q2 2017 compared to 14% during the same period
        last year.


    --  EBIT amounted to US$ (1.1) million in Q2 2017 compared to US$ (2.5)
        million in Q2 2016, a US$ 1.4 million improvement mainly as a result of
        increased Gross Margin.


    --  During the quarter, EBITDA amounted to US$ 3.6 million compared to US$
        2.6 million for the same quarter last year.
    --  Capital expenditure was US$ 2.2 million in Q2 2017 compared to US$ 0.9
        million in Q2 2016. This Capex is mainly linked to new contracts to be
        executed in the next quarters.

Cash flow and net debt

    --  H1 2017 free cash flow was US$ (4.1) million vs. US$ (9.3) million in H1
        2016, an improvement mainly attributable to higher cash generated by
        operations and lower working capital requirements.


    --  On May 11, 2017, the Company completed the reorganization of its debt
        and received net proceeds amounting to US$ 17.3 million.
    --  The net debt was US$ 114.1 million as at June 30, 2017 compared to US$
        103.3 million as at December 31, 2016. This increase is mainly due to
        the negative free cash flow (US$ 4.1 million) and the adverse effect of
        foreign exchange rates on the debt denominated in Euros (US$ 7.1
        million).

H2 2017 Highlights

Revenue

    --  H1 2017 revenue amounted to US$ 66.9 million compared to US$ 56.4
        million in H1 2016, an increase of 19%.

Profitability

    --  The H1 2017 gross margin including depreciation within cost of sales was
        US$ 5.6 million compared to US$ (0.7) million in H1 2016. The increase
        of activity generated better absorption of fixed operational costs.


    --  SG&A costs increased by US$ 1.2 million. As a percentage of revenue,
        SG&A remained flat at 15% in H1 2017 compared to the same period last
        year.


    --  EBIT amounted to US$ (4.5) million in H1 2017 compared to US$ (10.5)
        million in H1 2016, a US$ 6.0 million improvement mainly as a result of
        increased Gross Margin.
    --  During the period, EBITDA amounted to US$ 4.9 million compared to US$
        1.0 million for the same period last year.

Selected financial data


                            (In thousands of US$) Three-month  period ended         Six-month  period ended
                                 (unaudited)               June 30,                         June 30,

                                                                       2017                             2016          2017       2016
                                                                       ----                             ----          ----       ----


    Revenue                                                                  36,567                            32,297         66,891       56,425


    Gross profit / (loss) (1)                                                 4,050                             2,128          5,555        (664)

    As a percentage of sales                                                  11.1%                             6.6%          8.3%       -1.2%


    EBITDA                                                                    3,610                             2,625          4,912        1,005

    As a percentage of sales                                                   9.9%                             8.1%          7.3%        1.8%


    Operating profit / (loss)                                               (1,088)                          (2,510)       (4,548)    (10,520)

    As a percentage of sales                                                  -3.0%                            -7.8%         -6.8%      -18.6%


    Profit / (loss) for the period                                          (2,206)                          (3,305)       (5,992)    (11,619)
    ------------------------------                                           ------                            ------         ------      -------


    Attributable to:

    Equity holders of the Company                                           (2,068)                          (3,828)       (5,448)    (11,905)

    Non-controlling interests                                                 (138)                              623          (544)         286


    EPS (in US cents)

    Basic                                                                    (2.27)                           (4.28)        (6.00)     (13.31)

    Diluted                                                                  (2.27)                           (4.28)        (6.00)     (13.31)


    (1)              This line item includes
                     amortization and depreciation
                     expenses related to operations

Financial results

Revenue


    (In thousands of US$) - (unaudited) Q2 2017        % change      Q2 2016         H1 2017        % change     H1 2016
                                        -------        --------      -------         -------        --------     -------

    Reporting segment
    -----------------

    Mining                                      34,097           15%         29,556          62,105           26%        49,340

    Water                                        2,470          -10%          2,741           4,796          -32%         7,085
                                                 -----           ---           -----           -----           ---          -----

    Total revenue                               36,567           13%         32,297          66,891           19%        56,425
                                                ------           ---          ------          ------           ---         ------


    Geographic region
    -----------------

    Europe, Middle East and Africa              13,615            5%         12,920          24,976           12%        22,279

    North America                                9,661           51%          6,416          18,129           40%        12,913

    South America                                8,071            4%          7,788          15,475           25%        12,388

    Asia Pacific                                 5,220            1%          5,173           8,311           -6%         8,845
                                                 -----           ---           -----           -----           ---          -----

    Total revenue                               36,567           13%         32,297          66,891           19%        56,425
                                                ------           ---          ------          ------           ---         ------

Q2 2017

Q2 2017 revenue amounted to US$ 36.6 million compared to US$ 32.3 million in Q2 2016, an increase of 13%.

In EMEA, revenue increased by 5% from US$ 12.9 million in Q2 2016 to US$ 13.6 million in Q2 2017. The increased activity in the mining segment in Africa and Europe has more than offset the lower activity in the water segment in Africa.

Revenue in North America increased by 51% from US$ 6.4 million in Q2 2016 to US$ 9.7 million in Q2 2017. Compared to last year, the Company benefited from new contracts with Juniors and increased activity with Majors.

Revenue in South America increased by 4% from US$ 7.8 million in Q2 2016 to US$ 8.1 million in Q2 2017 but remains stable after elimination of the foreign exchange impact.

In Asia Pacific, revenue remained flat at US$ 5.2 million due to the combination of lower activity in Australia partially compensated by an increase of activity in New Caledonia.

H1 2017

H1 2017 revenue amounted to US$ 66.9 million compared to US$ 56.4 million in H1 2016, an increase of 19%.

In EMEA, revenue increased by 12% from US$ 22.3 million in H1 2016 to US$ 25.0 million in H1 2017. The increased activity in the mining segment in Africa and Europe has more than offset the lower activity in the water segment in Africa.

Revenue in North America increased by 40% from US$ 12.9 million in H1 2016 to US$ 18.1 million in H1 2017. Compared to last year, the Company benefited from new contracts with Juniors and increased activity with Majors. Some rigs were transferred from other areas to North America.

Revenue in South America increased by 25% from US$ 12.4 million in H1 2016 to US$ 15.5 million in H1 2017. The increase is mainly attributable to the earlier start of projects in Brazil (+27%) and Chile (+12%).

In Asia Pacific, revenue decreased from US$ 8.8 million to US$ 8.3 million, a decrease of 6% due to lower activity in Q1 2017. The decrease of activity in Australia was partially compensated by an increase of activity in New Caledonia.

Gross profit


    (In thousands of
     US$) -
     (unaudited)     Q2 2017       % change      Q2 2016        H2 2017       % change    H1 2016
                     -------       --------      -------        -------       --------    -------

    Reporting
     segment
    ---------

    Mining                   3,928           88%         2,093          5,388          n/a        (721)

    Water                      122          249%            35            167          n/a           57
                               ---           ---            ---            ---          ---          ---

    Total gross
     profit /(loss)          4,050           90%         2,128          5,555          n/a        (664)
                             -----           ---          -----          -----          ---         ----

Q2 2017

Q2 2017 gross margin including depreciation within cost of sales was US$ 4.1 million compared to US$ 2.1 million in Q2 2016. The increase of activity allowed a better absorption of fixed operational costs.

H1 2017

H1 2017 gross margin including depreciation within cost of sales was US$ 5.6 million compared to US$ (0.7) million in H1 2016. The increase of activity allowed a better absorption of fixed operational costs.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses


    (In thousands of US$) - (unaudited)          Q2 2017       % change     Q2 2016       H2 2017       % change    H1 2016
                                                 -------       --------     -------       -------       --------    -------


    Selling, general and administrative expenses         4,882          11%         4,418         9,798          14%        8,597

Q2 2017

SG&A costs increased by US$ 0.5 million. As a percentage of revenue, SG&A represented 13% in Q2 2017 compared to 14% during the same period last year.

H1 2017

SG&A costs increased by US$ 1.2 million. As a percentage of revenue, SG&A remained flat at 15% compared to the same period last year.

Operating result


                          (In thousands of US$) - (unaudited) Q2 2017         % change       Q2 2016           H2 2017           % change       H1 2016
                                                              -------         --------       -------           -------           --------       -------

    Reporting segment
    -----------------

    Mining                                                              (880)          -58%          (2,070)           (4,010)            57%            (9,350)

    Water                                                               (208)          -53%            (440)             (538)            54%            (1,170)
                                                                         ----            ---              ----               ----             ---              ------

    Total gross profit / (loss)                                       (1,088)          -57%          (2,510)           (4,548)            57%           (10,520)
                                                                       ------            ---            ------             ------             ---             -------

Q2 2017

Operating loss was US$ 1.1 million, a US$ 1.5 million improvement mainly as a result of increased gross margin.

H1 2017

Operating loss was US$ 4.5 million, a US$ 6.0 million improvement mainly as a result of increased gross margin.


Financial position

The following table provides a summary of the Company's cash flows for H1 2017 and H1 2016:


    (In thousands of US$)                                                      H1 2017         H1 2016
                                                                               -------         -------


    Cash generated by/(used in) operations before working capital requirements           4,912             (24)

    Working capital requirements                                                       (2,646)         (4,653)

    Interest and tax                                                                   (2,761)         (2,198)

    Net cash flow generated by / (used in) operating activities                          (494)         (6,875)


    Purchase of equipment in cash                                                      (3,596)         (2,464)


    Free cash flow                                                                     (4,091)         (9,339)


    Settlement of dispute                                                                    -           (934)

    Debt variance                                                                       14,822            4,569

    Dividends paid to minority shareholders in affiliates                                    -           (500)

    Acquisition of treasury shares                                                        (27)            (86)

    Net cash generated by / (used in) financing activities                              14,795            3,049


    Net cash variation                                                                  10,704          (6,290)


    Foreign exchange differences                                                           425              262


    Variation in cash and cash equivalents                                              11,129          (6,028)
                                                                                        ------           ------

In H1 2017, the net cash flow used by operating activities amounted to US$ 0.5 million compared to US$ 6.9 million used during H1 2016. This improvement is mainly related to the increase in activity.

Working capital requirements was a negative US$ 2.6 million during H1 2017 compared to a negative US$ 4.7 million in H1 2016.

During the period, Capex amounted to US$ 3.6 million in cash, compared to US$ 2.5 million in cash in H1 2016. The Company purchased 3 rigs for contracts and retired 3 from service. The total rig count remains unchanged at 302.

Free cash flow was US$ (4.1) million in H1 2017 compared to US$ (9.3) million in H1 2016.

New bonds net of transaction costs paid during the period, amounting to US$ 2.5 million, generated a net cash inflow of US$ 17.3 million using the exchange rate at transaction date. During the same period, the Company reimbursed US$ 3.0 million and issued US$ 0.5 million of new debt to finance capex.

Following the debt reorganization, the maturity of financial debt as at June 30, is as follows:


    in thousands of US$                                        June 30, 2017
    -------------------                                        -------------


    Credit lines                                                        7,078

    Long-term debt

               Within 1 year                                           3,827

               Between 1 and 2 years                                   2,430

               Between 2 and 3 years                                   2,390

               Between 3 and 4 years                                   1,299

               Between 4 and 5 years                                 114,426
               ---------------------                                 -------

    Total                                                          131,450

Bank guarantees as at June 30, 2017 totaled US$ 5.0 million compared to US$ 17.9 million as at December 31, 2016. The Company benefits from a confirmed contract guarantee line of EUR 12.7 million (US$ 14.5 million).

As at June 30, 2017, cash and cash equivalents totaled US$ 17.3 million compared to US$ 6.2 million as at December 31, 2016.

Going concern and impairment testing

Current economic conditions make forecasting difficult, and there is the possibility that the Company's actual operating performance during the coming year may be different from expectations. Going concern is assessed based on internal forecasts and projections that take into account reasonably possible changes in the Company's operating performance and the completion of the debt reorganization.

On May 11, 2017, the Company completed its debt reorganization consisting in (i) a new money injection of EUR23 million (US$ 25 million) in the form of bonds with a 5-year term, including EUR18 million (US$ 19.8 million) available at closing, and (ii) postponing the instalment of most of the Company's existing long-term financing which takes the form of 5-year term subordinated bonds. Proceeds from the US$ 19.8 million net of transaction costs paid amounted to US$ 17.3 million as at June 30, 2017.

The Company believes that it will have adequate financial resources to continue in operation and meet its financial commitments for a period of at least twelve months. Accordingly, the Company continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.

Currency exchange rates

The exchange rates for the periods under review are provided in the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Q2 2017.

Non-IFRS measures

EBITDA represents Net income before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and non-cash share based compensation expenses. EBITDA is a non-IFRS quantitative measure used to assist in the assessment of the Company's ability to generate cash from its operations. The Company believes that the presentation of EBITDA is useful to investors because it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in the drilling industry. EBITDA is not defined in IFRS and should not be considered to be an alternative to Profit for the period or Operating profit or any other financial metric required by such accounting principles.

Net debt corresponds to the current and non-current portions of borrowings and the consideration payable related to acquisitions, net of cash and cash equivalents.

Reconciliation of EBITDA is as follows:


                    (In
                 thousands
                     of
                    US$)    Q2 2017         Q2 2016          H1 2017           H1 2016

                (unaudited)


     Operating
     profit
     /
     (loss)                         (1,088)         (2,510)          (4,549)           (10,520)

     Depreciation
     expense                          4,669            5,042             9,403              10,451

     Non-
     cash
     employee
     share-
     based
     compensation                        29               93                58                 174

     Settlement
     related
     to
     the
     2012
     acquisition
     in
     Australia                            -               -                -                900
                                        ---             ---              ---                ---

    EBITDA                            3,610            2,625             4,912               1,005
                                      -----            -----             -----               -----

Outlook

The Company's business strategy is to actively prepare for the next growth phase of the metallic commodities cycle in the best possible conditions through the development and optimization of its services offered across its range of geographical regions, industry sectors, commodities and customers. The Company expects it will execute its strategy primarily through organic growth in the near future.

Conference call and webcast

On August 1, 2017, Company Management will conduct a conference call at 9:00 am ET to review the financial results. The call will be hosted by Daniel Simoncini, Chairman and co-CEO, and Jean-Pierre Charmensat, co-CEO and CFO.

You can join the call by dialing 1-888-231-8191 or 1-647-427-7450. You will be put on hold until the conference call begins. A live audio webcast of the Conference Call will also be available through:

http://event.on24.com/r.htm?e=1477338&s=1&k=9960C35B07400AF002F36231D427227E

An archived replay of the webcast will be available for 90 days.

About Foraco International SA

Foraco International SA (TSX: FAR) is a leading global mineral drilling services company that provides a comprehensive and reliable service offering in mining and water projects. Supported by its founding values of integrity, innovation and involvement, Foraco has grown into the third largest global drilling enterprise with a presence in 22 countries across five continents. For more information about Foraco, visit www.foraco.com.

"Neither TSX Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release."

Caution concerning forward-looking statements

This document may contain "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements and information include estimates, forecasts, information and statements as to Management's expectations with respect to, among other things, the future financial or operating performance of the Company and capital and operating expenditures. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "will", "should", "plans", "expects", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "budget", and "scheduled" or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements and information are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements and information are not guarantees and there can be no assurance that such statements and information will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form dated March 31, 2017, which is filed with Canadian regulators on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements and information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All written and oral forward-looking statements and information attributable to Foraco or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements

SOURCE Foraco International SA