ALJ Regional Holdings, Inc. Announces Earnings For The First Quarter Ended December 31, 2017

NEW YORK, Feb. 14, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- ALJ Regional Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALJJ) ("ALJ") announced results today for its first quarter ended December 31, 2017.

ALJ is a holding company, whose primary assets are its subsidiaries Faneuil, Inc. (including the customer management outsourcing business recently acquired from Vertex Business Services LLC, "Faneuil"), Floors-N-More, LLC, dba Carpets N' More ("Carpets"), and Phoenix Color Corp. (including the recently acquired printing components business, "Phoenix"). Faneuil is a leading provider of call center services, back office operations, staffing services, and toll collection services to government and regulated commercial clients across the United States. Carpets is one of the largest floor covering retailers in Las Vegas, Nevada, and a provider of multiple products for the commercial, retail and home builder markets including all types of flooring, countertops, cabinets, window coverings and garage/closet organizers, with four retail locations, as well as a stone and solid surface fabrication facility. Phoenix is a leading manufacturer of book components, educational materials and related products producing value-added components, heavily illustrated books and specialty commercial products using a broad spectrum of materials and decorative technologies.

Our financial statements reflect the operations of Faneuil, Carpets and Phoenix throughout all periods presented, our customer management outsourcing business ("CMO Business") since May 26, 2017, and our recent acquisition of certain assets and liabilities ("Printing Components Business") from Moore-Langen Printing Company, a division of LSC Communications, Inc., since October 2, 2017.

Investment Highlights

Consolidated Results for ALJ

    --  ALJ recognized consolidated revenue of $95.0 million for the three
        months ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $17.3 million, or 22.3%,
        compared to $77.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016
        due to the acquisitions of the CMO Business by Faneuil and the Printing
        Components Business by Phoenix, which together accounted for $13.0
        million of the total revenue increase, and increases in business
        activity in the Faneuil and Carpets segments.  Excluding the impact of
        acquisitions, total revenue increased $4.3 million, or 5.6%.  ALJ
        recognized consolidated revenue of $86.3 million for the three months
        ended September 30, 2017.
    --  ALJ recognized net loss of $5.3 million and loss per share of $0.14
        (diluted) for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to net
        income of $0.6 million and earnings per share (EPS) of $0.02 (diluted)
        for the three months ended December 31, 2016.  Increased revenue was
        offset by restructuring expenses to combine manufacturing facilities at
        Phoenix, higher start-up costs of certain contracts, higher selling,
        general and administrative costs due to increased depreciation and
        amortization expenses related to acquisitions, and increased provision
        for income taxes to reflect a one-time, non-cash deferred income tax
        expense of $4.1 million as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of
        2017.  Excluding such deferred income tax expense, ALJ recognized net
        loss of $1.2 million and loss per share of $0.03 (diluted) for the three
        months ended December 31, 2017.  ALJ recognized net income of $13.8
        million and EPS of $0.37 (diluted) for the three months ended September
        30, 2017, which included additional benefit from income taxes due to the
        reduction of the deferred taxes valuation allowance.  Excluding such
        benefit from income taxes, ALJ recognized net income of $1.7 million and
        EPS of $0.04 (diluted) for the three months ended September 30, 2017.
    --  ALJ recognized adjusted EBITDA of $6.6 million for the three months
        ended December 31, 2017, a decrease of $0.6 million, or 8.8%, compared
        to $7.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016.  Decreased
        adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to higher costs in Carpet's granite
        business, lower volumes for books and components at Phoenix, and
        transition expenses associated with the CMO Business acquisition. ALJ
        recognized adjusted EBITDA of $7.9 million for the three months ended
        September 30, 2017.

Jess Ravich, Executive Chairman of ALJ, said, "While results were challenged this quarter, we continue to focus on growing each of our businesses, generating efficiencies and lowering our overall cost structure to increase shareholder value."


    Amounts in $000's, except
     per share amounts                    Three Months Ended
                                             December 31,
                                             ------------

                                        2017                         2016          $ Change % Change
                                        ----                         ----          -------- --------

                                (unaudited)                  (unaudited)

    Net revenue                                  $94,954                   $77,617            $17,337           22.3%

    Costs and expenses:

    Cost of revenue                               74,910                    60,181             14,729           24.5%

    Selling, general, and
     administrative expense                       19,538                    14,383              5,155           35.8%

    (Gain) loss on disposal of
     assets, net                                   (207)                        8              (215)   NM
                                                    ----                       ---               ----   ---

    Total operating expenses                      94,241                    74,572             19,669           26.4%
                                                  ------                    ------             ------            ----

    Operating income                                 713                     3,045            (2,332)        (76.6%)
                                                     ---                     -----             ------          ------

    Other expense:

    Interest expense, net                        (2,660)                  (2,434)             (226)         (9.3%)
                                                  ------                    ------               ----           -----

    Total other expense                          (2,660)                  (2,434)             (226)         (9.3%)
                                                  ------                    ------               ----           -----

    (Loss) income before income
     taxes                                       (1,947)                      611            (2,558)   NM

    Provision for income taxes                   (3,371)                     (60)           (3,311)   NM
                                                  ------                       ---             ------   ---

    Net (loss) income                           $(5,318)                     $551           $(5,869)   NM
                                                 =======                      ====            =======   ===

    Basic (loss) earnings per
     share of common stock                       $(0.14)                    $0.02            $(0.16)
                                                  ======                     =====             ======

    Diluted (loss) earnings per
     share of common stock                       $(0.14)                    $0.02            $(0.16)
                                                  ======                     =====             ======

    Weighted average shares of
     common stock outstanding:

    Basic                                         37,577                    34,575              3,002
                                                  ======                    ======              =====

    Diluted                                       37,577                    35,712              1,865
                                                  ======                    ======              =====


    NM - Not Meaningful

Results for Faneuil

Anna Van Buren, CEO of Faneuil, stated, "Highlighting Faneuil's first quarter was the award and start of a long term contract with the Virginia Department of Transportation for the operation of its E-ZPass service center and the positive performance of our growing healthcare programs."

Faneuil recognized revenue of $51.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 compared to $38.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016. Revenue increased $13.4 million, or 35.3%. Excluding the impact of the CMO Business, revenue increased $4.9 million, or 12.9%, due to increased revenue from our existing customer base. Faneuil recognized revenue of $44.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017.

Faneuil recognized segment adjusted EBITDA of $3.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 compared to $3.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016. Higher expenses for training and call handling for the new CMO Business offset the increased net revenue recognized. Excluding the impact of the CMO Business, segment adjusted EBITDA increased by $0.1 million, or 1.5%. Faneuil recognized segment adjusted EBITDA of $2.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017.

Faneuil estimates its revenue for the three months ending March 31, 2018 to be in the range of $41.8 million to $46.3 million, compared to $36.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Faneuil's contract backlog expected to be realized within the next twelve months as of December 31, 2017 was $97.8 million compared to $81.7 million as of December 31, 2016 and $91.6 million as of September 30, 2017. Faneuil's total contract backlog as of December 31, 2017 was $274.6 million as compared to $223.6 million as of December 31, 2016 and $236.8 million as of September 30, 2017.

Results for Carpets

Steve Chesin, CEO of Carpets, stated, "This quarter's result was impacted by additional costs in our granite business. We are focused on improving operating performance in each of our businesses and continue to see benefits from a strong housing market in Las Vegas."

Carpets recognized revenue of $16.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 compared to $15.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016. Revenue increased $1.1 million, or 7.1%, which was primarily attributable to higher sales volumes from cabinet and granite products. Carpets recognized revenue of $17.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017.

Carpets recognized negative segment adjusted EBITDA of $0.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 compared to negative segment adjusted EBITDA of less than $0.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016. Segment adjusted EBITDA decreased by $0.7 million due to higher expenses associated with the granite business. Carpets recognized segment adjusted EBITDA of $0.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017.

Carpets estimates its revenue for the three months ending March 31, 2018 to be in the range of $15.4 million to $17.0 million, compared to $17.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Carpets' contract backlog expected to be realized within the next twelve months as of December 31, 2017 was $17.9 million compared to $37.2 million as of December 31, 2016 and $21.8 million as of September 30, 2017. Carpets total contract backlog as of December 31, 2017 was $52.3 million compared to $82.2 million as of December 31, 2016 and $57.5 million as of September 30, 2017.

Results for Phoenix

Marc Reisch, CEO of Phoenix, stated, "The increase in first quarter revenues for Phoenix Color was due to sales from the Moore-Langen acquisition, completed on October 2, 2017, offset in part by lower component and book sales versus prior year. Segment adjusted EBITDA of $4.2 million was $0.2 million lower than 2016 due to the lower component and book sales, and the continued startup costs related to the transition of packaging and commercial print manufacturing, offset in part from the contribution from the sales from the Moore-Langen acquisition."

Phoenix recognized revenue of $26.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 compared to $24.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016. Revenue increased $2.8 million, or 11.7%. Excluding the impact of acquisitions, revenue decreased $1.7 million, or 6.9%, due to lower sales volumes for books and components. Phoenix recognized revenue of $24.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017.

Phoenix recognized segment adjusted EBITDA of $4.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 compared to $4.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016. Segment adjusted EBITDA decreased by $0.2 million, or 4.3% mainly due to lower sales volumes for books and components. Phoenix recognized segment adjusted EBITDA of $5.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017.

Phoenix estimates its revenue for the three months ending March 31, 2018 to be in the range of $25.9 million to $28.7 million as compared to $24.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Phoenix's contract backlog expected to be realized within the next twelve months as of December 31, 2017 was $71.6 million compared to $59.3 million as of December 31, 2016 and $55.5 million as of September 30, 2017. Phoenix's total contract backlog as of December 31, 2017 was $188.1 million as compared to $155.2 million as of December 31, 2017 and $145.7 million as of September 30, 2017.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In our earnings releases, prepared remarks, conference calls, presentations, and webcasts, we may present certain adjusted financial measures that are not calculated according to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"). These non-GAAP financial measures are designed to complement the GAAP financial information presented in this release because management believes they present information regarding ALJ that is useful to investors. The non-GAAP financial measures presented should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, the comparable GAAP financial measure.

We present adjusted EBITDA because we believe it is frequently used by analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of our company. ALJ defines adjusted EBITDA as net (loss) income before interest expense, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization expense, stock-based compensation expense, restructuring expense, acquisition-related expense, (gain) loss on sales of assets, and other non-recurring items. Adjusted EBITDA measures are not calculated in the same manner by all companies and, accordingly, may not be an appropriate measure for comparison. Below is a reconciliation of our net (loss) income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to adjusted EBITDA:


    Amounts in $000's                     Three Months Ended
                                             December 31,
                                             ------------

                                        2017                         2016        $ Change % Change
                                        ----                         ----        -------- --------

                                (unaudited)                  (unaudited)

    Net (loss) income                           $(5,318)                   $551           $(5,869)      NM

    Interest expense                               2,660                   2,434                226             9.3%

    Provision for income taxes                     3,371                      60              3,311       NM

    Depreciation & amortization                    4,833                   3,961                872            22.0%

    Stock-based compensation                         293                     183                110            60.1%

    Restructuring expenses                           835                      31                804               NM

    Acquisition-related
     expenses                                        123                             -              123         -

    (Gain) loss on sales of
     assets                                        (207)                      8              (215)      NM
                                                    ----                     ---               ----      ---

    Consolidated Adjusted
     EBITDA                                       $6,590                  $7,228              (638)          (8.8%)
                                                  ======                  ======               ====            =====


    NM - Not Meaningful

Supplemental Consolidated Financial Information - Segment Revenue, Segment Adjusted EBITDA, and Debt


    Amounts in $000's              Three Months Ended
                                      December 31,
                                      ------------

                                2017                                  2016         $ Change % Change
                                ----                                  ----         -------- --------

                        (unaudited)                           (unaudited)

    Net Revenue

    Faneuil                                           $51,474              $38,051                   $13,423      35.3%

    Carpets                                            16,650               15,544                     1,106       7.1%

    Phoenix Color                                      26,830               24,022                     2,808      11.7%
                                                       ------               ------                     -----       ----

    Total Revenue                                     $94,954              $77,617                   $17,337      22.3%
                                                      =======              =======                   =======       ====



    Amounts in $000's            Three Months Ended
                                    December 31,
                                    ------------

                                2017                                  2016         $ Change % Change
                                ----                                  ----         -------- --------

                        (unaudited)                           (unaudited)

    Segment Adjusted
     EBITDA

    Faneuil                                            $3,711               $3,761                     $(50)    (1.3%)

    Carpets                                             (726)                (47)                    (679)   NM

    Phoenix Color                                       4,160                4,348                     (188)    (4.3%)

    Corporate                                           (555)               (834)                      279       33.5
                                                         ----                 ----                       ---       ----

    Total Segment
     Adjusted EBITDA                                   $6,590               $7,228                    $(638)    (8.8%)
                                                       ======               ======                     =====      =====


    NM - Not Meaningful

As of December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017, consolidated debt and consolidated net debt was comprised of the following (exclusive of deferred financing costs):


    Amounts in $000's December 31,          September 30,

                              2017                    2017
                              ----                    ----

                      (unaudited)

    Term loan payable               $92,091                $91,018

    Line of credit                   13,662                  5,500

    Capital leases                    9,305                  7,250
                                      -----                  -----

    Total debt                      115,058                103,768
                                    -------                -------


    Cash                              2,027                  5,630
                                      -----                  -----

    Net debt                       $113,031                $98,138
                                   ========                =======

As of December 31, 2017, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.


                        Financial Covenants Comparison

                              At December 31, 2017
                              --------------------

                        (actual)                       (required)

    Leverage Ratio                     3.38                       < 3.50

    Fixed Charges Ratio                1.35                       > 1.25

About ALJ Regional Holdings, Inc.

ALJ Regional Holdings, Inc. is the parent company of (i) Faneuil, Inc., a leading provider of outsourcing and co-sourced services to both commercial and government entities in the healthcare, utility, toll and transportation industries, (ii) Floors-N-More, LLC, dba Carpets N' More, one of the largest floor covering retailers in Las Vegas and a provider of multiple finishing products for commercial, retail and home builder markets including all types of flooring, countertops, cabinets, window coverings and garage/closet organizers, with 4 retail locations, and (iii) Phoenix Color Corp., a leading manufacturer of book components, educational materials and related products producing value-added components, heavily illustrated books and specialty commercial products using a broad spectrum of materials and decorative technologies.

Forward-Looking Statements

ALJ's first quarter ended December 31, 2017 earnings release and related communications contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. Such statements include information regarding our expectations, goals or intentions regarding the future, including but not limited to statements about our financial projections and business growth, the impact of the CMO Business on Faneuil's operations, cost-cutting measures implemented by Carpets, the integration of Color Optics and Moore Langen by Phoenix, and other statements including the words "will" and "expect" and similar expressions. You should not place undue reliance on these statements, as they involve certain risks and uncertainties, and actual results or performance may differ materially from those discussed in any such statement. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are discussed in our Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available through EDGAR on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

ALJ Regional Holdings, Inc.

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