Tower International Reports First Quarter Results and Affirms Earnings and Free Cash Flow Outlook for 2018

Tower International Reports First Quarter Results and Affirms Earnings and Free Cash Flow Outlook for 2018

LIVONIA, Mich., May 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Tower International, Inc. (NYSE: TOWR), a leading global manufacturer of engineered automotive structural metal components and assemblies, today announced first quarter 2018 results and affirmed its earnings and free cash flow outlook for 2018.

    --  Revenue for the first quarter was $564 million compared with $498
        million in the first quarter of 2017 representing a 13 percent increase.
    --  Net income was $17.3 million or $0.83 per share essentially equal to the
        first quarter last year. As detailed below, this year's first quarter
        included certain items that, in aggregate, increased results by $27
        thousand. Excluding these items and comparable items in the first
        quarter of 2017, adjusted earnings per share amounted to $0.82, an
        increase of 8 percent from the $0.76 reported a year ago.
    --  Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $53.1 million slightly ahead of the
        Company's outlook and up 16 percent from $45.7 million a year ago.
    --  For the quarter, net cash used by continuing operating activities was
        $16 million. Cash disbursed for purchases of equipment totaled $29
        million resulting in Free Cash Flow of negative $45 million. This
        compares with negative Free Cash Flow of $72 million in the first
        quarter 2017.
    --  Full year 2018 outlook includes:
        --  Revenue of $2.15 billion, reflecting primarily net new business of
            $125 million and favorable foreign exchange;
        --  Adjusted EBITDA of $230 million;
        --  Diluted Adjusted EPS of $4.10 per share - up 9 percent from 2017;
            and
        --  Free Cash Flow of $50 million, with strong free cash flow in the
            second half of the year more than offsetting the expected cash
            outflow in the first half of the year.
    --  The Company's outlook for second quarter 2018 includes revenue of $560
        million, Adjusted EBITDA of $58 million and Diluted Adjusted Earnings
        Per Share of $1.08.

"Tower delivered solid financial results in the first quarter as Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS were slightly ahead of our previous outlook," said CEO Jim Gouin. "Revenue for the quarter increased 13 percent as Tower continues to benefit from the secular trends of outsourcing and a continued production mix shift from cars to trucks and SUVs. This mix shift helped Tower's North American revenue to grow by 16 percent while the industry production declined by 3 percent. These trends, in combination with our solid backlog of net new business, gives us further confidence that we will continue to grow our revenue faster than the industry in total."

Tower to Host Conference Call Today at 11 a.m. EDT

Tower will discuss its first quarter 2018 results and other related matters in a conference call at 11 a.m. EDT today. Participants may listen to the audio portion of the conference call either through a live audio webcast on the Company's website or by telephone. The slide presentation and webcast can be accessed via the investor relations portion of Tower's website www.towerinternational.com. To dial into the conference call, domestic callers should dial (866) 393-4576, international callers should dial (706) 679-1462. An audio recording of the call will be available approximately two hours after the completion of the call. To access this recording, please dial (855) 859-2056 (domestic) or (404) 537-3406 (international) and reference Conference I.D. #6385526. A webcast replay will also be available and may be accessed via Tower's website.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release includes the following non-GAAP financial measures: "adjusted EBITDA", "adjusted EBITDA margin", "adjusted earnings per share", and "free cash flow". We define adjusted EBITDA as net income/(loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, restructuring items and other adjustments described in the reconciliations provided in this press release. Adjusted EBITDA margin represents Adjusted EBITDA divided by revenues, Adjusted earnings per share exclude certain income and expense items described in the reconciliation provided in this press release. Free cash flow is defined as cash provided by continuing operating activities less cash disbursed for purchases of property, plant and equipment. We use adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted earnings per share, and free cash flow as supplements to information provided in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") in evaluating our business and they are included in this press release because they are principal factors upon which our management assesses performance and in certain instances in measuring performance for compensation purposes. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP are set forth below. The non-GAAP measures presented above are not measures of performance under GAAP. These measures should not be considered as alternatives for the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Other companies in our industry may define these non-GAAP measures differently than we do and, as a result, these non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies in our industry; and certain of our non-GAAP financial measures exclude financial information that some may consider important in evaluating our performance. Given the inherent uncertainty regarding mark to market adjustments of financial instruments, potential gain or loss on our Discontinued Operations, potential restructuring expenses, and expenses related to our long-term incentive compensation programs in any future period, a reconciliation of forward-looking financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP is not feasible. Consequently, any attempt to disclose such reconciliations would imply a degree of precision that could be confusing or misleading to investors. The magnitude of these items, however, may be significant.

Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors

This press release contains statements which constitute forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to statements regarding the Company's projected full year earnings, cash flow and revenues, net new business backlog, business growth, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin and free cash flow. The forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "project," "target," and other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and are based upon management's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. The following important factors, as well as risk factors described in our reports filed with the SEC, could cause our actual results to differ materially from estimates or expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements:

    --  global automobile production volumes;
    --  the financial condition of our customers and suppliers;
    --  our ability to make scheduled payments of principal or interest on our
        indebtedness and comply with the covenants and restrictions contained in
        the instruments governing our indebtedness;
    --  our ability to refinance our indebtedness;
    --  risks associated with our non-U.S. operations, including foreign
        exchange risks and economic uncertainty in some regions;
    --  any increase in the expense and funding requirements of our pension and
        other postretirement benefits;
    --  our customers' ability to obtain equity and debt financing for their
        businesses;
    --  our dependence on our largest customers;
    --  pricing pressure from our customers;
    --  work stoppages or other labor issues affecting us or our customers or
        suppliers;
    --  our ability to integrate acquired businesses;
    --  our ability to take advantage of emerging secular trends;
    --  risks associated with business divestitures; and
    --  costs or liabilities relating to environmental and safety regulations.

We do not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

Contact:
Derek Fiebig
Executive Director, Investor & External Relations
(248) 675-6457
fiebig.derek@towerinternational.com


                                                                                                   TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                                                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

                                                                                     (Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts - unaudited)


                                                                                                                                                          Three Months Ended March 31,
                                                                                                                                                          ----------------------------

                                                                                                                                                                                           2018       2017
                                                                                                                                                                                           ----       ----


    Revenues                                                                                                                                                                           $563,506   $497,590

    Cost of sales                                                                                                                                                                       503,660    441,290
                                                                                                                                                                                        -------    -------

    Gross profit                                                                                                                                                                         59,846     56,300

    Selling, general, and administrative expenses                                                                                                                                        32,234     29,225

    Amortization expense                                                                                                                                                                    112        103

    Restructuring and asset impairment charges, net                                                                                                                                       1,548      3,911
                                                                                                                                                                                          -----      -----

      Operating income                                                                                                                                                                   25,952     23,061

    Interest expense                                                                                                                                                                      5,162        453

    Interest income                                                                                                                                                                         157         47

    Net periodic benefit income                                                                                                                                                             558        479

    Other expense                                                                                                                                                                             -       575
                                                                                                                                                                                            ---       ---

    Income before provision for income taxes and income from discontinued operations                                                                                                     21,505     22,559

    Provision  for income taxes                                                                                                                                                           5,067      6,496
                                                                                                                                                                                          -----      -----

    Income from continuing operations                                                                                                                                                    16,438     16,063

    Income from discontinued operations, net of tax                                                                                                                                         862      1,350
                                                                                                                                                                                            ---      -----

            Net income                                                                                                                                                                   17,300     17,413

         Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests                                                                                                                        -        68
                                                                                                                                                                                            ---       ---

    Net income attributable to Tower International, Inc.                                                                                                                                $17,300    $17,345
                                                                                                                                                                                        =======    =======


    Weighted average basic shares outstanding                                                                                                                                        20,556,613 20,425,216

    Weighted average diluted shares outstanding                                                                                                                                      20,951,973 20,820,457


    Basic income per share attributable to Tower International, Inc.:

    Income per share from continuing operations                                                                                                                                           $0.80      $0.78

    Income per share from discontinued operations                                                                                                                                          0.04       0.07

    Income per share                                                                                                                                                                       0.84       0.85


    Diluted income per share attributable to Tower International, Inc.:

    Income per share from continuing operations                                                                                                                                           $0.79      $0.77

    Income per share from discontinued operations                                                                                                                                          0.04       0.06

    Income per share                                                                                                                                                                       0.83       0.83


    Dividends declared per share                                                                                                                                                          $0.12      $0.11


                                                                                          TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                                            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                                                                              (Amounts in thousands - unaudited)


                                                                                                                                     March 31,            December 31,

                                                                                                                                                     2018                    2017
                                                                                                                                                     ----                    ----


                                                                           ASSETS

    Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                     $65,602                $123,688

    Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,429 and $1,385                                                                                    333,695                 239,319

    Inventories                                                                                                                                    86,697                  78,745

    Assets held for sale                                                                                                                           44,428                  44,250

    Prepaid tooling, notes receivable, and other                                                                                                   79,755                  78,481

    Total current assets                                                                                                                          610,177                 564,483
                                                                                                                                                  -------                 -------


    Property, plant, and equipment, net                                                                                                           554,549                 535,272

    Goodwill                                                                                                                                       65,732                  63,665

    Deferred tax asset                                                                                                                             82,217                  83,035

    Other assets, net                                                                                                                              14,762                  13,642

    Total assets                                                                                                                               $1,327,437              $1,260,097
                                                                                                                                               ==========              ==========


                                                                   LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

    Short-term debt and current maturities of capital lease obligations                                                                           $31,785                 $42,048

    Accounts payable                                                                                                                              350,896                 323,271

    Accrued liabilities                                                                                                                           142,547                 113,949

    Liabilities held for sale                                                                                                                      17,228                  17,336

    Total current liabilities                                                                                                                     542,456                 496,604
                                                                                                                                                  -------                 -------


    Long-term debt, net of current maturities                                                                                                     344,218                 344,738

    Deferred tax liability                                                                                                                          4,916                   4,807

    Pension liability                                                                                                                              45,577                  47,813

    Other non-current liabilities                                                                                                                  98,649                  96,263

    Total non-current liabilities                                                                                                                 493,360                 493,621
                                                                                                                                                  -------                 -------

    Total liabilities                                                                                                                           1,035,816                 990,225
                                                                                                                                                ---------                 -------


    Stockholders' equity:

    Common stock                                                                                                                                      224                     223

    Additional paid in capital                                                                                                                    344,968                 344,153

    Treasury stock                                                                                                                               (36,882)               (36,408)

    Accumulated surplus                                                                                                                            40,699                  29,712

    Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                                                                                         (57,388)               (67,808)

      Total stockholders' equity                                                                                                                  291,621                 269,872
                                                                                                                                                  -------                 -------


      Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                                                                                               $1,327,437              $1,260,097
                                                                                                                                               ==========              ==========


                                                                                                                        TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                                                                     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                                                                                                            (Amounts in thousands - unaudited)


                                                                                                                                                                     Three Months Ended March 31,
                                                                                                                                                                     ----------------------------

                                                                                                                                                                                                      2018       2017
                                                                                                                                                                                                      ----       ----


    OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    Net income                                                                                                                                                                                     $17,300    $17,413

    Less: Income from discontinued operations, net of tax                                                                                                                                              862      1,350
                                                                                                                                                                                                       ---      -----

    Income from continuing operations                                                                                                                                                              $16,438    $16,063


    Adjustments required to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash used in continuing operating activities:

    Deferred income tax provision                                                                                                                                                                   $3,167     $3,955

    Depreciation and amortization                                                                                                                                                                   21,395     17,766

    Non-cash share-based compensation                                                                                                                                                                  703        499

    Pension income, net of contributions                                                                                                                                                           (2,237)   (2,351)

    Change in working capital and other operating items                                                                                                                                           (55,620)  (84,356)

      Net cash used in continuing operating activities                                                                                                                                           $(16,154) $(48,424)
                                                                                                                                                                                                  --------   --------


    INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    Cash disbursed for purchases of property, plant, and equipment, net                                                                                                                          $(28,942) $(23,909)

      Net cash used in continuing investing activities                                                                                                                                           $(28,942) $(23,909)
                                                                                                                                                                                                  --------   --------


    FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    Proceeds from borrowings                                                                                                                                                                        $4,009   $236,744

    Repayments of  borrowings                                                                                                                                                                     (15,966) (192,426)

    Original issuance discount                                                                                                                                                                           -   (1,808)

    Debt financing costs                                                                                                                                                                                 -   (4,083)

    Dividend payment to Tower stockholders                                                                                                                                                         (2,465)   (2,242)

    Proceeds from stock options exercised                                                                                                                                                              112        938

    Purchase of treasury stock                                                                                                                                                                       (474)     (761)

      Net cash provided by / (used in) continuing financing activities                                                                                                                           $(14,784)   $36,362
                                                                                                                                                                                                  --------    -------


    Discontinued operations:

    Net cash from / (used in) discontinued operating activities                                                                                                                                     $1,605     $(570)

    Net cash used in discontinued investing activities                                                                                                                                             (1,212)     (406)

    Net cash from / (used in) discontinued financing activities                                                                                                                                      (455)       497

      Net cash used in discontinued operations                                                                                                                                                       $(62)    $(479)
                                                                                                                                                                                                      ----      -----


    Effect of exchange rate changes on continuing cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                         $1,856     $1,185
                                                                                                                                                                                                    ------     ------


    NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                                                                                                                                                      $(58,086) $(35,265)


    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:

    Beginning of period                                                                                                                                                                           $123,688    $62,788
                                                                                                                                                                                                  --------    -------


    End of period                                                                                                                                                                                  $65,602    $27,523
                                                                                                                                                                                                   =======    =======


                                                                                 TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                        SEGMENT DATA AND NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURE RECONCILIATIONS

                                                                                     (Amounts in thousands - unaudited)




    Segment Data                                                                     Three Months Ended March 31,

                                                                                                                2018                                   2017
                                                                                                                ----                                   ----

                                                                                          Revenues                                    Adjusted              Revenues          Adjusted
                                                                                                                                       EBITDA                                  EBITDA
                                                                                                                                       ------                                  ------

    Europe                                                                                                  $171,618                                 $8,739          $160,152          $11,176

    North America                                                                                            391,888                                 44,370           337,438           34,549

    Consolidated                                                                                            $563,506                                $53,109          $497,590          $45,725
                                                                                                            ========                                =======          ========          =======



    Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation                                              Three Months Ended March 31,
                                                                                ----------------------------

                                                                                                                2018                                   2017
                                                                                                                ----                                   ----

    Net income attributable to Tower International, Inc.                                                     $17,300                                $17,345

    Restructuring and asset impairment charges, net                                                            1,548                                  3,911

    Depreciation and amortization                                                                             21,395                                 17,766

    Lease expense                                                                                              2,450                                      -

    Acquisition costs and other                                                                                  101                                     75

    Long-term compensation expense                                                                             1,663                                    912

    Interest expense, net                                                                                      5,005                                    406

    Net periodic benefit income                                                                                (558)                                 (479)

    Other expense                                                                                                  -                                   575

    Provision for income taxes                                                                                 5,067                                  6,496

    Income from discontinued operations, net of tax                                                            (862)                               (1,350)

    Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests                                                            -                                    68

    Adjusted EBITDA                                                                                          $53,109                                $45,725
                                                                                                             =======                                =======



    Free Cash Flow Reconciliation                                               Three Months Ended March 31,

                                                                                                                2018                                   2017
                                                                                                                ----                                   ----

    Net cash provided by continuing operating activities                                                   $(16,154)                             $(48,424)

    Cash disbursed for purchases of PP&E                                                                    (28,942)                              (23,909)

    Free cash flow                                                                                         $(45,096)                             $(72,333)
                                                                                                            ========                               ========



    Net Debt Reconciliation                                                              March 31,                                  December 31,

                                                                                                                2018                                   2017
                                                                                                                ----                                   ----

    Short-term debt and current maturities of capital lease obligations                                      $31,785                                $42,048

    Long-term debt, net of current maturities                                                                352,074                                352,886

    Debt issue costs                                                                                         (7,856)                               (8,148)

    Total debt                                                                                               376,003                                386,786

    Less: Cash and cash equivalents                                                                         (65,602)                             (123,688)

    Net debt                                                                                                $310,401                               $263,098
                                                                                                            ========                               ========


                                                                                           TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                                              CERTAIN ITEMS INCLUDED IN NET INCOME

                                                                                  (Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts - unaudited)


                                                                                                                          After tax                  Before tax

                                                                                                                     Three Months Ended          Three Months Ended

                                                                                                                          March 31,                   March 31,
                                                                                                                          ---------                   ---------

                                                                                                                                            2018                        2017       2018        2017
                                                                                                                                            ----                        ----       ----        ----


    Income / (expense) items included in net income, net of tax:

    Restructuring and asset impairment charges, net

      One-time restructuring actions                                                                                                      $(835)                   $(2,155)  $(1,115)   $(3,476)

    Interest expense

      Mark-to-market gain on derivative financial instruments                                                                                  -                      2,655          -      4,282

    Other Expense

      Debt refinancing costs                                                                                                                   -                      (357)         -      (575)

    Discontinued operations

      Income from discontinued operations                                                                                                    862                       1,350        862       1,350

    Noncontrolling interests

      Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests*                                                                                     -                       (68)         -       (68)

      Total items included in net income, net of tax                                                                                         $27                      $1,425
                                                                                                                                             ===                      ======


    Net income attributable to Tower International, Inc.                                                                                 $17,300                     $17,345


    Memo:  Average shares outstanding (in thousands)

    Basic                                                                                                                                 20,557                      20,425

    Diluted                                                                                                                               20,952                      20,820


    Income per common share (GAAP)

    Basic                                                                                                                                  $0.84                       $0.85

    Diluted                                                                                                                                 0.83                        0.83


    Diluted adjusted earnings per share (non-GAAP)                                                                                         $0.82                       $0.76


    * Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests of discontinued operations

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tower-international-reports-first-quarter-results-and-affirms-earnings-and-free-cash-flow-outlook-for-2018-300641622.html

SOURCE Tower International, Inc.