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

LIVONIA, Mich., Oct. 29, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Tower International, Inc. (NYSE: TOWR), a leading global manufacturer of engineered automotive structural metal components and assemblies, today announced third quarter 2018 results and affirmed its earnings and free cash flow outlook for 2018.

    --  Revenue for the third quarter was $525 million compared with $462
        million in the third quarter of 2017 representing a 14 percent increase.


    --  Net income was $22.6 million or $1.07 per share increasing from $14.9
        million or $0.72 per share in the third quarter last year. As detailed
        below, this year's third quarter included certain items that, in
        aggregate, decreased results by $117 thousand. Excluding these items and
        comparable items in the third quarter of 2017, adjusted earnings per
        share amounted to $1.08, an increase of 27 percent from the $0.85
        reported a year ago.


    --  Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $57.1 million in-line with the
        Company's outlook and up 18 percent from $48.5 million a year ago.


    --  For the quarter, net cash provided by continuing operating activities
        was $43 million. Cash disbursed for purchases of equipment totaled $25
        million resulting in Free Cash Flow of $18 million.


    --  Full year 2018 outlook includes:
        --  Revenue of $2.17 billion, reflecting primarily net new business of
            $125 million, favorable foreign exchange and higher steel prices;
        --  Adjusted EBITDA of $230 million;
        --  Diluted Adjusted EPS is increased by 10 cents to $4.20 per share;
            and


        --  Free Cash Flow is maintained at $50 million.
    --  The Company's outlook for fourth quarter 2018 includes revenue of $526
        million, Adjusted EBITDA of $61.6 million and Diluted Adjusted Earnings
        Per Share of $1.20.

"We remain balanced in our approach to capital allocation, remaining focused on growing profitably, reducing leverage - as evidenced by our $50 million pay-down of Term Loan debt, and returning capital to shareholders - as evidenced by our recent increase of our quarterly dividend," said CEO Jim Gouin. "Tower delivered solid financial results in the third quarter, growing revenue organically well in excess of the overall auto market and expanding Adjusted EBITDA margins. Revenue for the quarter increased 14 percent as Tower continues to benefit from the secular trends of outsourcing and a continued production mix shift from cars to trucks and SUVs. Tower's North American revenue continued to significantly outpace the market, growing by 20 percent from a year ago."

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

Tower will discuss its third 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. #4576237. 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 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 excludes 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 fourth quarter earnings and revenues, full year earnings, free cash flow and revenues, business growth and adjusted EBITDA.. 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;
    --  changes to U.S. trade and tariff policies and the reaction of other
        countries thereto;
    --  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


                                                      
            
              CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS


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




                                                                                                                                 Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,



                                                                                                                                                                 2018                             2017       2018       2017





     
          Revenues                                                                                                                                         $524,566                         $462,372 $1,644,079 $1,449,887


     
          Cost of sales                                                                                                                                     462,941                          404,332  1,458,549  1,274,429



     
           Gross profit                                                                                                                                      61,625                           58,040    185,530    175,458


     
          Selling, general, and administrative expenses                                                                                                      29,954                           29,667     93,057     87,899


     
          Amortization expense                                                                                                                                  110                              117        330        333


     
          Restructuring and asset impairment charges, net                                                                                                       491                            1,131      2,308      8,379



     
            Operating income                                                                                                                                 31,070                           27,125     89,835     78,847


     
          Interest expense                                                                                                                                    6,048                            5,673     16,465      7,933


     
          Interest income                                                                                                                                        93                               64        362        197


     
          Net periodic benefit income                                                                                                                           558                              713      1,675      1,671


     
          Other expense                                                                                                                                                                                   977        575



     
              Income before provision for income taxes and income from discontinued                                                                          25,673                           22,229     74,430     72,207
       operations


     
          Provision  for income taxes                                                                                                                         3,996                            8,002     14,602     22,170



     
              Income  from continuing operations                                                                                                             21,677                           14,227     59,828     50,037


     
          Income from discontinued operations, net of tax                                                                                                       903                              704      2,428      1,565



     
              Net income                                                                                                                                     22,580                           14,931     62,256     51,602


     
          Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests                                                                                                                                             110



     
               Net income attributable to Tower International, Inc.                                                                                         $22,580                          $14,931    $62,256    $51,492





     
          Weighted average basic shares outstanding                                                                                                      20,605,168                       20,522,001 20,586,599 20,485,722


     
          Weighted average diluted shares outstanding                                                                                                    21,035,802                       20,787,405 20,991,606 20,804,441




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


     
          Income per share from continuing operations                                                                                                         $1.05                            $0.69      $2.91      $2.44


     
          Income per share from discontinued operations                                                                                                        0.04                             0.03       0.12       0.08


     
          Income per share                                                                                                                                     1.10                             0.73       3.02       2.51




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


     
          Income per share from continuing operations                                                                                                         $1.03                            $0.68      $2.85      $2.40


     
          Income per share from discontinued operations                                                                                                        0.04                             0.03       0.12       0.08


     
          Income per share                                                                                                                                     1.07                             0.72       2.97       2.48




     
          Dividends declared per share                                                                                                                        $0.12                            $0.11      $0.36      $0.33


                                                                                             
         
         TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


                                                                                                 
         
             CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


                                                                                               
         
           (Amounts in thousands - unaudited)




                                                                                                                                              
         
     September 30,      
     
     December 31,


                                                                                                                                                                    2018                    2017





                                                       
              
                ASSETS



     Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                                  $47,744                $123,688



     Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,387 and $1,385                                                                                                 280,973                 239,319



     Inventories                                                                                                                                                 93,655                  78,745



     Assets held for sale                                                                                                                                        28,686                  44,250



     Prepaid tooling, notes receivable, and other                                                                                                                48,212                  78,481



       Total current assets                                                                                                                                     499,270                 564,483






     Property, plant, and equipment, net                                                                                                                        547,127                 535,272



     Goodwill                                                                                                                                                    62,164                  63,665



     Deferred tax asset                                                                                                                                          74,410                  83,035



     Other assets, net                                                                                                                                           27,809                  13,642



       Total assets                                                                                                                                          $1,210,780              $1,260,097





                                               
              
                LIABILITIES AND EQUITY



     Short-term debt and current maturities of capital lease obligations                                                                                        $23,136                 $42,048



     Accounts payable                                                                                                                                           303,016                 323,271



     Accrued liabilities                                                                                                                                        121,532                 113,949



     Liabilities held for sale                                                                                                                                   12,667                  17,336



       Total current liabilities                                                                                                                                460,351                 496,604






     Long-term debt, net of current maturities                                                                                                                  294,300                 344,738



     Deferred tax liability                                                                                                                                       4,629                   4,807



     Pension liability                                                                                                                                           39,749                  47,813



     Other non-current liabilities                                                                                                                               93,843                  96,263



       Total non-current liabilities                                                                                                                            432,521                 493,621




          Total liabilities                                                                                                                                     892,872                 990,225






     Stockholders' equity:



      Common stock                                                                                                                                                  224                     223



      Additional paid in capital                                                                                                                                346,915                 344,153



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



      Retained earnings                                                                                                                                          80,711                  29,712



      Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                                                                                                     (73,060)               (67,808)



       Total stockholders' equity                                                                                                                               317,908                 269,872






     Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                                                                                                              $1,210,780              $1,260,097


                                                                                                       
        
        TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


                                                                                                         
        
         CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


                                                                                                          
        
         (Amounts in thousands - unaudited)




                                                                                                                                    Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,



                                                                                                                                                                2018                             2017        2018         2017






              
                OPERATING ACTIVITIES:



              Net income                                                                                                                                    $22,580                          $14,931     $62,256      $51,602



              Less: Income from discontinued operations, net of tax                                                                                             903                              704       2,428        1,565




                Income from continuing operations                                                                                                            21,677                           14,227      59,828       50,037





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



                Deferred income tax provision                                                                                                                $2,201                           $5,402      $9,334      $15,367



                Depreciation and amortization                                                                                                                20,334                           18,321      62,485       54,853



                Non-cash share-based compensation                                                                                                               903                              559       2,512        1,657



                Pension income, net of contributions                                                                                                        (3,408)                         (5,055)    (8,063)     (9,906)



                Change in working capital and other operating items                                                                                           1,378                           12,699    (50,484)    (76,095)



                   Net cash provided by continuing operating activities                                                                                     $43,085                          $46,153     $75,612      $35,913






              
                INVESTING ACTIVITIES:



                Cash disbursed for purchases of property, plant, and equipment, net                                                                       $(25,184)                       $(32,526)  $(93,765)   $(76,687)



                Proceeds from disposition of joint venture, net                                                                                                                                          4,314       15,944



                Net proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment                                                                                     14,883                                      14,883



                   Net cash used in continuing investing activities                                                                                       $(10,301)                       $(32,526)  $(74,568)   $(60,743)






              
                FINANCING ACTIVITIES:



                Proceeds from borrowings                                                                                                                    $92,512                         $162,073    $137,696     $535,926



                Repayments of  borrowings                                                                                                                  (97,150)                       (185,997)  (156,423)   (522,029)



                Repayments on Term Loan Credit Facility                                                                                                    (50,000)                                   (50,000)



                Debt financing costs                                                                                                                                                                               (4,747)



                Original issuance discount                                                                                                                                                                         (1,808)



                Dividend payment to Tower shareholders                                                                                                      (2,472)                         (2,258)    (7,409)     (6,756)



                Proceeds from stock options exercised                                                                                                            32                               42         251        1,094



                Purchase of treasury stock                                                                                                                                                      (1)      (474)       (763)



                  Net cash provided by / (used in) continuing financing activities                                                                        $(57,078)                       $(26,141)  $(76,359)        $917






              Discontinued operations:



                Net cash from / (used in) discontinued operating activities                                                                                  $2,943                           $(396)     $7,327       $(322)



                Net cash used in discontinued investing activities                                                                                            (770)                           (241)    (2,771)     (1,251)



                Net cash from / (used in) discontinued financing activities                                                                                 (1,718)                             217     (2,642)       1,137



                  Net cash used in discontinued operations                                                                                                     $455                           $(420)     $1,914       $(436)






              Effect of exchange rate changes on continuing cash and cash equivalents                                                                        $(524)                          $1,737    $(2,543)      $5,158






              
                NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                                                                                        $(24,363)                       $(11,197)  $(75,944)   $(19,191)





              
                CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:



              Beginning of period                                                                                                                           $72,107                          $54,794    $123,688      $62,788






              End of period                                                                                                                                 $47,744                          $43,597     $47,744      $43,597


                                                                              
            
              TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


                                                                          
         
             SEGMENT DATA AND NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURE RECONCILIATIONS


                                                                                 
           
                (Amounts in thousands - unaudited)









     
                Segment Data                                             
            
              Three Months Ended September 30,


                                                                                                                        2018                                                          2017



                                                                                   
            
                Revenues                                    
       
                Adjusted             
     
     Revenues        
     
            Adjusted
                                                                                                                                                           EBITDA                                                  EBITDA




     Europe                                                                                                        $146,192                                                        $7,583            $146,559                       $8,219



     North America                                                                                                  378,374                                                        49,534             315,813                       40,262



        Consolidated                                                                                               $524,566                                                       $57,117            $462,372                      $48,481





                                                                             
            
              Nine Months Ended September 30,


                                                                                                                        2018                                                          2017



                                                                                   
            
                Revenues                                    
       
                Adjusted             
     
     Revenues        
     
            Adjusted
                                                                                                                                                           EBITDA                                                  EBITDA




     Europe                                                                                                        $491,655                                                       $26,774            $466,956                      $33,019



     North America                                                                                                1,152,424                                                       141,671             982,931                      113,952



        Consolidated                                                                                             $1,644,079                                                      $168,445          $1,449,887                     $146,971








     
                Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation                                           Three Months Ended September 30,                              Nine Months Ended September 30,



                                                                                                                        2018                                                          2017                2018                         2017




     Net income attributable to Tower International, Inc.                                                           $22,580                                                       $14,931             $62,256                      $51,492



     Restructuring and asset impairment charges, net                                                                    491                                                         1,131               2,308                        8,379



     Depreciation and amortization                                                                                   20,334                                                        18,321              62,485                       54,853



     Acquisition costs and other                                                                                        114                                                            90                 415                          273



     Long-term compensation expense                                                                                   2,677                                                         1,814               6,071                        4,619



     Lease expense                                                                                                    2,431                                                                            7,332



     Interest expense, net                                                                                            5,955                                                         5,609              16,103                        7,736



     Other expense                                                                                                                                                                                      977                          575



     Net periodic benefit income                                                                                      (558)                                                        (713)            (1,675)                     (1,671)



     Provision for income taxes                                                                                       3,996                                                         8,002              14,602                       22,170



     Income from discontinued operations, net of tax                                                                  (903)                                                        (704)            (2,428)                     (1,565)



     Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests                                                                                                                                                                            110



        Adjusted EBITDA                                                                                             $57,117                                                       $48,481            $168,445                     $146,971








     
                Free Cash Flow Reconciliation                                            Three Months Ended September 30,                              Nine Months Ended September 30,


                                                                                                                        2018                                                          2017                2018                         2017




     Net cash used in continuing operating activities                                                               $43,085                                                       $46,153             $75,612                      $35,913



     Cash disbursed for purchases of PP&E                                                                          (25,184)                                                     (32,526)           (93,765)                    (76,687)



        Free cash flow                                                                                              $17,901                                                       $13,627           $(18,153)                   $(40,774)








     
                Net Debt Reconciliation                                       
           
                September 30,                                
       
                December 31,


                                                                                                                        2018                                                          2017




     Short-term debt and current maturities of capital lease obligations                                            $23,136                                                       $42,048



     Long-term debt, net of current maturities                                                                      300,731                                                       352,886



     Debt issue costs                                                                                               (6,431)                                                      (8,148)



        Total debt                                                                                                  317,436                                                       386,786



     Less: Cash and cash equivalents                                                                               (47,744)                                                    (123,688)



        Net debt                                                                                                   $269,692                                                      $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


                                                                                                       September 30,                          September 30,



                                                                                                                  2018                                    2017     2018       2017






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



     
                 Restructuring and asset impairment charges, net



      One-time restructuring actions                                                                           $(285)                                 $(419)  $(398)    $(651)



     
                 Interest expense



      Acceleration of the amortization of debt issue costs and OID                                              (735)                                          (967)         -



      Mark-to-market loss on derivative financial instruments                                                                                          (614)             (991)



     
                 Provision for income taxes



      Establishment of valuation allowance                                                                                                           (2,448)           (2,448)



     
                 Discontinued operations



      Income from discontinued operations                                                                         903                                     704      903        704



      Total items included in net income, net of tax                                                           $(117)                               $(2,777)






     Net income attributable to Tower International, Inc.                                                     $22,580                                 $14,931





     Memo:  Average shares outstanding (in thousands)



     Basic                                                                                                     20,605                                  20,522



     Diluted                                                                                                   21,036                                  20,787





     Income per common share (GAAP)



     Basic                                                                                                      $1.10                                   $0.73



     Diluted                                                                                                     1.07                                    0.72





     Diluted adjusted earnings per share (non-GAAP)                                                             $1.08                                   $0.85


                                                                                      
        
               TOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


                                                                                         
       
                CERTAIN ITEMS INCLUDED IN NET INCOME


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




                                                                                                                          After tax                            Before tax


                                                                                                                     Nine Months Ended                     Nine Months Ended


                                                                                                                       September 30,                         September 30,



                                                                                                                                  2018                                   2017       2018        2017






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



     
                 Restructuring and asset impairment charges, net



      One-time restructuring actions                                                                                         $(1,676)                              $(4,580)  $(2,055)   $(7,284)



     
                 Interest expense



      Acceleration of the amortization of debt issue costs and OID                                                              (735)                                           (967)          -



      Mark-to-market loss on derivative financial instruments                                                                                                         3,672                 5,921



     
                 Other expense



      Premium and other fees for re-pricing of Term Loan                                                                        (743)                                           (977)



        Debt refinancing costs                                                                                                                                        (357)                (575)



     
                 Provision for income taxes



      Establishment of valuation allowance                                                                                                                          (2,448)              (2,448)



     
                 Discontinued operations



      Income from discontinued operations                                                                                       2,428                                  4,161      2,428       4,161



      Loss of sale of Wuhu Joint Venture                                                                                                                            (2,596)              (2,596)



     
                 Noncontrolling interests



      Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests*                                                                                                            (110)                (110)



      Total items included in net income, net of tax                                                                           $(726)                              $(2,258)






     Net income attributable to Tower International, Inc.                                                                     $62,256                                $51,492





     Memo:  Average shares outstanding (in thousands)



     Basic                                                                                                                     20,587                                 20,486



     Diluted                                                                                                                   20,992                                 20,804





     Income per common share (GAAP)



     Basic                                                                                                                      $3.02                                  $2.51



     Diluted                                                                                                                     2.97                                   2.48





     Diluted adjusted earnings per share (non-GAAP)                                                                             $3.00                                  $2.58





     * Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests of discontinued operations

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SOURCE Tower International, Inc.