The Shyft Group Reports First Quarter 2024 Results

    --  First quarter sales of $198 million; Quarter end consolidated backlog of
        $439 million with FVS backlog up 10% sequentially
    --  Maintains 2024 outlook with sales of $850 to $900 million and adjusted
        EBITDA of $40 to $50 million

NOVI, Mich., April 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Shyft Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SHYF) ("Shyft" or the "Company"), the North American leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing, assembly and upfit for the commercial, retail and service specialty vehicle markets, today reported operating results for the first quarter ending March 31, 2024.

First Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights
For the first quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter of 2023:

    --  Sales of $197.9 million, a decrease of $45.5 million, or 18.7%, from
        $243.4 million
    --  Net loss of $4.7 million, or ($0.14) per share, compared to net income
        of $1.7 million, or $0.05 per share
    --  Adjusted EBITDA of $6.1 million, or 3.1% of sales, a decrease of $4.7
        million, from $10.8 million, or 4.4% of sales; Results include $5.5
        million of EV program related costs versus $8.5 million in the prior
        year
    --  Adjusted net loss of $1.4 million, or ($0.04) per share, compared to
        adjusted net income of $4.3 million, or $0.12 per share in the first
        quarter of 2023
    --  Consolidated backlog of $439.4 million as of March 31, 2024, down $228.0
        million, or 34.2%, compared to $667.4 million as of March 31, 2023; On a
        sequential quarter basis, consolidated backlog was up 7.4%

"We made progress implementing our operating framework, which includes high performing teams, operational excellence, and customer centricity," said John Dunn, President and CEO. "Our sales team drove improved commercial activity in the quarter, which enabled a sequential improvement in order backlog. Our SV business continues to execute well and delivered solid results in the quarter."

First Quarter 2024 Business Segment Financial Highlights
For the first quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter of 2023:

Fleet Vehicles and Services (FVS)

    --  Sales were $107.8 million for the first quarter of 2024, down 32.4%, or
        $51.6 million year over year
    --  Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2024 was $0.9 million, or 0.9%
        of sales, a decrease of $11.6 million, from $12.5 million, or 7.8% of
        sales, a year ago
    --  Segment backlog was $356.1 million as of March 31, 2024, down 39.1%
        compared to $584.9 million as of March 31, 2023

Specialty Vehicles (SV)

    --  Sales were $90.1 million for the first quarter of 2024, up 3.4%, or $2.9
        million year over year
    --  Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2024 was $17.0 million, or
        18.8% of sales, an increase of $3.1 million, from $13.9 million, or
        15.9% of sales, a year ago
    --  Segment backlog was $83.3 million as of March 31, 2024, up 1.0% compared
        to $82.5 million as of March 31, 2023

2024 Financial Outlook
"We are pleased with our start to the year considering the challenging end-markets," said Jon Douyard, Chief Financial Officer. "While there was improvement in FVS order activity to start the year, the parcel market remains soft, and we remain cautious on near-term demand. Overall, our team is focused on driving operational efficiency and commercial growth initiatives, positioning us to affirm our prior outlook."

Guidance for full-year 2024, notwithstanding further changes in the operating environment, is as follows:

    --  Sales to be in the range of $850 million to $900 million; Assumes no
        Blue Arc EV revenue
    --  Adjusted EBITDA of $40 to $50 million, including EV spending of $20 to
        $25 million
    --  Net income of $2.5 to $10.5 million, with an income tax rate of
        approximately 20%
    --  Earnings per share of $0.07 to $0.30
    --  Adjusted earnings per share of $0.28 to $0.51
    --  Capital expenditures of approximately $20 to $25 million
    --  Free cash flow of $25 to $35 million

Dunn concluded, "Shyft has industry leading products and a highly engaged team, who are identifying opportunities to drive companywide synergies. Recently launched initiatives to enhance sales and procurement are beginning to deliver positive results. The Blue Arc team is making progress as production is targeted for late 2024. We remain confident in our team's ability to manage through current market conditions and deliver for shareholders over the long term."

Conference Call and Webcast Information
The Shyft Group will host a conference call at 8:30 a.m. ET today to discuss these results and current business trends. The conference call and webcast will be available via:
Webcast: https://theshyftgroup.com/investor-relations/webcasts/
Conference Call: 1-844-868-8845 (domestic) or 412-317-6591 (international); passcode: 10185321

About The Shyft Group
The Shyft Group is the North American leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing, assembly, and upfit for the commercial, retail, and service specialty vehicle markets. Our customers include first-to-last mile delivery companies across vocations, federal, state, and local government entities; the trades; and utility and infrastructure segments. The Shyft Group is organized into two core business units: Shyft Fleet Vehicles and Services(TM) and Shyft Specialty Vehicles(TM). Today, its family of brands include Utilimaster®, Blue Arc(TM) EV Solutions, Royal® Truck Body, DuraMag® and Magnum®, Strobes-R-Us, Spartan® RV Chassis, Red Diamond(TM) Aftermarket Solutions, and Builtmore Contract Manufacturing(TM). The Shyft Group and its go-to-market brands are well known in their respective industries for quality, durability, and first-to-market innovation. The Company employs approximately 3,000 employees and contractors across campuses, and operates facilities in Arizona, California, Florida, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Saltillo, Mexico. The Company reported sales of $872 million in 2023. Learn more at TheShyftGroup.com.

This release contains information, including our sales and earnings guidance, all other information provided with respect to our outlook for 2024 and future periods, and other statements concerning our business, strategic position, financial projections, financial strength, future plans, objectives, and the performance of our products and operations that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We intend the forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in those sections. Generally, we have identified such forward-looking statements by using words such as "believe," "expect," "intend," "potential," "future," "may," "will," "should," and similar expressions or by using future dates in connection with any discussion of, among other things, the construction or operation of new or existing facilities, operating performance, trends, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future, statements relating to volume changes, share of sales and earnings per share changes, anticipated cost savings, potential capital and operational cash improvements, changes in supply and demand conditions and prices for our products, trade duties and other aspects of trade policy, statements regarding our future strategies, products and innovations, and statements expressing general views about future operating results. However, the absence of these words or similar expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but instead represent only the Company's beliefs regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company's control. It is possible that the Company's actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements. Management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the time made. However, caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements because such statements speak only as of the date when made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. In addition, forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's historical experience and our present expectations or projections. In addition, forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's historical experience and our present expectations or projections. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the risks and uncertainties described in "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and those described from time to time in our future reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which are available at www.sec.gov or our website. All forward-looking statements in this release are qualified by this paragraph. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

CONTACTS:
MEDIA
Sydney Lepora
Director, Corporate Communications
Sydney.Lepora@theshyftgroup.com
586.413.4112

INVESTORS:
Randy Wilson
Vice President
Investor Relations and Treasury
Randy.Wilson@theshyftgroup.com
248.727.3755


                                                                         
            
             The Shyft Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries


                                                                              
            
             Consolidated Balance Sheets


                                                                                     
           
              (In thousands)


                                                                                           
            (Unaudited)


                                                                                                                                   March 31, December 31,


                                                                                                                                        2024          2023



     
              ASSETS



     
              Current assets:



     Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                      $13,251        $9,957



     Accounts receivable, less allowance of $277 and $276                                                                            78,820        79,573



     Contract assets                                                                                                                 52,803        50,305



     Inventories                                                                                                                     97,931       105,135



     Other receivables - chassis pool agreements                                                                                     18,890        34,496



     Other current assets                                                                                                             6,700         7,462



     
              Total current assets                                                                                                268,395       286,928





     
              Property, plant and equipment, net                                                                                   80,905        83,437



     
              Right of use assets - operating leases                                                                               45,078        45,827



     
              Goodwill                                                                                                             48,880        48,880



     
              Intangible assets, net                                                                                               44,399        45,268



     
              Net deferred tax asset                                                                                               17,300        17,300



     
              Other assets                                                                                                          2,724         2,409



     
              TOTAL ASSETS                                                                                                       $507,681      $530,049



     
              LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY



     
              Current liabilities:



     Accounts payable                                                                                                               $86,159       $99,855



     Accrued warranty                                                                                                                 8,212         7,231



     Accrued compensation and related taxes                                                                                          11,675        13,526



     Contract liabilities                                                                                                             3,939         4,756



     Operating lease liability                                                                                                       10,050        10,817



     Other current liabilities and accrued expenses                                                                                  12,605        11,965



     Short-term debt - chassis pool agreements                                                                                       18,890        34,496



     Current portion of long-term debt                                                                                                  164           185



     
              Total current liabilities                                                                                           151,694       182,831





     
              Other non-current liabilities                                                                                         7,265         8,184



     
              Long-term operating lease liability                                                                                  36,776        36,724



     
              Long-term debt, less current portion                                                                                 65,121        50,144



     
              Total liabilities                                                                                                   260,856       277,883



     
              Shareholders' equity:



     Preferred stock, no par value: 2,000 shares authorized (none issued)                                                                 -



     Common stock, no par value : 80,000 shares authorized; 34,361 and 34,303 outstanding                                            94,790        93,705



     Retained earnings                                                                                                              152,035       158,461



     
              Total shareholders' equity                                                                                          246,825       252,166



     
              TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                                         $507,681      $530,049


                                                           
              
          The Shyft Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                                                            
              
          Consolidated Statements of Operations

                                                            
              
          (In thousands, except per share data)

                                                                           
            (Unaudited)




                                                                                                                                     Three Months Ended

                                                                                                                                         March 31,


                                                                                                                              2024                             2023





     Sales                                                                                                            $
        197,889                    $
          243,439



     Cost of products sold                                                                                                163,827                            200,515



     
                Gross profit                                                                                             34,062                             42,924





     Operating expenses:



         Research and development                                                                                           3,719                              6,949



         Selling, general and administrative                                                                               32,273                             32,289



         Total operating expenses                                                                                          35,992                             39,238





     
                Operating income (loss)                                                                                 (1,930)                             3,686





     Other income (expense)



         Interest expense                                                                                                 (2,053)                           (1,648)



         Other income                                                                                                          97                                 70



         Total other expense                                                                                              (1,956)                           (1,578)





     Income (loss) before income taxes                                                                                    (3,886)                             2,108



     Income tax expense                                                                                                       783                                430



     
                Net income (loss)                                                                                       (4,669)                             1,678



     Less: net loss attributable to non-controlling interest                                                                                                     32



     
                Net income (loss) attributable to The Shyft Group, Inc.                                         $
     
          (4,669)           $
           
            1,710





     Basic earnings (loss) per share                                                                                   $
        (0.14)                      $
          0.05



     Diluted earnings (loss) per share                                                                                 $
        (0.14)                      $
          0.05





     Basic weighted average common shares outstanding                                                                      34,319                             35,058





     Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding                                                                    34,319                             35,340


                                                                                    
              
               The Shyft Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                                                                                    
              
               Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

                                                                                                
             
                (In thousands)

                                                                                                        
             (Unaudited)




                                                                                                                                                                  Three Months

                                                                                                                                                                 Ended March 31,


                                                                                                                                                          2024                     2023



     
                Cash flows from operating activities:



     Net income (loss)                                                                                                                           $
         (4,669)         $
              1,678



     Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities



     Depreciation and amortization                                                                                                                      4,435                      3,864



     Non-cash stock based compensation expense                                                                                                          1,474                      1,827



     Loss on disposal of assets                                                                                                                            66



     Changes in accounts receivable and contract assets                                                                                               (1,746)                    22,500



     Changes in inventories                                                                                                                             7,204                    (9,147)



     Changes in accounts payable                                                                                                                     (10,119)                  (16,920)



     Changes in accrued compensation and related taxes                                                                                                (1,851)                       419



     Changes in accrued warranty                                                                                                                          981                      (978)



     Changes in other assets and liabilities                                                                                                              268                      2,644



     
                Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities                                                                                 (3,957)                     5,887





     
                Cash flows from investing activities:



     Purchases of property, plant and equipment                                                                                                       (5,719)                   (4,469)



     Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment                                                                                                   75                         25



     Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired                                                                                                                                (500)



     
                Net cash used in investing activities                                                                                               (5,644)                   (4,944)





     
                Cash flows from financing activities:



     Proceeds from long-term debt                                                                                                                      40,000                     40,000



     Payments on long-term debt                                                                                                                      (25,000)                  (31,000)



     Payments of dividends                                                                                                                            (1,716)                   (1,878)



     Purchase and retirement of common stock                                                                                                                                    (8,765)



     Exercise and vesting of stock incentive awards                                                                                                     (389)                   (3,470)



     
                Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                                                                                  12,895                    (5,113)





     Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                                                                                               3,294                    (4,170)



     Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                                                                                                   9,957                     11,548



     Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                                                                                   $
         13,251          $
              7,378


                                           
              
                The Shyft Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                                  
              
                Sales and Other Financial Information by Business Segment

                                                               
              (Unaudited)





     
                Quarter Ended March 31, 2024 (in thousands of dollars)


                                                                     
              Business Segments


                                                   Fleet
                                                  Vehicles                         Specialty                        Eliminations &


                                                & Services                         Vehicles                              Other              Consolidated


        Fleet vehicle sales                $
              95,478        
              $                            
           $                        $
              95,478


        Motorhome chassis sales                                                              30,771                                                     30,771


        Other specialty vehicles
         sales                                                                               53,405                                                     53,405


        Aftermarket parts and
         accessories sales                           12,281                                    5,954                                                     18,235


        Total Sales                       $
              107,759                       $
              90,130        
           $                       $
              197,889





     Adjusted EBITDA                         $
              935                       $
              16,973                    $
           (11,820)     $
              6,088


      
              
                The Shyft Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries


      
                Sales and Other Financial Information by Business Segment

                          
              (Unaudited)





      
                Quarter Ended March 31, 2023 (in thousands of dollars)


                                                                                                
     Business Segments


                                                                                     Fleet
                                                                                    Vehicles         Specialty             Eliminations &


                                                                                  & Services         Vehicles                   Other                Consolidated


         Fleet vehicle sales                                                  $
            147,279 
     $                      
      $                         $
              147,279


         Motorhome chassis sales                                                                               27,960                                            27,960


         Other specialty vehicles
          sales                                                                                                54,697                     (3,181)                51,516


         Aftermarket parts and
          accessories sales                                                            12,154                    4,530                                            16,684


         Total Sales                                                          $
            159,433       $
              87,187          $
             (3,181)   $
              243,439





      Adjusted EBITDA                                                         $
            12,473       $
              13,852         $
             (15,537)    $
              10,788


                                                       
              
                The Shyft Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                                             
              
                Sales and Other Financial Information by Business Segment

                                                                           
              (Unaudited)





     
                Period End Backlog (amounts in thousands of dollars)


                                                                     Mar. 31,                     Dec. 31,                     Sept. 30,          Jun. 30,           Mar. 31,
                                                                       2024                          2023                           2023               2023                2023



     Fleet Vehicles and Services                            $
              356,089             $
              325,003              $
              383,448  $
            437,802     $
          584,933



     Specialty Vehicles                                                83,334                          84,269                           80,983             72,402              82,478



     Total Backlog                                          $
              439,423             $
              409,272              $
              464,431  $
            510,204     $
          667,411

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This release presents Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share, and free cash flow, each of which is a non-GAAP financial measure.

We define Adjusted EBITDA as income before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, as adjusted to eliminate the impact of restructuring charges, acquisition related expenses and adjustments, non-cash stock-based compensation expenses, and other gains and losses not reflective of our ongoing operations.

We present the non-GAAP measure Adjusted EBITDA because we consider it to be an important supplemental measure of our performance. The presentation of Adjusted EBITDA enables investors to better understand our operations by removing items that we believe are not representative of our continuing operations and may distort our longer-term operating trends. We believe this measure to be useful to improve the comparability of our results from period to period and with our competitors, as well as to show ongoing results from operations distinct from items that are infrequent or not indicative of our continuing operating performance. We believe that presenting this non-GAAP measure is useful to investors because it permits investors to view performance using the same tools that management uses to budget, make operating and strategic decisions, and evaluate our historical performance.

Our management uses Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the performance of and allocate resources to our segments. Adjusted EBITDA is also used, along with other financial and non-financial measures, for purposes of determining annual incentive compensation for our management team.

We define free cash flow as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less purchases of property, plant and equipment and add proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment. We believe this measure of free cash flow provides management and investors further useful information on cash generation or use in our operations.

We believe that the presentation of these non-GAAP measures, when considered together with the corresponding GAAP financial measures and the reconciliations to that measure, provides investors with additional understanding of the factors and trends affecting our business than could be obtained in the absence of this disclosure.


                                    
              
                The Shyft Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                                  
              
                Consolidated Financial Summary (Non-GAAP)

                                    
              
                (In thousands, except per share data)

                                                        
              (Unaudited)




                                                                                                                    Three Months Ended March 31,



     
                The Shyft Group, Inc.                                                             2024          % of                 2023             % of
                                                                                                          sales                                  sales



     Net income (loss)                                                                          $(4,669)       (2.4 %)              $1,678            0.7 %



     Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest                                                 -                                32



     Add (subtract):



     Restructuring and other related charges                                                          52                                 62



     Acquisition related expenses and adjustments                                                      -                               291



     Non-cash stock-based compensation expense                                                     1,474                              1,827



     Legacy legal matters                                                                          1,850                                956



     CEO transition                                                                                  110



     Tax effect of adjustments                                                                     (258)                             (585)



     Adjusted net income (loss)                                                                 $(1,441)       (0.7 %)              $4,261            1.8 %





     Net income (loss)                                                                          $(4,669)       (2.4 %)              $1,678            0.7 %



     Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest                                                 -                                32



     Add (subtract):



     Depreciation and amortization                                                                 4,435                              3,864



     Income tax expense                                                                              783                                430



     Interest expense                                                                              2,053                              1,648



     EBITDA                                                                                       $2,602          1.3 %              $7,652            3.1 %



     Add:



     Restructuring and other related charges                                                          52                                 62



     Acquisition related expenses and adjustments                                                      -                               291



     Non-cash stock-based compensation expense                                                     1,474                              1,827



     Legacy legal matters                                                                          1,850                                956



     CEO transition                                                                                  110



     Adjusted EBITDA                                                                              $6,088          3.1 %             $10,788            4.4 %





     Diluted net earnings (loss) per share                                                       $(0.14)                             $0.05



     Add (subtract):



     Restructuring and other related charges                                                           -



     Acquisition related expenses and adjustments                                                      -                              0.01



     Non-cash stock-based compensation expense                                                      0.05                               0.05



     Legacy legal matters                                                                           0.05                               0.03



     CEO transition                                                                                    -



     Tax effect of adjustments                                                                         -                            (0.02)



     Adjusted diluted net earnings (loss) per share                                              $(0.04)                             $0.12


                                                      
         
          The Shyft Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                                                    
         
          Consolidated Financial Summary (Non-GAAP)

                                                             
        
                (In thousands)

                                                               
              (Unaudited)




                                                                                                                         Three Months Ended

                                                                                                                             March 31,



     
                The Shyft Group, Inc.                                                                          2024                            2023



     Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities                                                   $
       (3,957)                     $
         5,887



     Purchases of property, plant and equipment                                                               (5,719)                          (4,469)



     Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment                                                           75                                25



     
                Free cash flow                                                                  $
          
         (9,601)          $
            
           1,443


                                                 
             
         The Shyft Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                                                
             
         Consolidated Financial Summary (Non-GAAP)

                                                  
             
         (In thousands, except per share data)

                                                              
             (Unaudited)




                                                                                                                  
     
                Outlook


                                                                                                                      Year Ended December 31, 2024



     
                The Shyft Group, Inc.                                                                      Low                     Mid            High



     Net income                                                                                           $2,479                   $6,481          $10,483



     Add:



     Depreciation and amortization                                                                        20,500                   20,500           20,500



     Interest expense                                                                                      7,500                    7,500            7,500



     Taxes                                                                                                   621                    1,619            2,617



     EBITDA                                                                                              $31,100                  $36,100          $41,100



     Add:



     Non-cash stock-based compensation and other charges                                                 8,900                    8,900            8,900



     Adjusted EBITDA                                                                                     $40,000                  $45,000          $50,000





     Earnings per share                                                                                    $0.07                    $0.19            $0.30



     Add:



     Non-cash stock-based compensation and other charges                                                  0.26                     0.26             0.26



     Less: tax effect of adjustments                                                                      (0.05)                  (0.05)          (0.05)



     Adjusted earnings per share                                                                           $0.28                    $0.40            $0.51

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SOURCE The Shyft Group, Inc.