The Shyft Group Reports Second Quarter 2024 Results

    --  Delivered sales of $193 million, EPS of $0.06 and adjusted EPS of $0.16
    --  Received order for 150 Blue Arc(TM) EV Trucks from FedEx; Blue Arc Class
        4 vehicle production remains on track for 2024
    --  Acquired Independent Truck Upfitters (ITU) to further accelerate
        Specialty Vehicles growth
    --  Increased full year 2024 adjusted EBITDA midpoint with updated outlook
        now at $45 to $50 million

NOVI, Mich., July 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 second quarter ending June 30, 2024.

Second Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights

For the second quarter of 2024 compared to the second quarter of 2023:

    --  Sales of $192.8 million, a decrease of $32.3 million, or 14.4%, from
        $225.1 million
    --  Net income of $2.2 million, or $0.06 per share, compared to $4.7
        million, or $0.13 per share
    --  Adjusted EBITDA of $12.5 million, or 6.5% of sales, a decrease of $3.4
        million, from $15.9 million, or 7.0% of sales; Results include $5.9
        million of EV program related costs versus $7.4 million in the prior
        year
    --  Adjusted net income of $5.3 million, or $0.16 per share, compared to
        $8.7 million, or $0.25 per share in the second quarter of 2023
    --  Consolidated backlog(1) of $354.4 million as of June 30, 2024, down
        $155.8 million, or 30.5%, compared to $510.2 million as of June 30,
        2023.

"We continued to drive our Shyft operating strategy and saw progress in the quarter despite ongoing market softness. The SV team delivered another strong financial quarter, FVS generated sequential margin improvement, and Blue Arc achieved milestones that position us for vehicle delivery later this year," said John Dunn, President and CEO.

M&A Transaction Update
Acquired Independent Truck Upfitters (ITU), a Midwest-based provider of vocational service body upfit for commercial fleets and government service vehicles on July 24, 2024. ITU sales were approximately $55 million in 2023 with three locations in Iowa, Michigan, and Missouri.

The ITU acquisition aligns with our Specialty Vehicles segment growth strategy by expanding our service body product offerings and upfit capabilities. This transaction provides unique synergies and cross-selling opportunities with current products, adds chassis pools, and increases ship-thru capability to support future growth.

Relevant transaction details include:

    --  Initial cash consideration of $46 million, subject to customary
        adjustments, with an $8 million earnout subject to annual business
        performance over the next two years
    --  Expected EBITDA multiple less than 6.0x adjusted for tax benefits and
        synergies; Acquisition is expected to be accretive to EPS in 2025
    --  Forecasted to deliver ROIC greater than 15% by Year 3 of the transaction
    --  Funded with cash on hand and borrowings under our existing credit
        facility; Expected net leverage ratio of approximately 2.75x in the
        third quarter of 2024 and decreasing by year end 2024.

2024 Financial Outlook

"Our team remains focused on delivering our financial commitments for the year while we position the company for future growth. Our balance sheet remains solid, provides flexibility, and gives us the confidence to invest in growth initiatives," said Jon Douyard, Chief Financial Officer.

Full-year 2024 outlook, notwithstanding further changes in the operating environment, is as follows:

    --  Sales to be in the range of $800 million to $850 million; Assumes no
        Blue Arc EV revenue
    --  Adjusted EBITDA of $45 to $50 million, including EV spending of $20 to
        $25 million
    --  Net income of $2.6 to $6.9 million, with an income tax rate of
        approximately 20%
    --  Earnings per share of $0.07 to $0.20
    --  Adjusted earnings per share of $0.35 to $0.50
    --  Capital expenditures of approximately $20 to $25 million
    --  Free cash flow of $25 to $35 million

Dunn concluded, "Our recently announced strategic actions, including organizational streamlining and the ITU acquisition, have positioned us well for sustainable growth. In addition, we are actively preparing for Blue Arc production in late 2024 and building the commercial pipeline across the business. We believe these catalysts will enable us to deliver meaningful financial improvement in 2025."

Footnote: 1.) Consolidated backlog does not reflect Blue Arc order activity

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)

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 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 Machesky
Director, Corporate Communications
Sydney.Machesky@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)


                                                                                                                                   June 30, December 31,


                                                                                                                                       2024          2023



     
              ASSETS



     
              Current assets:



     Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                      $8,958        $9,957



     Accounts receivable, less allowance of $412 and $276                                                                           93,698        79,573



     Contract assets                                                                                                                39,237        50,305



     Inventories                                                                                                                    94,593       105,135



     Other receivables - chassis pool agreements                                                                                    19,555        34,496



     Other current assets                                                                                                            7,489         7,462



     
              Total current assets                                                                                               263,530       286,928





     
              Property, plant and equipment, net                                                                                  78,952        83,437



     
              Right of use assets - operating leases                                                                              42,810        45,827



     
              Goodwill                                                                                                            48,880        48,880



     
              Intangible assets, net                                                                                              43,530        45,268



     
              Net deferred tax asset                                                                                              17,310        17,300



     
              Other assets                                                                                                         2,556         2,409



     
              TOTAL ASSETS                                                                                                      $497,568      $530,049



     
              LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY



     
              Current liabilities:



     Accounts payable                                                                                                              $73,971       $99,855



     Accrued warranty                                                                                                                8,136         7,231



     Accrued compensation and related taxes                                                                                         14,509        13,526



     Contract liabilities                                                                                                            5,623         4,756



     Operating lease liability                                                                                                       9,978        10,817



     Other current liabilities and accrued expenses                                                                                  9,551        11,965



     Short-term debt - chassis pool agreements                                                                                      19,555        34,496



     Current portion of long-term debt                                                                                                 225           185



     
              Total current liabilities                                                                                          141,548       182,831





     
              Other non-current liabilities                                                                                        7,153         8,184



     
              Long-term operating lease liability                                                                                 34,580        36,724



     
              Long-term debt, less current portion                                                                                65,197        50,144



     
              Total liabilities                                                                                                  248,478       277,883



     
              Shareholders' equity:



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



     Common stock, no par value : 80,000 shares authorized; 34,448 and 34,303 outstanding                                           96,651        93,705



     Retained earnings                                                                                                             152,439       158,461



     
              Total shareholders' equity                                                                                         249,090       252,166



     
              TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                                        $497,568      $530,049


                                                                          
     
        The Shyft Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                                                                          
     
        Consolidated Statements of Operations

                                                                          
     
        (In thousands, except per share data)

                                                                              
             (Unaudited)




                                                                                                                  Three Months Ended                          Six Months Ended

                                                                                                                       June 30,                                   June 30,


                                                                                                        2024                               2023             2024                       2023





     Sales                                                                                $
              192,780                       $
         225,101     $
         390,669            $
            468,540



     Cost of products sold                                                                            152,193                              182,347            316,020                      382,862



     
                Gross profit                                                                         40,587                               42,754             74,649                       85,678





     Operating expenses:



     Research and development                                                                           4,506                                5,890              8,225                       12,839



     Selling, general and administrative                                                               32,353                               30,270             64,626                       62,559



     Total operating expenses                                                                          36,859                               36,160             72,851                       75,398





     
                Operating income                                                                      3,728                                6,594              1,798                       10,280





     Other income (expense)



     Interest expense                                                                                 (1,753)                             (1,477)           (3,806)                     (3,125)



     Other income                                                                                          80                                  124                177                          194



     Total other expense                                                                              (1,673)                             (1,353)           (3,629)                     (2,931)





     Income (loss) before income taxes                                                                  2,055                                5,241            (1,831)                       7,349



     Income tax expense (benefit)                                                                       (109)                                 556                674                          986



     Net income (loss)                                                                                  2,164                                4,685            (2,505)                       6,363



     Less: net loss attributable to non-controlling interest                                                                                                                                 32





     
                Net income (loss) attributable to The Shyft Group Inc.       $
              
                2,164                 $
         
           4,685 $
     
           (2,505)         $
     
              6,395





     Basic earnings (loss) per share                                                         $
              0.06                          $
         0.13      $
         (0.07)              $
            0.18



     Diluted earnings (loss) per share                                                       $
              0.06                          $
         0.13      $
         (0.07)              $
            0.18





     Basic weighted average common shares outstanding                                                  34,402                               34,935             34,361                       34,995



     Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding                                                34,474                               34,991             34,361                       35,161


                                                                                    
              
               The Shyft Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                                                                                    
              
               Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

                                                                                                
             
                (In thousands)

                                                                                                        
             (Unaudited)




                                                                                                                                                                      Six Months
                                                                                                                                                    Ended June 30,


                                                                                                                                                               2024                2023



     
                Cash flows from operating activities:



     Net income (loss)                                                                                                                           $
              (2,505)  $
              6,363



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



     Depreciation and amortization                                                                                                                           9,210               8,050



     Non-cash stock based compensation expense                                                                                                               3,484               3,090



     Loss on disposal of assets                                                                                                                                 83                 128



     Deferred income taxes                                                                                                                                     (9)



     Changes in accounts receivable and contract assets                                                                                                    (3,057)             68,064



     Changes in inventories                                                                                                                                 10,542             (1,142)



     Changes in accounts payable                                                                                                                          (21,002)           (38,567)



     Changes in accrued compensation and related taxes                                                                                                         983                 303



     Changes in accrued warranty                                                                                                                               905             (1,143)



     Changes in other assets and liabilities                                                                                                               (1,461)            (9,525)



     
                Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities                                                                                      (2,827)             35,621





     
                Cash flows from investing activities:



     Purchases of property, plant and equipment                                                                                                            (9,243)           (10,963)



     Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment                                                                                                        90                  82



     Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired                                                                                                                              (500)



     
                Net cash used in investing activities                                                                                                    (9,153)           (11,381)





     
                Cash flows from financing activities:



     Proceeds from long-term debt                                                                                                                           65,000              70,000



     Payments on long-term debt                                                                                                                           (50,000)           (81,000)



     Payments of dividends                                                                                                                                 (3,481)            (3,653)



     Purchase and retirement of common stock                                                                                                                                (8,786)



     Exercise and vesting of stock incentive awards                                                                                                          (538)            (4,541)



     
                Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                                                                                       10,981            (27,980)





     Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                               (999)            (3,740)



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





     Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                                                                                    $
              8,958   $
              7,808


      
       
                The Shyft Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

      
       
                Sales and Other Financial Information by Business Segment

      
       (Unaudited)




      
       
                Quarter Ended June 30, 2024 (in thousands of dollars)




                                                                                     Business Segments


                                                                     Fleet
                                                                     Vehicles              Specialty             Eliminations &


                                                                  & Services              Vehicles                  Other           Consolidated


          Fleet vehicle sales         
              $                      92,244   
     $                      
     $                          $
              92,244


          Motorhome chassis sales                                                               18,946                                     18,946


          Other specialty vehicles
           sales                                                                                58,062                      76              58,138


          Aftermarket parts and
           accessories sales                                          17,596                      5,856                                     23,452


          Total Sales                 
              $                     109,840   
     $               82,864          $
              76 $
              192,780





       Adjusted EBITDA               
              $                       8,368   
     $               17,549     $
             (13,445) $
              12,472


      
       
                The Shyft Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

      
       
                Sales and Other Financial Information by Business Segment

      
       (Unaudited)




      
       
                Quarter Ended June 30, 2023 (in thousands of dollars)




                                                                                       Business Segments


                                                          Fleet
                                                        Vehicles                           Specialty                      Eliminations &


                                                       & Services                          Vehicles                            Other                     Consolidated


          Fleet vehicle sales                 $
              125,291            
       $                          
         $                                  $
            125,291


          Motorhome chassis sales                                                                30,099                                                         30,099


          Other specialty
           vehicles sales                                                                        51,652                           (1,443)                       50,209


          Aftermarket parts and
           accessories sales                               13,692                                  5,810                                                         19,502


          Total Sales                         $
              138,983                     $
              87,561               $
              (1,443)            $
            225,101





       Adjusted EBITDA                        $
              12,468                  $
        17,367          $
       (13,968)                     $
     15,867


      
              
                The Shyft Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries


      
                Sales and Other Financial Information by Business Segment

                          
              (Unaudited)





      
                Period End Backlog (amounts in thousands of dollars)


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



      Fleet Vehicles and Services                                            $
      294,586 $
       356,089 $
        325,003 $
          383,448 
              $  437,802



      Specialty Vehicles                                                          59,856       83,334        84,269          80,983              72,402



      Total Backlog                                                          $
      354,442 $
       439,423 $
        409,272 $
          464,431 
              $  510,204

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 and long-term incentive compensation for certain members of 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 June 30,



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



     Net income                                                                               $2,164    1.1 %              $4,685    2.1 %



     Add (subtract):



     Restructuring and other related charges                                                   1,146                        1,253



     Acquisition related expenses and adjustments                                                399



     Non-cash stock-based compensation expense                                                 2,010                        1,263



     Legacy legal matters                                                                        150



     Loss from write-off of assets                                                               147



     CEO transition                                                                               37                        2,287



     Non-recurring professional fees                                                               -                         160



     Tax effect of adjustments                                                                 (705)                       (981)



     Adjusted net income                                                                      $5,348    2.8 %              $8,667    3.9 %





     Net income                                                                               $2,164    1.1 %              $4,685    2.1 %



     Add (subtract):



     Depreciation and amortization                                                             4,775                        4,186



     Income tax expense (benefit)                                                              (109)                         556



     Interest expense                                                                          1,753                        1,477



     EBITDA                                                                                   $8,583    4.5 %             $10,904    4.8 %



     Add:



     Restructuring and other related charges                                                   1,146                        1,253



     Acquisition related expenses and adjustments                                                399



     Non-cash stock-based compensation expense                                                 2,010                        1,263



     Legacy legal matters                                                                        150



     Loss from write-off of assets                                                               147



     CEO transition                                                                               37                        2,287



     Non-recurring professional fees                                                               -                         160



     Adjusted EBITDA                                                                         $12,472    6.5 %             $15,867    7.0 %





     Diluted net earnings per share                                                            $0.06                        $0.13



     Add (subtract):



     Restructuring and other related charges                                                    0.04                         0.04



     Acquisition related expenses and adjustments                                               0.01



     Non-cash stock-based compensation expense                                                  0.06                         0.04



     Legacy legal matters                                                                       0.01



     Loss from write-off of assets                                                                 -



     CEO transition                                                                                -                        0.07



     Non-recurring professional fees                                                               -



     Tax effect of adjustments                                                                (0.02)                      (0.03)



     Adjusted diluted net earnings per share                                                   $0.16                        $0.25


                                                      
        
         The Shyft Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                                                     
        
         Consolidated Financial Summary (Non-GAAP)

                                                            
       
                (In thousands)

                                                              
             (Unaudited)




                                                                                                                         Six Months Ended

                                                                                                                            June 30,



     
                The Shyft Group, Inc.                                                                          2024                             2023



     Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities                                                   $
       (2,827)                   $
         35,621



     Purchases of property, plant and equipment                                                               (9,243)                        (10,963)



     Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment                                                           90                               82



     
                Free cash flow                                                               $
            
         (11,980)        $
            
           24,740


                                                  
            
         The Shyft Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                                                 
            
         Consolidated Financial Summary (Non-GAAP)

                                                   
            
         (In thousands, except per share data)

                                                              
             (Unaudited)




                                                                                                                   
       
                 Outlook


                                                                                                                     Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2024



     
                The Shyft Group, Inc.                                                                       Low                       Mid                 High



     Income from continuing operations                                                                     $2,600                     $4,750                $6,900



     Add:



     Depreciation and amortization                                                                         21,000                     20,450                19,900



     Interest expense                                                                                       8,400                      8,400                 8,400



     Taxes                                                                                                    640                      1,195                 1,750



     EBITDA                                                                                               $32,640                    $34,795               $36,950



     Add:



     Non-cash stock-based compensation and other charges                                                 12,360                     12,705                13,050



     Adjusted EBITDA                                                                                      $45,000                    $47,500               $50,000





     Earnings per share                                                                                     $0.07                      $0.14                 $0.20



     Add:



     Non-cash stock-based compensation and other charges                                                   0.35                       0.36                  0.37



     Less tax effect of adjustments                                                                        (0.07)                    (0.07)               (0.07)



     Adjusted earnings per share                                                                            $0.35                      $0.43                 $0.50

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SOURCE The Shyft Group, Inc.