Construction Partners, Inc. Announces Fiscal 2024 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results

Revenue Up 17% Compared to FY23
Net Income Up 41% Compared to FY23
Adjusted EBITDA Up 28% Compared to FY23
Record Backlog of $1.96 Billion

DOTHAN, Ala., Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Construction Partners, Inc. (NASDAQ: ROAD) ("CPI" or the "Company"), a vertically integrated civil infrastructure company specializing in the construction and maintenance of roadways in local markets throughout the Sunbelt, today reported financial and operating results for the fiscal quarter and year ended September 30, 2024.

Fred J. (Jule) Smith, III, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are pleased to report significant growth in fiscal year 2024, led by the strong operational performance of our family of companies throughout the Sunbelt. We are proud of the contributions from our more than 5,000 employees that helped deliver a record fiscal year and generated revenue growth of 17%, net income growth of 41%, and Adjusted EBITDA((1)) growth of 28% compared to fiscal 2023, including Adjusted EBITDA Margin((1)) of 12.1% for fiscal 2024. In addition, we completed eight acquisitions in fiscal 2024 that expanded our geographic footprint into new growth markets and enhanced CPI's relative market share across our Sunbelt states."

Fiscal 2024 revenues were $1.82 billion, an increase of 17% compared to $1.56 billion in fiscal 2023. Fourth quarter revenues were $538.2 million, an increase of 13% compared to $475.0 million in the fourth quarter last year.

Gross profit was $258.3 million in fiscal 2024, an increase of 32% compared to $196.4 million in fiscal 2023. Gross profit for the fourth quarter was $84.1 million, an increase of 11% compared to $75.5 million in the fourth quarter last year.

General and administrative expenses were $151.5 million for fiscal 2024, or 8.3% of total revenue, compared to $126.9 million, or 8.1% of total revenue, in fiscal 2023. Fourth quarter general and administrative expenses were $39.8 million, compared to $33.0 million in the fourth quarter last year, and as a percentage of total revenue, 7.4% and 6.9%, respectively.

Net income was $68.9 million for fiscal 2024, an increase of 41% compared to net income of $49.0 million in fiscal 2023. Fourth quarter net income was $29.3 million, a decrease of 5.2% compared to net income of $30.9 million in the fourth quarter last year.

Adjusted EBITDA((1)) for fiscal 2024 was $220.6 million, an increase of 28% compared to $172.6 million in fiscal 2023. Adjusted EBITDA Margin((1)) in fiscal 2024 was 12.1%, compared to 11.0% in fiscal 2023. Fourth quarter Adjusted EBITDA((1)) was $77.0 million, an increase of 11.8% compared to $68.9 million in the fourth quarter last year. Adjusted EBITDA Margin((1)) in the fourth quarter was 14.3%, compared to 14.5% in the fourth quarter last year.

Project backlog was $1.96 billion at September 30, 2024, compared to $1.60 billion at September 30, 2023 and $1.86 billion at June 30, 2024.

Smith added, "Earlier this month, we acquired Lone Star Paving, our new platform company in Texas. Lone Star is an excellent company with an outstanding management team operating in three of the fastest growth metro areas in the country. We are pleased to welcome Lone Star into the CPI family of companies. They uniquely fit our culture with a shared commitment to safety, operational excellence, employee advancement and smart vertical integration initiatives.

"In fiscal 2025, we continue to project growth and enhanced profitability, supported by eleven months of Lone Star's contribution in our fiscal year. The addition of Lone Star positions CPI to accelerate our ROAD-Map 2027 strategy and to deliver long-term value to our investors and other stakeholders."

Fiscal 2025 Outlook

As previously announced, CPI's outlook for fiscal 2025 with regard to revenue, net income, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin is as follows:

    --  Revenue in the range of $2.48 billion to $2.58 billion
    --  Net income in the range of $97 million to $113 million
    --  Adjusted EBITDA((1)) in the range of $347 million to $377 million
    --  Adjusted EBITDA Margin((1)) in the range of 14.0% to 14.6%

Ned N. Fleming, III, the Company's Executive Chairman, stated, "We are excited to enter Texas with an outstanding company like Lone Star. This transformational acquisition exemplifies the CPI growth strategy of partnering with experienced local operators who know how to build and operate great companies that we can further support within our larger organization. Moving forward, we will continue to benefit from opportunities afforded by a generational investment in infrastructure, the fast-growing economies in the Sunbelt, and numerous organic and acquisitive growth opportunities to scale our organization and deliver value to our stockholders."

Conference Call

The Company will conduct a conference call today at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (9:00 a.m. Central Time) to discuss financial and operating results for the fiscal quarter and year ended September 30, 2024. To access the call live by phone, dial (412) 902-0003 and ask for the Construction Partners call at least 10 minutes prior to the start time. A telephonic replay will be available through November 28, 2024 by calling (201) 612-7415 and using passcode ID: 13748361#. A webcast of the call will also be available live and for later replay on the Company's Investor Relations website at www.constructionpartners.net.

About Construction Partners, Inc.

Construction Partners, Inc. is a vertically integrated civil infrastructure company operating in local markets throughout the Sunbelt in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. Supported by its hot-mix asphalt plants, aggregate facilities and liquid asphalt terminals, CPI focuses on the construction, repair and maintenance of surface infrastructure. Publicly funded projects make up the majority of its business and include local and state roadways, interstate highways, airport runways and bridges. The company also performs private sector projects that include paving and sitework for office and industrial parks, shopping centers, local businesses and residential developments. To learn more, visit www.constructionpartners.net.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein that are not statements of historical or current fact constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements may be identified by the use of words such as "may," "will," "expect," "should," "anticipate," "intend," "project," "outlook," "believe" and "plan." The forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, without limitation, statements related to financial projections, future events, business strategy, future performance, future operations, backlog, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management. These and other forward-looking statements are based on management's current views and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect expected results. Important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements, including, among others: our ability to successfully manage and integrate acquisitions; failure to realize the expected economic benefits of acquisitions, including future levels of revenues being lower than expected and costs being higher than expected; failure or inability to implement growth strategies in a timely manner; declines in public infrastructure construction and reductions in government funding, including the funding by transportation authorities and other state and local agencies; risks related to our operating strategy; competition for projects in our local markets; risks associated with our capital-intensive business; government requirements and initiatives, including those related to funding for public or infrastructure construction, land usage and environmental, health and safety matters; unfavorable economic conditions and restrictive financing markets; our ability to obtain sufficient bonding capacity to undertake certain projects; our ability to accurately estimate the overall risks, requirements or costs when we bid on or negotiate contracts that are ultimately awarded to us; the cancellation of a significant number of contracts or our disqualification from bidding for new contracts; risks related to adverse weather conditions; our substantial indebtedness and the restrictions imposed on us by the terms thereof; our ability to maintain favorable relationships with third parties that supply us with equipment and essential supplies; our ability to retain key personnel and maintain satisfactory labor relations; property damage, results of litigation and other claims and insurance coverage issues; risks related to our information technology systems and infrastructure; our ability to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting; and the risks, uncertainties and factors set forth under "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and its subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, subsequent events, or circumstances or other changes affecting such statements except to the extent required by applicable law.

Contacts:

Rick Black / Ken Dennard
Dennard Lascar Investor Relations
ROAD@DennardLascar.com
(713) 529-6600



     
     (1) Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are financial measures not presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Please see "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" at the end of this press release.

- Financial Statements Follow -


                                                                  
           
               Construction Partners, Inc.


                                                        
              
            Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income


                                                        
              
            (in thousands, except share and per share data)




                                                                                                                                       For the Three Months Ended                       For the Fiscal Year Ended

                                                                                                                                       September 30,                       September 30,


                                                                                                                                  2024         2023                  2024         2023



              Revenues                                                                                                       $538,163     $475,026            $1,823,889   $1,563,548



              Cost of revenues                                                                                                454,082      399,489             1,565,635    1,367,163



              
                Gross profit                                                                                        84,081       75,537               258,254      196,385



              General and administrative expenses                                                                            (39,836)    (33,002)            (151,497)   (126,947)



              Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment                                                                     1,523        2,223                 4,483        7,048



              Gain on facility exchange                                                                                                                                      5,389



              
                Operating income                                                                                    45,768       44,758               111,240       81,875



              Interest expense, net                                                                                           (6,084)     (3,545)             (19,071)    (17,346)



              Other (expense) income                                                                                            (117)        (50)                 (70)         875



              
                Income before provision for income taxes and                                                        39,567       41,163                92,099       65,404
    earnings from investment in joint venture



              Provision for income taxes                                                                                       10,256       10,250                23,161       16,403



              Loss from investment in joint venture                                                                               (3)                              (3)



              
                Net income                                                                                         $29,308      $30,913               $68,935      $49,001



              
                Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax



              Unrealized (loss) gain on interest rate swap contract, net                                                      (6,722)       1,922              (11,889)       1,297



              Unrealized gain (loss) on restricted investments, net                                                               418        (211)                  697        (223)



              
                Other comprehensive (loss) income, net                                                             (6,304)       1,711              (11,192)       1,074



              
                Comprehensive income                                                                               $23,004      $32,624               $57,743      $50,075





              
                Net income per share attributable to common
    stockholders:



              Basic                                                                                                             $0.57        $0.60                 $1.33        $0.95



              Diluted                                                                                                           $0.56        $0.59                 $1.31        $0.94





              
                Weighted average number of common shares
    outstanding:



              Basic                                                                                                        51,792,183   51,828,257            51,883,760   51,827,001



              Diluted                                                                                                      52,590,344   52,406,501            52,574,503   52,260,206


                                                                                          
              
                Construction Partners, Inc.


                                                                                          
              
                Consolidated Balance Sheets


                                                                                
              
                (in thousands, except share and per share data)




                                                                                                                                                                   September 30,


                                                                                                                                                              2024       2023



              
                ASSETS



              Current assets:



              Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                   $74,686    $48,243



              Restricted cash                                                                                                                               1,998        837



              Contracts receivable including retainage, net                                                                                               350,811    303,704



              Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts                                                                  25,966     27,296



              Inventories                                                                                                                                 106,704     84,038



              Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                                                                                    24,841      9,306



              Total current assets                                                                                                                        585,006    473,424





              Property, plant and equipment, net                                                                                                          629,924    505,095



              Operating lease right-of-use assets                                                                                                          38,932     14,485



              Goodwill                                                                                                                                    231,656    159,270



              Intangible assets, net                                                                                                                       20,549     19,520



              Investment in joint venture                                                                                                                      84         87



              Restricted investments                                                                                                                       18,020     15,079



              Other assets                                                                                                                                 17,964     32,705



              Total assets                                                                                                                             $1,542,135 $1,219,665



              
                LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY



              Current liabilities:



              Accounts payable                                                                                                                           $182,572   $151,406



              Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts                                                                 120,065     78,905



              Current portion of operating lease liabilities                                                                                                9,065      2,338



              Current maturities of long-term debt                                                                                                         26,563     15,000



              Accrued expenses and other current liabilities                                                                                               42,189     31,534



              Total current liabilities                                                                                                                   380,454    279,183



              Long-term liabilities:



              Long-term debt, net of current maturities and deferred debt issuance costs                                                                  486,961    360,740



              Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion                                                                                          30,661     12,649



              Deferred income taxes, net                                                                                                                   53,852     37,121



              Other long-term liabilities                                                                                                                  16,467     13,398



              Total long-term liabilities                                                                                                                 587,941    423,908



              Total liabilities                                                                                                                           968,395    703,091



              
                Commitments and contingencies



              Stockholders' Equity:



              Preferred stock, par value $0.001; 10,000,000 shares authorized at September 30, 2024 and                                                         -
    September 30, 2023 and no shares issued and outstanding



              Class A common stock, par value $0.001; 400,000,000 shares authorized, 44,062,830 shares issued                                                  44         44
      and 43,819,102 shares outstanding at September 30, 2024, and 43,760,546 shares issued and
      43,727,680 shares outstanding at September 30, 2023



              Class B common stock, par value $0.001; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 11,784,650 shares issued                                                  12         12
      and 8,861,698 shares outstanding at September 30, 2024, and 11,921,463 shares issued and
      8,998,511 shares outstanding at September 30, 2023



              Additional paid-in capital                                                                                                                  278,065    267,330



              Treasury stock, Class A common stock, par value $0.001, at cost, 243,728 shares at September 30,                                           (11,490)     (178)
    2024, and 32,866 shares at September 30, 2023



              Treasury stock, Class B common stock, par value $0.001, at cost, 2,922,952 shares at September 30,                                         (15,603)  (15,603)
    2024 and 2023



              Accumulated other comprehensive income, net                                                                                                   7,502     18,694



              Retained earnings                                                                                                                           315,210    246,275



              Total stockholders' equity                                                                                                                  573,740    516,574



              Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                                                                                               $1,542,135 $1,219,665


                                                                        
              
                Construction Partners, Inc.


                                                                   
              
                Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows


                                                                              
              
                (in thousands)




                                                                                                                                                 For the Fiscal Year Ended
                                                                                                                                           September 30,


                                                                                                                                      2024                                    2023



              
                Cash flows from operating activities:



              Net income                                                                                                          $68,935                                 $49,001



              Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:



                Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization                                                                92,920                                  79,100



                Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs                                                                          362                                     299



                Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instruments                                                                      184                                     342



                Provision (recovery) for bad debt                                                                                     491                                     456



                Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment                                                                     (4,483)                                (7,048)



                Gain on facility exchange                                                                                               -                                (5,389)



                Realized losses on restricted investments                                                                              53                                      30



                Share-based compensation expense                                                                                   14,412                                  10,759



                Loss (earnings) from investment in joint venture                                                                        3



                Deferred income taxes                                                                                              22,681                                  11,165



                Other non-cash adjustments                                                                                          (300)                                  (263)



              Changes in operating assets and liabilities:



                Contracts receivable including retainage                                                                          (6,627)                               (25,961)



                Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts                                         5,531                                   2,573



                Inventories                                                                                                      (15,480)                                (7,320)



                Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                                                        (13,015)                                  3,650



                Other assets                                                                                                        (522)                                  (129)



                Accounts payable                                                                                                   13,433                                  17,220



                Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts                                        24,869                                  24,099



                Accrued expenses and other current liabilities                                                                      4,828                                   2,340



                Other long-term liabilities                                                                                           804                                   2,233



                Net cash provided by operating activities, net of acquisitions                                                    209,079                                 157,157



              
                Cash flows from investing activities:



              Purchases of property, plant and equipment                                                                         (87,930)                               (97,810)



              Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment                                                                  14,059                                  17,698



              Proceeds from facility exchange                                                                                           -                                 36,987



              Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired                                                                       (231,777)                               (91,787)



              Proceeds from the sale of restricted investments                                                                      3,553                                   2,900



              Purchases of restricted investments                                                                                 (5,490)                               (11,360)



              Net cash used in investing activities                                                                             (307,585)                              (143,372)



              
                Cash flows from financing activities:



              Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs                                                210,235                                 103,000



              Principal payments of long-term debt                                                                               (72,813)                              (103,125)



              Purchase of treasury stock                                                                                         (11,312)                                  (139)



              Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                                                                 126,110                                   (264)



              Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash                                                             27,604                                  13,521



              
                Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:



              Beginning of year                                                                                                    49,080                                  35,559



              End of year                                                                                                         $76,684                                 $49,080





              
                Supplemental cash flow information:



              Cash paid for interest                                                                                              $21,680                                 $19,157



              Cash paid for income taxes                                                                                           $5,447                                  $1,009



              Cash paid for operating lease liabilities                                                                            $6,874                                  $3,029



              Non-cash items:



                Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease                                      $29,097                                  $3,109
      liabilities



                Property, plant and equipment financed with accounts payable                                                       $7,227                                  $2,459



                Amounts (receivable) payable to sellers in business combinations                                                   $(153)  
              $                        -

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted EBITDA represents net income before, as applicable from time to time, (i) interest expense, net, (ii) provision (benefit) for income taxes, (iii) depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization, (iv) share-based compensation expense, (v) loss on the extinguishment of debt, and (vi) expenses associated with non-routine acquisitions. Adjusted EBITDA Margin represents Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues for each period. These metrics are supplemental measures of our operating performance that are neither required by, nor presented in accordance with, GAAP. These measures have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net income or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of our operating performance. We present Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin because management uses these measures as key performance indicators, and we believe that securities analysts, investors and others use these measures to evaluate companies in our industry. Our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin may not be comparable to similarly named measures reported by other companies. Potential differences may include differences in capital structures, tax positions and the age and book depreciation of intangible and tangible assets.

The following tables present a reconciliation of net income, the most directly comparable measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, to Adjusted EBITDA and the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA Margin for the applicable periods.


                                
              
                Construction Partners, Inc.


                       
              
                Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation


                      
              
                Fiscal Years Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023


                            
              
                (in thousands, except percentages)




                                                                                                        For the Fiscal Year

                                                                                                        Ended September 30,


                                                                                                   2024                    2023 (2)



     Net income                                                                                $68,935                     $49,001



     Interest expense, net                                                                      19,071                      17,346



     Provision for income taxes                                                                 23,161                      16,403



     Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization                                        92,920                      79,100



     Share-based compensation expense                                                           15,031                      10,759



     Acquisition-related expenses (1)                                                            1,455



     Adjusted EBITDA                                                                          $220,573                    $172,609



     Revenues                                                                               $1,823,889                  $1,563,548



     Adjusted EBITDA Margin                                                                     12.1 %                     11.0 %




     
     (1) 
     Reflects expenses associated with the acquisition of Lone Star Paving, which management views as a non-routine acquisition.





     
     (2)   In periods commencing prior to September 30, 2023, the Company historically included within the definition of Adjusted EBITDA an adjustment for management fees and expenses related to
                the Company's management services agreement with an affiliate of SunTx Capital Partners, a member of the Company's control group. Effective October 1, 2023, the term of the
                management services agreement was extended to October 1, 2028. As a result of the term extension, the Company no longer views the management fees and expenses paid under the
                management services agreement as a non-recurring expense. Accordingly, periods commencing subsequent to September 30, 2023 do not include an adjustment for management fees and
                expenses, and the Company has recast comparative Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin for the quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 to conform to the current
                definition.


                                
              
                Construction Partners, Inc.


                       
              
                Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation


                      
              
                Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023


                            
              
                (in thousands, except percentages)




                                                                                                      For the Three Months

                                                                                                      Ended September 30,


                                                                                                 2024                    2023 (2)



     Net income                                                                              $29,308                     $30,913



     Interest expense, net                                                                     6,084                       3,545



     Provision for income taxes                                                               10,256                      10,250



     Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization                                      25,452                      21,331



     Share-based compensation expense                                                          4,445                       2,850



     Acquisition expenses(1)                                                                   1,455



     Adjusted EBITDA                                                                         $77,000                     $68,889



     Revenues                                                                               $538,163                    $475,026



     Adjusted EBITDA Margin                                                                   14.3 %                     14.5 %




     
     (1) 
     Reflects expenses associated with the acquisition of Lone Star Paving, which management views as a non-routine acquisition.





     
     (2)   In periods commencing prior to September 30, 2023, the Company historically included within the definition of Adjusted EBITDA an adjustment for management fees and expenses related to
                the Company's management services agreement with an affiliate of SunTx Capital Partners, a member of the Company's control group. Effective October 1, 2023, the term of the
                management services agreement was extended to October 1, 2028. As a result of the term extension, the Company no longer views the management fees and expenses paid under the
                management services agreement as a non-recurring expense. Accordingly, periods commencing subsequent to September 30, 2023 do not include an adjustment for management fees and
                expenses, and the Company has recast comparative Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin for the quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 to conform to the current
                definition.


                                     
              
                Construction Partners, Inc.


                            
              
                Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation


                                      
              
                Fiscal Year 2025 Outlook


                            
              
                (unaudited, in thousands, except percentages)




                                                                                                              For the Fiscal Year Ending
                                                                                                      September 30, 2025


                                                                                                         Low                                High



     Net income                                                                                     $97,000                             $113,000



     Interest expense, net                                                                           64,072                               62,715



     Provision for income taxes                                                                      32,471                               38,432



     Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization                                            128,957                              138,353



     Share-based compensation expense                                                                21,500                               21,500



     Acquisition expenses                                                                             3,000                                3,000



     Adjusted EBITDA                                                                               $347,000                             $377,000



     Revenues                                                                                    $2,480,000                           $2,580,000



     Adjusted EBITDA Margin                                                                          14.0 %                              14.6 %

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SOURCE Construction Partners, Inc.