Astronics Corporation Reports 2020 First Quarter Financial Results

• Sales for the quarter were $157.6 million with bookings of $167.4 million
• Net loss was ($67.0) million, after impairment charges of $74.4 million
  • Adjusted EBITDA* was $16.2 million or 10.3% of sales
• Amended credit facility suspends leverage covenant and accommodates for challenging environment
• Restructuring to allow cash positive performance if sales decline as much as 35% from 2019

*Adjusted EBITDA is a Non-GAAP Performance Measure. Please see the attached table for a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to GAAP net income.

EAST AURORA, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Astronics Corporation (Nasdaq: ATRO) (“Astronics” or the “Company”), a leading supplier of advanced technologies and products to the global aerospace, defense and other mission critical industries, today reported financial results for the three months ended March 28, 2020. Financial results reflect the divestiture of the Test Systems’ semiconductor business on February 13, 2019, and the acquisitions of Freedom Communications Technologies (“Freedom”), acquired in July 2019, and the primary operating subsidiaries of Diagnosys Test Systems Limited (“Diagnosys”), acquired in October 2019 (collectively, the “Acquired Businesses”).

Summary of COVID-19’s Impact on Astronics and Our Operational Adjustments

Like many companies in the aerospace industry, Astronics has been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the space of a few weeks, the Company saw significant changes in expected demand as airline traffic bottomed and manufacturers announced reduced production rates.

Astronics rapidly adjusted to the changed environment by prioritizing the health and safety of its employees and implementing a new set of work rules to provide for sanitation, hygiene and physical distancing. Concurrently, Astronics aggressively adjusted its cost structure to match expected demand and conserve cash. These actions included a 30% reduction in employee count to about 2,000, a freeze on wages and the elimination of cash bonus plans, a more than 50% reduction of 2020 capital expenditures, and other measures such as elimination of temporary labor and consultants wherever possible, and restrictions on marketing, trade shows, travel and discretionary spending for the remainder of the year. These actions will result in significant savings of $55 million to $60 million for the year, beginning in the second quarter.

The Company has reviewed its business prospects with a broad range of customers and partners to assess potential outcomes of demand for its products. The defense and government business appears strong, but aircraft build rates are expected to drop and the airline aftermarket is expected to weaken considerably. Given these market conditions, the Company has reduced costs and expects to be cash flow positive even with a decline in sales between 30% and 35% from 2019’s total revenue of $773 million.

In terms of liquidity, in March the Company drew down $150 million on its existing revolver, ending the quarter with total cash of $188 million. Astronics has subsequently amended its lending facility with its banks such that its maximum leverage covenant is temporarily suspended until the second quarter of 2021, replaced by an interest coverage covenant and a minimum liquidity covenant.

First quarter revenue was $157.6 million with a net loss of $67.0 million. The loss was driven by a $74.4 million pre-tax write-down of goodwill and other intangibles which resulted from a reduced outlook in the aerospace segment. Adjusted EBITDA* in the first quarter was $16.2 million, or 10.3% of sales.

*Adjusted EBITDA is a Non-GAAP Performance Measure. Please see the attached table for a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to GAAP net income.

Peter J. Gundermann stated, “We have taken significant action to adjust to the evolving environment. Our team has responded very effectively to the situation and our operations continue to perform well given the challenging conditions. The situation is far from settled, but if our revenue in 2020 were to drop on the order of 30% to 35% from 2019, the changes we have made should allow us to stay cash positive and produce EBITDA levels of 5% to 9% of sales.”

Analysis of Impact on Demand by Markets

The Company evaluated the demand from three market drivers to analyze the potential impact to its business. The three revenue streams are (1) defense and other government markets, (2) new airplane production or OE demand, and (3) the aftermarket for commercial transport aircraft.

Approximately 20% of Astronics’ sales in 2019 were to the defense or other government markets, including the majority of the Test business and certain military aircraft programs. Demand in these areas has not been affected to date by the pandemic and shows significant strength.

An estimated 55% of sales in 2019 were driven by the production of new airplanes in the commercial transport and business jet markets. For Astronics, the commercial transport market is the more significant of the two. Major manufacturers in both markets have revised their production plans downward for the near future, typically on the order of 30% to 35%, which directly impacts expected sales.

The remaining 25% of sales in 2019 were to the aftermarket for commercial transport aircraft, primarily for inflight entertainment and passenger power systems (“IFE”) sold to airlines and aircraft leasing companies. With the severe decline in airline traffic due to COVID-19, the Company expects that aftermarket IFE sales will be down substantially in 2020.

Evaluating the demand from these markets, and considering first quarter actual results, Astronics expects a significant decline in sales in 2020 and has restructured the business to be cash flow positive even if sales were to decline between 30% to 35% from sales of $773 million in 2019.

Mr. Gundermann noted, “We cannot know exactly how the COVID-19 pandemic will impact the commercial transport market, but we are prepared to take additional measures as required to achieve our objective of, at a minimum, cash breakeven results. Likewise, should there be a recovery, we will be in a position to timely deliver our products.”

Liquidity and Financing

In March, Astronics drew down $150 million on its revolver and had $188 million of cash at the end of the first quarter. On May 4, 2020, the Company executed an amended credit agreement that suspended its maximum leverage coverage covenant effective with the second quarter of 2020 through the second quarter of 2021 and will reinstitute a leverage covenant beginning in the third quarter of 2021 of 6.0 to 1.0, which declines by 50 basis points in the fourth quarter. Temporary covenants through the second quarter of 2021 include a minimum liquidity requirement of cash plus the unused revolving credit facility of $180 million and a minimum interest coverage ratio of 1.75x measured quarterly, with an exception for the first quarter of 2021 for which the interest coverage ratio is 1.5x. Under the amended agreement, Astronics has mandatory repayments when Astronics’ cash level exceeds $100 million. The revolving credit facility was reduced to $375 million from $500 million. Additionally, there are temporary limits on share repurchases and acquisitions.

The Company believes that its revised lending agreement, along with the actions it has taken, positions it well to operate through the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020 Outlook

As discussed above, the Company believes revenue could drop 30% to 35% from 2019, although other outcomes are possible. Management believes it has structured the Company to be cash positive at this level, with adjusted EBITDA in the range of 5% to 9%.

Capital expenditures for 2020 are expected to be approximately $8 million, reduced from initial plans of $20 million to $25 million for the year. The reduction reflects the change in tooling and equipment capacity requirements for certain programs that were either postponed or cancelled, as well as the deferral or cancelation of discretionary investments.

Mr. Gundermann commented, “Our environment has changed dramatically since the beginning of March and we have taken a number of actions in response. We know things will continue to evolve and we will keep diligent watch, ready to make additional adjustments and changes as necessary. Our team has demonstrated an impressive discipline and willingness to act in the face of the COVID-19 threat, and I’m confident we will succeed in the end.”

First Quarter Results

*Adjusted EBITDA is a Non-GAAP Performance Measure. Please see the attached table for a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to GAAP net income.

First Quarter 2020 Results (compared with the prior-year period, unless noted otherwise)

Consolidated sales were down $50.6 million compared with the first quarter of 2019, which was the third highest revenue quarter in the Company’s history. Aerospace sales were down

$47.4 million. Test System sales decreased $3.2 million. Acquisitions contributed $3.5 million in sales in the first quarter of 2020. Semiconductor sales were down $1.7 million, as that business was divested in February 2019.

Consolidated operating loss was $67.6 million reflecting non-cash impairment charges of $74.4 million in the aerospace segment and lower sales volumes compared with the prior-year period. Impairment charges were recognized in the current quarter due to reduced expectations of future operating results due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has significantly impacted the global economy, and particularly the aerospace industry. The Company recognized full impairments of the goodwill of Astronics Connectivity Systems and Certification (“ACSC”), PGA and Custom Control Concepts (“CCC”) reporting units, and a partial impairment of the goodwill of the PECO reporting unit.

Net loss was $67.0 million, or $2.17 per diluted share, compared with net income of $78.1 million, or $2.35 per diluted share in the prior year. The after tax impact of the impairment was $68.8 million, or $2.23 per diluted share.

Consolidated adjusted EBITDA was $16.2 million, or 10.3% of consolidated sales, compared with $31.9 million, or 15.3% of consolidated sales, in the prior-year period. Adjusted EBITDA margin was negatively impacted in the 2020 first quarter by lower sales volume and the leverage lost from that decline.

Bookings were $167.4 million, for a book-to-bill ratio, excluding the semiconductor business, of 1.07:1. Backlog at the end of the quarter was $369.4 million. Approximately $268.1 million, or 73%, of backlog is expected to ship in the remainder of 2020.

In September 2019, Astronics’ Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program, authorizing the Company to repurchase, in the aggregate, up to $50 million of its outstanding stock. Approximately 282,000 shares were repurchased in the first quarter at a cost of $7.7 million before the 10b5-1 plan associated with the share repurchase program was terminated on February 3, 2020. The recently amended credit agreement temporarily restricts the repurchase of the Company’s common stock.

Mr. Gundermann commented, “We began the first quarter concerned that the 737 MAX had not gained FAA certification in late December as we had expected, and that Boeing had decided to suspend production in January. The MAX was our largest production program in 2019. Then we saw the COVID-19 disruption spread around the globe in March, affecting our operations significantly and affecting our entire industry. That we were able to adjust to the situation and produce an adjusted EBITDA of 10% is a testament to the dedication and capability of our entire team.”

Aerospace Segment Review (refer to sales by market and segment data in accompanying tables)

Aerospace First Quarter 2020 Results (compared with the prior-year period, unless noted otherwise)

Aerospace segment sales decreased $47.4 million, or 25.2%, to $141.1 million. Sales were negatively affected by the continued grounding of the 737 MAX and the OEM’s decision to temporarily cease production in January, along with the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the later part of the quarter.

Aerospace segment operating loss was $63.1 million compared with operating profit of $25.8 million the same period last year. Aerospace operating profit was impacted by impairment charges of $74.4 million, of which $73.7 million was related to goodwill, as previously discussed. Leverage lost on reduced sales also significantly impacted operating results.

Aerospace bookings in the first quarter of 2020 were $151.0 million, for a book-to-bill ratio of 1.07:1. Backlog was $285.7 million at the end of the first quarter of 2020.

Test Systems Segment Review (refer to sales by market and segment data in accompanying tables)

Test Systems First Quarter 2020 Results (compared with the prior-year period, unless noted otherwise)

Test Segment sales were $16.5 million, down $3.2 million compared with the prior-year period. Semiconductor sales decreased $1.7 million due to the sale of the semiconductor business which was divested on February 13, 2019, while organic sales decreased $5.0 million. The Acquired Businesses contributed $3.5 million in sales in the first quarter of 2020.

Test Systems operating profit was $0.7 million, or 4.4% of sales, compared with operating profit of $2.2 million, or 11.1% of sales, in last year’s first quarter. Operating profit was impacted mostly by lower leverage on decreased sales volume.

Bookings for the Test Systems segment in the quarter were $16.4 million, for a book-to-bill ratio, excluding semiconductor activity, of 1.10:1 for the quarter. Backlog was $83.7 million at the end of the first quarter of 2020.

First Quarter 2020 Webcast and Conference Call

The Company will host a teleconference today at 11:00 a.m. ET. During the teleconference, management will review the financial and operating results for the period and discuss Astronics’ corporate strategy and outlook. A question-and-answer session will follow.

The Astronics conference call can be accessed by calling 929.477.0402. The listen-only audio webcast can be monitored at www.astronics.com. To listen to the archived call, dial 412.317.6671 and enter replay pin number 9241897. The telephonic replay will be available from 2:00 p.m. on the day of the call through Wednesday, May 20, 2020. A transcript of the call will also be posted to the Company’s Web site once available.

About Astronics Corporation

Astronics Corporation (Nasdaq: ATRO) serves the world’s aerospace, defense, and other mission critical industries with proven, innovative technology solutions. Astronics works side-by-side with customers, integrating its array of power, connectivity, lighting, structures, interiors, and test technologies to solve complex challenges. For over 50 years, Astronics has delivered creative, customer-focused solutions with exceptional responsiveness. Today, global airframe manufacturers, airlines, military branches, completion centers, and Fortune 500 companies rely on the collaborative spirit and innovation of Astronics. The Company’s strategy is to increase its value by developing technologies and capabilities that provide innovative solutions to its targeted markets.

For more information on Astronics and its products, visit its Web site at www.astronics.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. One can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of the words “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “estimate” or other similar expressions and include all statements with regard to being the impact of COVID-19 on the Company and its future, achieving cash positive or neutral in 2020, expectations of demand by customers and markets, and EBTIDA margins. Because such statements apply to future events, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from what may be stated here include the impact of the global outbreak of COVID-19 and governmental and other actions taken in response, trend in growth with passenger power and connectivity on airplanes, the state of the aerospace and defense industries, the market acceptance of newly developed products, internal production capabilities, the timing of orders received, the status of customer certification processes and delivery schedules, the demand for and market acceptance of new or existing aircraft which contain the Company’s products, the need for new and advanced test and simulation equipment, customer preferences and relationships, and other factors which are described in filings by Astronics with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information in this news release whether to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes in future operating results, financial conditions or prospects, or otherwise.

FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW

¹ Impairment loss primarily represents the goodwill impairment charges incurred in our Aerospace segment. Full impairment charges totaling $73.7 million were recorded for goodwill associated to our CSC, PGA and CCC reporting units and a partial goodwill impairment was recorded at our PECO reporting unit.

Reconciliation to Non-GAAP Performance Measures

In addition to reporting net income, a U.S. generally accepted accounting principle (“GAAP”) measure, we present Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, non-cash equity-based compensation expense, goodwill, intangible and long-lived asset impairment charges, equity investment income or loss, legal reserves, settlements and recoveries, restructuring charges and gains or losses associated with the sale of businesses), which is a non-GAAP measure. The Company’s management believes Adjusted EBITDA is an important measure of operating performance because it allows management, investors and others to evaluate and compare the performance of its core operations from period to period by removing the impact of the capital structure (interest), tangible and intangible asset base (depreciation and amortization), taxes, equity-based compensation expense, goodwill, intangible and long-lived asset impairment charges, equity investment income or loss, legal reserves, settlements and recoveries, restructuring charges and gains or losses associated with the sale of businesses, which is not commensurate with the core activities of the reporting period in which it is included. As such, the Company uses Adjusted EBITDA as a measure of performance when evaluating its business and as a basis for planning and forecasting. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and is not calculated through the application of GAAP. As such, it should not be considered as a substitute for the GAAP measure of net income and, therefore, should not be used in isolation of, but in conjunction with, the GAAP measure. Adjusted EBITDA, as presented, may produce results that vary from the GAAP measure and may not be comparable to a similarly defined non-GAAP measure used by other companies.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200506005329/en/

Company:
David C. Burney, Chief Financial Officer
Phone: (716) 805-1599, ext. 159
Email: david.burney@astronics.com

Investor Relations:
Deborah K. Pawlowski, Kei Advisors LLC
Phone: (716) 843-3908
Email: dpawlowski@keiadvisors.com

Source: Astronics Corporation

Released May 6, 2020