• Q4 sales from continuing operations of $91.2 million, including $14.7 million from APPH
• 32.1% increase in Q4 adjusted¹ EBITDA from continuing operations to $13.2 million
• Q4 adjusted¹ earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.19, versus $0.15 last year
• Funded backlog of $456 million, including $93 million from APPH
• Objective to achieve annual sales of approximately $500 million within the next five years
  
  

LONGUEUIL, QC, May 29, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Héroux-Devtek Inc. (TSX: HRX), ("Héroux-Devtek" or the "Corporation"), a leading Canadian manufacturer of aerospace products, today reported its results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2014. Unless otherwise indicated, all amounts are in Canadian dollars. Net income from discontinued operations for the quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 includes the results of substantially all of the Corporation's Aerostructure and Industrial Products operations sold to Precision Castparts Corp. (NYSE: PCP) on August 31, 2012 and the gain from the sale of discontinued operations.

"Héroux-Devtek made significant strides in regards to further enhancing its status as one of the leading landing gear designer and manufacturer in the world over the course of fiscal 2014," said Gilles Labbé, President and CEO of Héroux-Devtek. "The fiscal year was highlighted by the award of the largest landing gear contract in our history for the supply of complete landing gear systems for the Boeing 777 and 777X aircraft and the strategic acquisition of APPH, which broadened our geographical reach and the scope of our product and service offering. We also further progressed on our landing gear design and development programs and we are on the verge of generating higher sales through initial production ramp-ups. These major achievements made Héroux-Devtek a stronger company and provided us with an expanded network and portfolio that we can leverage to create even more long-term value for all stakeholders, while maintaining a healthy financial position."

FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS
Consolidated sales from continuing operations amounted to $91.2 million, up from $73.8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. This $17.4 million increase reflects mainly a $14.7 million contribution over a two-month period from APPH.

Sales to the commercial aerospace market increased 17.9% to $38.0 million reflecting commercial sales of $6.9 million from APPH over a two-month period. Excluding the latter, commercial sales declined slightly, as lower sales in the regional jet market and lower aftermarket sales on the Bombardier CL-415 program were partially offset by higher sales to the large commercial aircraft market, mainly from new actuator business on the B-777 program. Sales to the military aerospace market rose 28.0% to $53.2 million mainly driven by a $7.8 million two-month contribution from APPH. On an internal basis, military sales increased 9.2% due to higher spare parts requirements on the P-3 and C-130 programs and favourable currency fluctuations.

Fluctuations in the value of the Canadian currency versus the US currency increased fourth-quarter sales by $2.4 million but had a negative effect equivalent to 0.3% of sales, on gross profit compared with last year's fourth quarter. The impact of currency movements on the Corporation's gross profit is influenced by the use of forward foreign exchange sales contracts and the natural hedging from the purchase of materials made in U.S. dollars.

Gross profit reached $15.4 million, or 16.9% of sales, up from $12.0 million, or 16.3% of sales, last year. The increase in dollars mainly reflects the acquisition of APPH, while the increase as a percentage of sales stems from a favorable military aftermarket product mix and lower non-quality costs, partially offset by a higher under-absorption of manufacturing overhead costs resulting from a slowdown in military repair and overhaul activities.

Reflecting higher gross profit, adjusted EBITDA, which excludes acquisition-related costs of $3.6 million and restructuring charges of $1.9 million related to manufacturing capacity optimization and consolidation initiatives announced in January 2014, stood at $13.2 million, or 14.5% of sales, up from $10.0 million, or 13.6% of sales, a year ago. Adjusted net income from continuing operations, which excludes acquisition-related costs and restructuring charges, net of taxes, stood at $6.0 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, versus $4.6 million, or $0.15 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013.

FISCAL 2014 RESULTS
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, consolidated sales from continuing operations reached $272.0 million, up 5.8% from $257.0 million in fiscal 2013. Excluding the $14.7 million two-month contribution from APPH, sales held steady. Sales to the commercial aerospace market grew 9.7% to $121.8 million, while sales to the military aerospace market rose 2.9% to $150.3 million. Currency variations increased sales by $2.8 million, but reduced gross profit by $1.0 million in fiscal 2014.

Gross profit amounted to $42.4 million, or 15.6% of sales, up from $39.8 million, or 15.5% of sales, in fiscal 2013 reflecting the addition of APPH. Excluding acquisition-related costs of $5.0 million and restructuring charges of $1.9 million, adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations stood at $35.8 million, or 13.2% of sales, in fiscal 2014, compared with $33.0 million, or 12.8% of sales, a year earlier. Adjusted net income from continuing operations totalled $15.3 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, versus $13.4 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, in the prior year.

FINANCIAL POSITION
As at March 31, 2014, Héroux-Devtek's balance sheet remained healthy, even after considering the acquisition of APPH. Cash and cash equivalents stood at $47.3 million, or $1.50 per share, while total debt was $150.5 million, excluding net deferred financing costs. Total debt includes $100.9 million drawn against the Corporation's authorized Credit Facility, which was increased to $200.0 million, from $150.0 million, and extended by three years to March 2019 at the end of fiscal 2014. As a result, the Corporation's net debt position stood at $103.1 million as at March 31, 2014, while the net-debt-to equity ratio was 0.43.

RECENT EVENT
Earlier today, Héroux-Devtek announced a comprehensive capital investment plan (the "Plan") enabling the Corporation to successfully carry out an important long-term contract to supply The Boeing Company with complete landing gear systems for the B-777 and B-777X aircraft, with deliveries scheduled to begin in early calendar 2017. The Plan calls for investments of approximately $90 million directly related to this contract, essentially spanning the Corporation's fiscal years ending on March 31, 2015 and 2016. This amount is in addition to planned regular maintenance capital investments currently projected at approximately $30 million over this two-year period. The Plan calls for the expansion of the existing facility network and investments in leading-edge machinery and equipment. Projects under the Plan will be financed with the Corporation's available cash, existing credit facilities and new finance leases.

OUTLOOK
Conditions remain favourable in the commercial aerospace market. Large commercial aircraft manufacturers are increasing production rates on certain leading programs through calendar 2017 and order backlogs remain strong, representing eight years of production at current rates. In the business jet market, key indicators continue to suggest improving market conditions and sustained growth over several years driven by a better economy and new aircraft introduction, including three models for which Héroux-Devtek developed the landing gear. The military aerospace market should remain difficult and although sequestration cuts were eliminated through the U.S. Government's 2015 fiscal year, current funding requests beyond that horizon exceed planned budget limits, which could affect the Corporation over its ensuing fiscal years. However, as APPH reduces Héroux-Devtek's relative exposure to the U.S. military market, a more geographically diversified military portfolio, mainly composed of leading programs, and also balanced between new component manufacturing and aftermarket products and services, should lessen any impact in this market.

As at March 31, 2014, Héroux-Devtek's funded (firm orders) backlog stood at $456 million, including $93 million from APPH, versus $361 million at the beginning of the fiscal year.

"In the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015, Héroux-Devtek will benefit from a full-year contribution from APPH, while internal sales should be relatively stable compared with the year just ended. As forces driving our main markets are not expected to evolve materially, we anticipate an increase in internal sales to the commercial aerospace market to be offset by lower internal sales to the military aerospace market. Over a longer-term horizon, our performance will be driven by the initial contribution and subsequent growth of European operations, the start-up of the Boeing 777 contract, the ramp-up of our landing gear design programs, large aircraft manufacturers achieving scheduled production rate increases, a sustained recovery in the business jet market and stable military conditions beyond fiscal 2015. Given our existing contracts and key industry drivers, we believe Héroux-Devtek can achieve annual sales of approximately $500 million within the next five years, assuming no further acquisition," concluded Mr. Labbé.

CONFERENCE CALL
Héroux-Devtek Inc. will hold a conference call to discuss these results on Thursday, May 29, 2014 at 10:00 AM Eastern Time. Interested parties can join the call by dialling (514) 807-9895 (Montreal or overseas) or 1-888-231-8191 (elsewhere in North America). The conference call can also be accessed via live webcast at Héroux-Devtek's website, www.herouxdevtek.com, www.newswire.ca or www.q1234.com.

If you are unable to call in at this time, you may access a tape recording of the meeting by calling 1-855-859-2056 and entering the passcode 29865558 on your phone. This tape recording will be available on Thursday, May 29, 2014 as of 1:00 PM Eastern Time until 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Thursday, June 5, 2014.

PROFILE
Héroux-Devtek Inc. (TSX: HRX) is a Canadian company specializing in the design, development, manufacture and repair and overhaul of landing gear systems and components for the Aerospace market. The Corporation is the third largest landing gear company worldwide, supplying both the commercial and military sectors of the Aerospace market with new landing gear systems and components, as well as aftermarket products and services. The Corporation also manufactures electronic enclosures, heat exchangers and cabinets for suppliers of airborne radar, electro-optic systems and aircraft controls through its Magtron operations.  On a pro forma basis, approximately 75% of the Corporation's sales are outside Canada, including 50% in the United States. The Corporation's head office is located in Longueuil, Québec with facilities in the Greater Montreal area (Longueuil, Laval and St-Hubert); Kitchener and Toronto, Ontario; Springfield and Cleveland, Ohio; Wichita, Kansas; and Runcorn, Nottingham and Bolton, United Kingdom.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Except for historical information provided herein, this press release may contain information and statements of a forward-looking nature concerning the future performance of the Corporation. These statements are based on suppositions and uncertainties as well as on management's best possible evaluation of future events. Such factors may include, without excluding other considerations, fluctuations in quarterly results, evolution in customer demand for the Corporation's products and services, the impact of price pressures exerted by competitors, and general market trends or economic changes. As a result, readers are advised that actual results may differ from expected results.

NON-IFRS MEASURES
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"), adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income from continuing operations and adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations are financial measures not prescribed by International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and are not likely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Management considers these to be useful information to assist investors in evaluating the Corporation's profitability, liquidity and ability to generate funds to finance its operations.

Note to readers: Complete audited consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion & Analysis are available on Héroux-Devtek's website at www.herouxdevtek.com.

SOURCE Héroux-Devtek Inc.