Douglas Dynamics Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2010 Results

Highlights:

 
  Fourth Quarter Net Sales of $48.5 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $15.2 million
 
  Fourth Quarter Earnings per Diluted Share of $0.23
 
  2010 results in line with previously announced financial guidance
 
  Full Year Adjusted EBITDA of $47.3 million, an increase of 4.8% versus 2009
 
  Declares special dividend of $0.37 per share in addition to regular quarterly dividends

MILWAUKEE, March 8, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Douglas Dynamics, Inc. (NYSE:PLOW), the North American leader in the design, manufacture and sale of snow and ice control equipment for light trucks, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2010.

Fourth Quarter Results

Douglas Dynamics' fourth quarter follows its pre-season sales period in which distributors were offered pre-season pricing and payment deferral until the fourth quarter to encourage them to re-stock their inventory in anticipation of their peak fourth quarter retail sales period. Therefore, sales to distributors in Douglas Dynamics' fourth quarter vary from year-to-year as the fourth quarter is primarily driven by the level, timing and location of snowfall during the quarter as well as general economic conditions.

In the fourth quarter 2010, net sales were $48.5 million, representing a 1.4% decrease from the corresponding period in 2009. This slight decrease in net sales reflects the late start to the snow season in the Company's key markets. In many areas, significant snowfall did not begin until late December. Parts and accessories sales remained strong, at a similar level to the prior year, driven by the continued trend toward repair rather than replacement as a result of continuing poor economic conditions.

James L. Janik, President and Chief Executive Officer of Douglas Dynamics, commented, "We are pleased with our fourth quarter performance despite the late start to the snow season, which did not occur in time to generate significant demand that would impact 2010 results. We were able to produce results that were in line with our previously stated guidance and the record storms in late December and so far in 2011 bode well for a solid start to 2011 for the Company."

Janik added, "Sales of parts and accessories continued to be strong, trending higher than the average when compared to the preceding ten years, which we believe to largely be the result of the continued deferral of new equipment purchases during a slow period of economic recovery."

Net income was $5.1 million, or $0.23 per diluted share based on weighted average shares of 21.6 million shares, in the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to net income of $5.9 million, or $0.40 per diluted share based on weighted average shares of 14.7 million shares, in the fourth quarter of 2009.

The Company reported Adjusted EBITDA of $15.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, an 11.1% decrease compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $17.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2009. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA is primarily attributable to lower equipment unit shipments during the quarter and shifts in product sales mix toward lower margin mounts which is typical of the fourth quarter when distributors restock these parts to meet in-season demand.

Full Year Results

For the full year 2010, net sales were $176.8 million, representing a 1.4% increase from the corresponding period in 2009.

Net income was $1.7 million, or $0.09 per diluted share based on weighted average shares of 19.3 million shares, for the full year 2010 compared to net income of $9.8 million, or $0.67 per diluted share based on weighted average shares of 14.7 million shares, for the full year 2009. Net income for the full year 2010 reflected the impact of non-recurring expenses, net of tax, incurred in connection with the Company's initial public offering totaling $11.0 million. Adjusted net income (net income excluding these expenses) was $12.7 million, or $0.66 per diluted share.

The Company reported Adjusted EBITDA of $47.3 million for the full year 2010, a 4.8% increase compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $45.2 million for the full year 2009.

The effective tax rate for the full year 2010 was 34.4%.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

For the full year 2010, the Company recorded net cash provided by operating activities of $15.8 million compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $25.6 million in the same period last year. The net cash provided by operating activities in 2010 includes the non-recurring negative impact of $6.8 million relating to the Company's initial public offering.

Inventory was $23.5 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2010, a decrease of $3.2 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2009, which was in line with the Company's expectations.

Accounts receivable at the end of fourth quarter of 2010 were $37.0 million, an increase of $4.9 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. The increase in accounts receivable results from an increase in shipments in December 2010 versus the prior year.

Revolver borrowings at the end of the third quarter totaling $37.0 million were completely paid off by the end of the year. This is in line with historical expectations.

Dividend Policy

As previously announced, pursuant to the Company's dividend policy, its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share of the Company's common stock. The declared $0.20 per share cash dividend was paid on December 31, 2010 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 21, 2010. The quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share represented an increase of 9.6% from the initial quarterly dividend paid on September 30, 2010.

In addition to regular quarterly dividends the Company currently anticipates paying in calendar year 2011, the Company also announced in a separate press release this morning that its Board of Directors has declared a special cash dividend of $0.37 per share on the Company's common stock, for a total special dividend payment of approximately $8.0 million. The special dividend will be payable to shareholders of record as of March 21, 2011 and will be paid on March 31, 2011.

James L. Janik, President and Chief Executive Officer of Douglas Dynamics, commented, "Our priorities for excess cash remain the same: debt pay-down, acquisitions and dividends. In light of the fact that we have recently begun to evaluate opportunities to restructure our debt and had not completed any acquisitions as of December 31, 2010 based on our disciplined acquisition strategy, the board decided it was appropriate to return some excess cash to shareholders in the form of a one-time special dividend. This decision reflects the Company's strong cash flow from operations and our confidence in the Company's financial strength."

Outlook

Consistent with previously stated annual range guidance, the Company expects Adjusted EBITDA in any given year to be in a range from $35.0 million to $75.0 million. Pursuant to the Company's financial guidance practices, the Company intends to update and narrow its outlook in conjunction with its second quarter 2011 earnings press release.

The estimated effective tax rate for 2011 is 38.0%.

Mr. Janik concluded, "We made significant progress over the course of 2010 as we successfully completed our initial public offering, executed against various operational initiatives designed to increase efficiencies across our organization, and delivered solid financial results despite the challenging economy. As we have stated in the past, the potential adjusted EBITDA range for our company is between $35 and $75 million in any given year. The bottom end of that range assumes a poor economy and poor snowfall, while the top end assumes a strong economy and strong snowfall. As we look at 2011, we do not believe either extreme end of the range will occur. We are optimistic that the significant snowfall that began very late in 2010 and continued into the first quarter will help drive the flow of pent-up demand for equipment replacement throughout our business. While snowfall is a very important driver of our results, we are also awaiting and are well prepared to benefit from the beginnings of a multi-year replacement cycle as the economy continues its slow recovery."

Webcast Information

The Company will host an investor conference call on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. Central Standard Time. The conference call will be available on the Internet through the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at www.douglasdynamics.com. To listen to the live call, please go to the website at least fifteen minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, an Internet replay will be available shortly after the call.

About Douglas Dynamics

Douglas Dynamics is the North American leader in the design, manufacture and sale of snow and ice control equipment for light trucks, which consists of snowplows and sand and salt spreaders, and related parts and accessories. The Company sells its products under the WESTERN®, FISHER® and BLIZZARD® brands which are among the most established and recognized in the industry. Additional press releases and investor relations information is available at www.douglasdynamics.com.

The Douglas Dynamics, Inc. logo is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=7433

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains financial information calculated other than in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"). These non-GAAP measures include:

 
  Adjusted net income;
 
  Adjusted earnings per diluted share; and
 
  Adjusted EBITDA.

These non-GAAP disclosures should not be construed as an alternative to the reported results determined in accordance with GAAP.

Adjusted net income and Adjusted earnings per diluted share represent net income or earnings per diluted share, respectively, as determined under GAAP, excluding non-recurring expenses incurred at the time of our initial public offering, namely the buyout of our management services agreement, the loss on extinguishment of debt, stock based compensation expense associated with the net exercise of stock options, and the payment of cash bonuses under our liquidity bonus plan. Adjusted EBITDA represents net income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as further adjusted for certain non-recurring charges related to the closure of our Johnson City, Tennessee manufacturing facility, and certain unrelated legal expenses, as well as management fees paid by the Company to affiliates of the Company's principal stockholders, stock based compensation, payment of cash bonuses under our liquidity bonus plan and loss on extinguishment of debt.  

The Company uses, and believes investors benefit from the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA in evaluating our operating performance because it provides the Company and its investors with additional tools to compare its operating performance on a consistent basis by removing the impact of certain items that management believes do not directly reflect the Company's core operations. In addition, the Company believes that Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors and other external users of its consolidated financial statements in evaluating the Company's operating performance as compared to that of other companies, because it allows them to measure a company's operating performance without regard to items such as interest expense, taxes, depreciation and depletion, and amortization and accretion, which can vary substantially from company to company depending upon accounting methods and book value of assets and liabilities, capital structure and the method by which assets were acquired. The Company's management also uses Adjusted EBITDA for planning purposes, including the preparation of its annual operating budget and financial projections. Management also uses Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the Company's ability to make certain payments, including dividends, in compliance with its senior credit facilities, which is determined based on a calculation of "Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA" that is substantially similar to Adjusted EBITDA. 

Management believes that the presentation of Adjusted net income and Adjusted earnings per diluted share provides useful information to investors by facilitating comparisons to the Company's historical performance.

Consistent with Regulation G under the U.S. federal securities laws, the non-GAAP measures in this press release have been reconciled to the nearest GAAP measure, and this reconciliation is located under the headings "Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Net Income" and "Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation" following the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, included in this press release.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements include information relating to future events, future financial performance, strategies, expectations, competitive environment, regulation and availability of financial resources. These statements are often identified by use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "estimate," "expect," "continue," "should," "could," "may," "plan," "project," "predict," "will" and similar expressions and include references to assumptions and relate to the Company's future prospects, developments and business strategies. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, weather conditions, particularly lack of or reduced levels of snowfall, a significant decline in economic conditions, the Company's inability to maintain good relationships with its distributors,  lack of available or favorable financing options for the Company's end-users or distributors, increases in the price of steel or other materials necessary for the production of the Company's products that cannot be passed on to distributors, the inability of the Company's suppliers to meet its volume or quality requirements, our inability to protect or continue to build the Company's intellectual property portfolio, our inability to develop new products or improve on existing products in response to end-user needs, losses due to lawsuits arising out of personal injury associated with our products, factors that could impact dividend payments and the Company's inability to compete effectively against competition, as well as those discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors," in the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2010.  You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. In addition, the forward-looking statements in this release speak only as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation, except as required by law, to update or release any revisions to any forward-looking statement, even if new information becomes available in the future.

Financial Statements

Douglas Dynamics, Inc.
                                                                        Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                                                                     (In thousands)
                                                                                                
                                                                     December 31,     December 31,
                                                                             2010             2009
                                                                      (unaudited)        (audited)
                                                                                                
                                                           Assets                                
                                                  Current assets:                                
                                        Cash and cash equivalents        $ 20,149        $ 69,073
                                         Accounts receivable, net          37,040          32,172
                                                      Inventories          23,481          26,697
                                            Deferred income taxes           7,142           3,729
                                             Prepaid income taxes              29              --
                            Prepaid management fees-related party              --             417
                                 Prepaid and other current assets           1,131           1,446
                                             Total current assets          88,972         133,534
                                                                                                
                              Property, plant, and equipment, net          21,962          26,661
                                             Assets held for sale           1,779              --
                                                         Goodwill         107,222         107,222
                                     Other intangible assets, net         126,948         132,950
                                    Deferred financing costs, net             953           3,311
                                           Other long-term assets             207             941
                                                     Total assets       $ 348,043       $ 404,619
                                                                                                
           Liabilities, redeemable stock and stockholders' equity                                
                                             Current liabilities:                                
                                                 Accounts payable         $ 2,847         $ 5,170
                   Accrued expenses and other current liabilities          11,923          12,598
                                                 Accrued interest              23           5,367
                                             Income taxes payable              --           1,202
                                Current portion of long-term debt           1,183             850
                                        Total current liabilities          15,976          25,187
                                                                                                
                                Retiree health benefit obligation           7,235           7,848
                                               Pension obligation          10,753           8,957
                                            Deferred income taxes          22,650          18,913
                                            Deferred compensation           1,067           1,482
                             Long-term debt, less current portion         119,971         231,813
                                    Other long-term liabilities              898           2,195
                                                                                                
                                       Redeemable preferred stock              --               2
                                       Total stockholders' equity         169,493         108,222
     Total liabilities, redeemable stock and stockholders' equity       $ 348,043       $ 404,619
 
                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                          Douglas Dynamics, Inc.
                                                                                                                                                               Consolidated Statements of Income
                                                                                                                                                               (In thousands, except share data)
                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                 Three Month Period Ended                             Twelve Month Period Ended
                                                                                             December 31, 2010          December 31, 2009          December 31, 2010          December 31, 2009
                                                                                                                              (unaudited)                                           (unaudited)
                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                           Net sales                  $ 48,457                  $ 49,136                 $ 176,795                 $ 174,342
                                                                       Cost of sales                    30,424                    29,741                   116,494                   117,264
                                                                        Gross profit                    18,033                    19,395                    60,301                    57,078
                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                        Selling, general, and administrative expense                     5,982                     4,642                    26,509                    20,085
                                                            Intangibles amortization                     1,380                     1,540                     6,001                     6,161
                                                       Management fees-related party                        13                       327                     6,383                     1,393
                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                              Income from operations                    10,658                    12,886                    21,408                    29,439
                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                               Interest expense, net                    (1,905)                    (3,764)                   (10,943)                   (15,520)
                                                      Loss on extinguishment of debt                         --                        --                    (7,967)                        --
                                                         Other income (expense), net                        43                        15                        36                       (90)
                                                                 Income before taxes                     8,796                     9,137                     2,534                    13,829
                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                  Income tax expense                     3,675                     3,235                       872                     3,986
                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                          Net income                   $ 5,121                   $ 5,902                   $ 1,662                   $ 9,843
                           Less: Net Income attributable to Participating Securities                        50                        --                        12                         --
                                      Net income attributable to common shareholders                   $ 5,071                   $ 5,902                   $ 1,650                   $ 9,843
                                                                                                                                                                                           
                               Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:                                                                                                        
                                                                               Basic                21,280,623                14,421,736                18,799,761                14,423,470
                                                                             Diluted                21,609,098                14,747,041                19,287,446                14,748,798
                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                 Earnings per share:                                                                                                        
                 Basic Earnings Per Common Share Attributable to Common Shareholders                   $ 0.24                   $ 0.41                   $ 0.09                   $ 0.68
     Earnings per Common Share Assuming Dilution Attributable to Common Shareholders                   $ 0.23                   $ 0.40                   $ 0.09                   $ 0.67
                                          Cash dividends declared and paid per share                   $ 0.20                   $ --                    $ 0.38                   $ -- 
 
                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                      Douglas Dynamics, Inc.
                                                                                                       Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                                                                                                              (In thousands)
                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                  Twelve Month Period Ended
                                                                                               December 31, 2010          December 31, 2009
                                                                                                                                (unaudited)
                                                                                                                                         
                                                                  Operating activities                                                    
                                                                            Net income                   $ 1,662                   $ 9,843
     Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:                                                    
                                                         Depreciation and amortization                    11,705                    11,958
                                              Amortization of deferred financing costs                       872                     1,209
                                                        Loss on extinguishment of debt                      7,967                        --
                                                              Stock-based compensation                     4,029                       732
                                           Provision for losses on accounts receivable                       445                       133
                                                                 Deferred income taxes                       641                     1,810
                                          Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                                                    
                                                                   Accounts receivable                    (5,313)                    (3,717)
                                                                           Inventories                     3,216                     2,105
                                     Prepaid and other assets and prepaid income taxes                     1,437                      (776)
                                                                      Accounts payable                    (2,323)                       218
                                        Accrued expenses and other current liabilities                    (7,201)                     1,127
                                                                 Deferred compensation                      (415)                      (162)
                                   Benefit obligations and other long-term liabilities                      (945)                     1,091
                                             Net cash provided by operating activities                    15,777                    25,571
                                                                                                                                         
                                                                  Investing activities                                                    
                                                                  Capital expenditures                    (3,009)                    (8,200)
                                                       Proceeds from sale of equipment                       226                        --
                                                 Net cash used in investing activities                    (2,783)                    (8,200)
                                                                                                                                         
                                                                  Financing activities                                                    
                                                                     Stock repurchases                      (166)                    (1,000)
                                                                        Dividends paid                    (8,222)                        --
         Payment of call premium and post payoff interest on senior notes redemption                     (3,876)                        --
                                        Collection of stockholders' notes receivable                        531                        --
                                                         Payments of financing costs                     (2,605)                        --
                                          Proceeds from initial public offering, net                     63,929                        --
                                                          Borrowings on long-term debt                    40,000                        --
                                                           Repayment of long-term debt                  (151,509)                      (850)
                                                 Net cash used in financing activities                   (61,918)                    (1,850)
                                                   Change in cash and cash equivalents                   (48,924)                    15,521
                                        Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                    69,073                    53,552
                                              Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                  $ 20,149                  $ 69,073
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Douglas Dynamics, Inc.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation (unaudited)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      (in thousands)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Three month period ended December 31,                                                                                                                                                                                                              Twelve month period ended December 31,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 2010                                                                                                                      2009                                                                                                                      2010                                                                                                                      2009
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                  Net Income                                                                                                                 $ 5,121                                                                                                                 $ 5,902                                                                                                                 $ 1,662                                                                                                                 $ 9,843
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                      Interest Expense - Net                                                                                                                    1,905                                                                                                                    3,764                                                                                                                   10,943                                                                                                                   15,520
                                                                                                                                Income Taxes                                                                                                                    3,675                                                                                                                    3,235                                                                                                                      872                                                                                                                    3,986
                                                                                                                        Depreciation Expense                                                                                                                      878                                                                                                                    1,919                                                                                                                    5,704                                                                                                                    5,797
                                                                                                                                Amortization                                                                                                                    1,380                                                                                                                    1,540                                                                                                                    6,001                                                                                                                    6,161
                                                                                                                                      EBITDA                                                                                                                   12,959                                                                                                                   16,360                                                                                                                   25,182                                                                                                                   41,307
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                             Management Fees                                                                                                                       13                                                                                                                      327                                                                                                                    6,383                                                                                                                    1,393
                                                                                                                    Stock Based Compensation                                                                                                                      871                                                                                                                     --                                                                                                                     4,029                                                                                                                      732
                                                                                                              Loss on Extinguishment of Debt                                                                                                                     --                                                                                                                      --                                                                                                                     7,967                                                                                                                     -- 
                                                                                                                     Liquidity Bonus Payment                                                                                                                     --                                                                                                                      --                                                                                                                     1,003                                                                                                                     -- 
                                                                                                             Other non-recurring charges (1)                                                                                                                    1,398                                                                                                                      462                                                                                                                    2,781                                                                                                                    1,748
                                                                                                                             Adjusted EBITDA                                                                                                                $ 15,241                                                                                                                $ 17,149                                                                                                                $ 47,345                                                                                                                $ 45,180
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
(1) Reflects severance and one-time, non-recurring expenses for costs related to the closure of our Johnson City facility of $607 and $157 for the three month periods ending December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively and $1,435 and $1,054 for years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, unrelated legal fees of $791 and $306 for the three month periods ending December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively and $2,013 and $694 for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 respectively, and $667 gain on other post employment benefit plan curtailment related to the Johnson City plant closure for the year ended December 31, 2010. 
 
                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                             Douglas Dynamics, Inc.
                                                                                                Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Net Income
                                                                                                                      $ Millions, except share data
                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                              Three months ended      Twelve month period ended 
                                                                                                 December 31, 2010               December 31, 2010
                                                                         Net Income (GAAP)                     $5.1                            $1.7
     Addback non-recurring expenses, net of tax at 38.0%, incurred at the time of the IPO:                                                       
                                             - Buyout of the Management Services Agreement                     $0.0                            $3.6
                                                          - Loss on extinguishment of debt                     $0.0                            $4.9
                                                                 - Liquidity bonus payment                     $0.0                            $0.6
                                          - Non-Recurring stock based compensation expense                     $0.0                            $1.9
                                                            Adjusted Net Income (non-GAAP)                     $5.1                           $12.7
                                                                                                                                                
                                                               Average Basic Common Shares              21,280,623                     18,799,761
                                                   Average Common Shares Assuming Dilution              21,609,098                     19,287,446
                                                                                                                                                
                                                                EPS Basic per common share                 $ 0.24                        $ 0.67
                                                             EPS Dilutive per common share                 $ 0.23                        $ 0.66
CONTACT: Douglas Dynamics, Inc.
         Bob McCormick
         414-362-3868
         investorrelations@douglasdynamics.com

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Source: Douglas Dynamics, Inc.