Douglas Dynamics Announces Second Quarter 2017 Results

Produced Results in line with Internal Expectations; Narrows Full-Year Outlook

Second Quarter Highlights:

• Produced strong second quarter revenue of $139.4 million
• Second quarter Net income of $14.8 million, or $0.64 per diluted share
• Recorded Adjusted EBITDA of $31.3 million
• Paid $0.24 per share cash dividend per share
• Company narrows Full-Year 2017 outlook
• Work Truck Solutions segment completed acquisition of Arrowhead Equipment

MILWAUKEE, Aug. 07, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  Douglas Dynamics, Inc. (NYSE:PLOW), North America’s premier manufacturer and upfitter of work truck attachments and equipment, today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2017.

James L. Janik, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer commented, “We are pleased with the overall direction of our business and continue to make progress with the integration of the Work Truck Solutions segment. Our results this quarter are in line with our internal expectations and we are seeing a more balanced performance across our more diverse business offering. As we look into the second half of the year, we are focused on driving improvements across both segments through DDMS and taking advantage of all available opportunities.”

Consolidated Second Quarter Results

Net sales were $139.4 million in the second quarter of 2017, compared to second quarter 2016 net sales of $113.8 million. The increase is attributable to the addition of the Work Truck Solutions segment in July 2016.

Gross profit was $45.0 million, or 32.3% of net sales, for the second quarter of 2017, compared to $41.5 million, or 36.5% of net sales, in the second quarter of 2016. The increase is attributable to the addition of the Work Truck Solutions segment in July 2016.  Additionally, gross profit as a percentage of sales decreased for the second quarter of 2017 due to lower volumes at Work Truck Attachments and less favorable commodity pricing when compared to the same period last year.

Net income for the second quarter of 2017 was $14.8 million, or $0.64 per diluted share based on weighted average shares of 22.6 million shares, compared to net income of $16.3 million, or $0.71 per diluted share based on weighted average shares of 22.5 million shares, in the second quarter of 2016.

The Company reported Adjusted EBITDA of $31.3 million in the second quarter of 2017, a slight decrease when compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $32.7 million recorded in the second quarter of 2016.

The effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2017 was 34.0%. The estimated effective tax rate for full year 2017 is expected to be approximately 36.0%. The effective rate for the quarter is lower than the expected rate for the full year due to the resolution of a reserve for uncertain tax positions.

Work Truck Attachments Second Quarter 2017 Results

For the second quarter, the Work Truck Attachments segment recorded revenue of $105.5 million.  The segment reported income from operations of $27.1 million. Both data points are in line with company expectations.

The Company’s commercial snow and ice management products include a pre-season ordering period that extends across the second and third quarters. In 2016, pre-season sales were more heavily weighted towards the second quarter versus the third quarter in an approximate 55%-45% split, which is in line with historical trends and averages. For 2017, the Company anticipates a similar breakdown to occur again.

Janik explained, “Our results for the quarter reflect slightly better than expected pre-season performance for our commercial snow and ice products, which is pleasing given the below average snowfall over the last two years. The ongoing stability in the economy, positive dealer sentiment and late season snowfall, plus the positive response to our new product launches, all helped produce a strong quarter. These results were partially offset by softer performance at Henderson, which we did expect given delays in the supply of truck chassis that we mentioned earlier this year. While we are receiving more chassis now, we do expect this issue to impact our workflow in the second half of the year as we work to fulfill orders. We remain focused on delivering the most customized, highest quality products to our customers and are pleased that order activity and the long-term growth outlook continues to be strong.” 

Work Truck Solutions Second Quarter 2017 Results

For the second quarter, the Work Truck Solutions segment produced revenue of $34.9 million. The segment recorded $2.5 million in income from operations for the quarter, in line with internal expectations.

“As we noted last quarter, the temporary softness in demand we saw in our Solutions segment earlier in the year largely dissipated in the second quarter. We experienced more typical demand patterns and continue to make the necessary investments in the business, laying the foundations for sustainable long-term growth. We are in the process of developing four new upfit facilities that expands our reach and opens new growth opportunities with our OEM partners. This includes the acquisition of Arrowhead Equipment in Albany, New York, which we completed in May. While we believe these investments will pay off over the long-term, there is a near-term impact on profitability,” noted Janik.

Balance Sheet

During the first six months of 2017, the Company recorded net cash provided by operating activities of $13.3 million compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $28.3 million in the same period last year. The decrease is partly attributable to a gain of approximately $10 million, recorded in the first quarter of 2016, related to the successful conclusion of a patent infringement lawsuit against Buyers Products Company, owner of the SnowDogg line of products.

Inventory was $85.9 million at the end of the second quarter of 2017, compared $60.3 million at the end of the second quarter of 2016. Accounts receivable were $80.1 million at the end of the second quarter of 2017, compared to $66.6 million at the end of the second quarter 2016. In both cases, the increase relates primarily to the addition of the Work Truck Solutions segment in July 2016.

Dividend

As previously reported, on June 8, 2017 the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.24 per share of the Company's common stock. The dividend was paid on June 30, 2017 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on June 20, 2017.

Outlook

Based on recent results, the overall economic climate, dealer sentiment, and industry trends, the Company is narrowing its 2017 financial outlook as follows:

•     Net sales are now expected to be between $470 million and $520 million.
•     Adjusted EBITDA is now predicted to range from $85 million to $105 million.
•     Earnings per share are now expected to be in the range of $1.30 per share to $1.75 per share.

It is important to note that the Company’s outlook assumes that the economy will remain stable and that the Company’s core markets will experience average snowfall levels in the fourth quarter.

Mr. Janik noted, “While there have been various positive changes as well as challenges across our business so far this year, on the whole we remain on track to meet our guidance and have narrowed the top and bottom end of our ranges accordingly. We continue to execute our low snowfall playbook and investment plans for the year and are confident we have the right long-term strategy in place to deliver shareholder value.”

Webcast Information

The Company will host a conference call on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (9:00 a.m. Central Time). The conference call will be available via 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

Home to the most trusted brands in the industry, Douglas Dynamics is North America’s premier manufacturer and up-fitter of work truck attachments and equipment. For more than 65 years, the Company has been innovating products that not only enable people to perform their jobs more efficiently and effectively, but also enable businesses to increase profitability. Through its proprietary Douglas Dynamics Management System (DDMS), the Company is committed to continuous improvement aimed at consistently producing the highest quality products, at industry-leading levels of service and delivery that ultimately drive shareholder value. The Douglas Dynamics portfolio of products and services is separated into two segments:  First, the Work Truck Attachments segment, which includes manufactured snow and ice control attachments sold under the FISHER®, HENDERSON®, SNOWEX® and WESTERN® brands. Second, the Work Truck Solutions segment, which includes the up-fit of market leading attachments and storage solutions for commercial work vehicles under the DEJANA® brand and its related sub-brands.

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”).  The non-GAAP measure used in this press release is Adjusted EBITDA.

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

Adjusted EBITDA represents net income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as further adjusted for stock based compensation, litigation proceeds, non-cash purchase accounting adjustments and certain charges related to certain unrelated legal fees and consulting fees.  The Company uses, and believes its investors benefit from the presentation of, Adjusted EBITDA in evaluating the Company’s operating performance because Adjusted EBITDA 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 amortization, 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, and 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.

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

With respect to the Company’s 2017 guidance, the Company is not able to provide a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP because it does not provide specific guidance for the various extraordinary, nonrecurring or unusual charges and other certain items. These items have not yet occurred, are out of the Company’s control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted. As a result, reconciliation of the non-GAAP guidance measures to GAAP is not available without unreasonable effort and the Company is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information.

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, product demand, the payment of dividends, 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 our future prospects, developments and business strategies.  Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our 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 and the timing of such snowfall, a significant decline in economic conditions, our inability to maintain good relationships with the original equipment manufacturers with whom we currently do significant business, lack of available or favorable financing options for our end-users or distributors, increases in the price of steel or other materials necessary for the production of our products that cannot be passed on to our distributors, increases in the price of fuel, the inability of our suppliers to meet our volume or quality requirements, inaccuracies in our estimates of future demand for our products, our inability to protect or continue to build our intellectual property portfolio, the effects of laws and regulations and their interpretations on our business and financial condition, our inability to develop new products or improve upon existing products in response to end-user needs, losses due to lawsuits arising out of personal injuries associated with our products, factors that could impact the future declaration and payment of dividends, our inability to compete effectively against competition, our inability to achieve the projected financial performance with the business of Henderson Enterprises Group, Inc., which we acquired in 2014, or the assets of Dejana Truck & Utility Equipment Company, Inc., which we acquired in 2016, or the assets of Arrowhead Equipment, Inc., which we acquired in 2017, and unexpected costs or liabilities related to such acquisitions, as well as those discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. 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 we undertake 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

For further information contact:
Douglas Dynamics, Inc.
Nathan Elwell
847-530-0249
investorrelations@douglasdynamics.com

Released August 7, 2017