/EINPresswire.com/ -- LONGUEUIL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - May 25, 2017) - Héroux-Devtek Inc. (TSX:HRX)

FOURTH QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS:

• Sales of $120.9 million, strongest quarterly sales in the Corporation's history
• Adjusted EBITDA¹ of $19.2 million and adjusted net income¹ of $9.1 million, or $0.25 per share
• Strong free cash flow generation of $22.8 million in Q4 reflecting working capital improvements
• Customer approval received for a second surface treatment process for the Boeing 777 contract

FISCAL 2017 HIGHLIGHTS:

• Sales of $406.5 million, stable compared with the previous year
• Adjusted EBITDA¹ of $61.4 million and adjusted net income¹ of $26.4 million, or $0.73 per share
• Free cash flow generation of $33.0 million, as opposed to usage of $66.3 million a year ago
• Solid financial position at year end with cash and cash equivalents of $42.5 million
• Three-year extension of the Corporation's Credit Facility to May 2022

Héroux-Devtek Inc. (TSX:HRX), ("Héroux-Devtek" or the "Corporation"), a leading international manufacturer of aerospace products, today reported its results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2017. Unless otherwise indicated, all amounts are in Canadian dollars.

"In fiscal 2017, Héroux-Devtek focussed on executing its business strategy aimed at building a sustainable future for the Corporation. We made initial deliveries on the largest landing gear contract in our history to supply The Boeing Company ("Boeing") with complete landing gear systems for the Boeing 777 and 777X aircraft. We also widened our reach in the worldwide landing gear market by signing multi-year agreements with global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Finally, Héroux-Devtek concluded the fiscal year with a strong financial position, from which it can confidently invest in value-creating initiatives to the benefit of its shareholders," said Gilles Labbé, President and CEO of Héroux-Devtek.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS		Quarters ended March 31,			Fiscal years ended March 31,
(in thousands of dollars, except per share data)		2017	2016		2017	2016
Sales		120,886	117,496		406,536	406,812
EBITDA1		15,547	20,713		61,120	62,590
Adjusted EBITDA1		19,181	20,713		61,448	64,070
Net income		8,895	9,091		31,768	26,641
	Per share - diluted ($)	0.25	0.25		0.88	0.74
Adjusted net income1		9,077	9,091		26,353	27,650
	Per share ($)	0.25	0.25		0.73	0.77
Weighted-average shares outstanding (diluted, in '000s)		36,300	36,188		36,284	36,119

1	This is a non-IFRS measure. Please refer to the "Non-IFRS Measures" section at the end of this press release.

FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS

Consolidated sales reached $120.9 million, compared with $117.5 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. This 2.9% increase reflects higher sales to the commercial aerospace market, as detailed below, while year-over-year fluctuations in the value of the Canadian currency versus foreign currencies had a negative impact of $3.5 million on fourth-quarter sales.

Commercial sales rose 11.9% to $60.8 million, versus $54.3 million last year. The increase is mainly attributable to the beginning of deliveries for the Boeing 777 program, partially offset by lower customer requirements for certain business jet and large commercial aircraft programs, as well as unfavourable currency fluctuations.

Defence sales declined 4.9%, from $63.2 million to $60.1 million. This variation is essentially due to lower repair and overhaul sales to the U.S. Air Force, as well as unfavourable currency fluctuations, partially offset by a catch-up in sales of spare parts to the U.S. government.

Gross profit was $20.8 million, or 17.2% of sales, versus $22.2 million, or 18.9% of sales, last year. The decline mainly reflects a higher under-absorption of costs, including excess processing and finishing costs related to the Boeing 777 program. These excess costs are expected to normalize upon completion of the customer qualification and approval of Héroux-Devtek's surface treatment processes. This factor was partially offset by favourable year-over-year currency fluctuations equivalent to 1.8% of sales.

As a result of the reduction in gross profit, adjusted EBITDA was $19.2 million, or 15.9% of sales, compared with $20.7 million, or 17.6% of sales, a year ago. This year's adjusted EBITDA excluded restructuring charges of $3.6 million, mainly comprised of employee-related costs as part of workforce adjustments announced in February 2017.

Net income reached $8.9 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017. Excluding non-recurring items net of taxes, adjusted net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 stood at $9.1 million, or $0.25 per share, stable compared with the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. Adjusted net income excluded an after-tax amount of $2.5 million related to a non-cash gain resulting from the update of the estimated repayment schedule for one government authority loan.

YEAR-END RESULTS

For fiscal 2017, consolidated sales reached $406.5 million, essentially stable compared with $406.8 million in fiscal 2016. Year-over-year fluctuations in the value of the Canadian currency versus foreign currencies increased sales by $3.4 million. Commercial sales increased 2.1% to $210.8 million, while defence sales decreased 2.3% to $195.7 million.

Gross profit for fiscal 2017 amounted to $68.0 million, equivalent to 16.7% of sales, compared with $74.3 million, or 18.3% of sales, in fiscal 2016. Adjusted EBITDA reached $61.4 million, or 15.1% of sales, versus $64.1 million, or 15.7% of sales, a year earlier. Net income was $31.8 million, or $0.88 per diluted share, in fiscal 2017, compared with $26.6 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, in fiscal 2016. Adjusted net income stood at $26.4 million, or $0.73 per share, versus $27.7 million, or $0.77 per share, last year.

STRONG FREE CASH FLOW GENERATION AND SOLID FINANCIAL POSITION

In fiscal 2017, Héroux-Devtek generated a solid free cash flow of $33.0 million, as opposed to negative $66.3 million in fiscal 2016. This significant increase stems from higher cash flows related to operating activities attributable to improved working capital, as well as from a reduction in capital investments following the completion, in fiscal 2016, of the Corporation's comprehensive investment plan related to the Boeing 777 and 777X contract. The working capital improvement was mainly realized in the fourth quarter, resulting in a strong free cash flow of $22.8 million during the period.

Reflecting this free cash flow generation, Héroux-Devtek's financial position further improved as at March 31, 2017, with cash and cash equivalents of $42.5 million, while total long-term debt was $134.8 million, including the current portion, but excluding net deferred financing costs. Long-term debt includes $55.9 million drawn against the Corporation's authorized Credit Facility of $200.0 million. As a result, the net debt position was $92.3 million at the end of fiscal 2017, down sharply from $128.0 million at the end of fiscal 2016. The net-debt-to equity ratio stood at 0.26:1 as at March 31, 2017, versus 0.39:1 twelve months earlier.

THREE-YEAR EXTENSION OF THE AUTHORIZED CREDIT FACILITY

Héroux-Devtek has reached an agreement with a syndicate of banks to amend and restate its existing Credit Facility. Under the terms of the agreement, the Credit Facility has been extended for a three-year period with a new maturity date set for May 2022. The authorized amount remains $200 million, while the additional amount that could be borrowed, subject to lenders' consent, has been increased from $75 million to $100 million.

The Credit Facility will be used for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes of Héroux-Devtek and its subsidiaries, including acquisitions. It is secured by all assets of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, and is subject to certain restrictive covenants and corporate guarantees granted by the Corporation and its subsidiaries.

UPDATE ON B-777 AND B-777X CONTRACT

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, Héroux-Devtek continued to ramp-up production of complete landing gear systems for this program. The Corporation delivered 21 complete systems in fiscal 2017 and continues to meet production requirements.

Also during the fourth quarter, Héroux-Devtek received customer approval for a second main surface treatment process required under this contract in order to produce the most critical components internally. Customer qualification and approval is progressing for the remaining surface treatment processes. Management expects this phase to be completed in fiscal 2018.

OUTLOOK

In the large commercial aircraft sector, Boeing and Airbus are adjusting production rates ahead of introducing certain more fuel efficient aircraft variants on several leading programs through calendar 2020. Their backlogs remain healthy despite a reduction in new firm orders since calendar 2016. The reduction has been more important for twin-aisle aircraft, including the Boeing 777 program. In the business jet sector, aircraft shipments declined 7.9% in calendar 2016 reflecting an economic contraction in certain emerging markets, notably Brazil and Russia. The Corporation remains well positioned in this market given the current and future ramp-up of certain models for which it has designed the landing gear. In the defence aerospace market, the new U.S. administration indicated its intention to increase funding, which could be positive for certain programs. In this regard, greater defence funding was proposed for the 2018 U.S. government's fiscal year. The Corporation's U.K. operations provide a more geographically diversified defence portfolio, which reduces its relative exposure to the U.S. market and creates more international opportunities. The balance between new component manufacturing and aftermarket products and services in the Corporation's defence portfolio and its leading program content also promote more stability.

As at March 31, 2017, Héroux-Devtek's funded (firm orders) backlog stood at $405 million, versus $424 million three months earlier.

"Héroux-Devtek is dedicated to building a sustainable future. Our state-of-the-art facilities, talented employees, important content on leading programs, as well as solid relationships with leading aerospace OEMs are essential attributes in achieving success. In the short-term, results will reflect reduced production rates announced by some OEMs for certain aircraft programs, including the Boeing 777. As a result, we expect a low single-digit decrease in sales for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018 when compared to the fiscal year just ended. Following this transition year, we expect sales growth to gradually resume, driven by the ramp-up of new programs, to reach between $480 and $520 million in fiscal 2021. Meanwhile, our solid financial position enables us to continue looking for new business opportunities and for strategic acquisitions that would complement current activities and create further value for shareholders," concluded Mr. Labbé.

CONFERENCE CALL

Héroux-Devtek Inc. will hold a conference call to discuss these results on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at 10:00 AM Eastern Time. Interested parties can join the call by dialling 1-877-223-4471 (North America) or 1-647-788-4922 (overseas). The conference call can also be accessed via live webcast at Héroux-Devtek's website, www.herouxdevtek.com/investor-relations/events or www.gowebcasting.com/8468.

If you are unable to call in at this time, you may access a tape recording of the meeting by calling 1-800-585-8367 and entering the passcode 11011930 on your phone. This tape recording will be available on Thursday, May 25, 2017 as of 1:00 PM Eastern Time until 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Thursday, June 1, 2017.

PROFILE

Héroux-Devtek Inc. (TSX:HRX) is an international company specializing in the design, development, manufacture and repair and overhaul of landing gear and actuation systems and components for the Aerospace market. The Corporation is the third largest landing gear company worldwide, supplying both the commercial and defence sectors of the Aerospace market with new landing gear systems and components, as well as aftermarket products and services. The Corporation also manufactures hydraulic systems, fluid filtration systems and electronic enclosures. Approximately 80% of the Corporation's sales are outside Canada, including about 55% 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, Cambridge and Toronto, Ontario; Springfield and Strongsville, Ohio; Wichita, Kansas; Everett, Washington; and Runcorn, Nottingham and Bolton, United Kingdom.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Except for historical information provided herein, this press release contains information and statements of a forward-looking nature concerning the future performance of the Corporation. Forward looking statements are based on assumptions 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. Please see the Guidance section in the Corporation's MD&A for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, for further details regarding the material assumptions underlying the forecasts and guidance. Such forecasts and guidance are provided for the purpose of assisting the reader in understanding the Corporation's financial performance and prospects and to present management's assessment of future plans and operations, and the reader is cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes.

NON-IFRS MEASURES

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"), adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share and free cash flow 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. Refer to Non-IFRS financial measures under Operating Results in the Corporation's MD&A for definitions of these measures and reconciliations to the most comparable IFRS measures.

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