Energy Recovery Reports Unaudited Financial Results for the First Quarter of 2014
FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS:
- Reflective of continued manufacturing efficiencies, gross profit margin increased from 47% in the first quarter of 2013 to 58% in the current period despite a revenue decrease of 39% caused by lower OEM sales
- Operating expenses decreased $1.5 million, or 20%, from $7.5 million in the first quarter of 2013 to $6.0 million in the current period due to lower general and administrative expenses
- On increased gross profit margin and lower operating expenses, net loss was reduced from $(4.5) million, or $(0.09) per share, in the first quarter of 2013 to $(3.7) million, or $(0.07) per share, in the first quarter of 2014
SAN LEANDRO, Calif., May 7, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Energy Recovery, Inc. (Nasdaq:ERII), a global leader in harnessing reusable energy from industrial fluid flows and pressure cycles, announced today its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2014. The Company generated net revenue of $3.9 million in the first quarter of 2014, reflecting a decrease of 39% when compared to the same period of the prior year. Insofar as neither quarter contained revenue associated with mega-project shipments, the decrease was entirely attributable to lower OEM sales in the current period, offset partially by higher aftermarket sales. Importantly, in the first quarter of 2014, the Company recognized oil & gas revenue of almost $140k for rental income in Saudi Arabia, which represents the first revenue since the inception of the initiative back in 2011. Additionally, the Company has generated substantial customer interest and proposal activity since the aggressive launch of a sales and marketing campaign about 60 days ago. In summary, net revenue was largely in line with expectations for the quarter, as normal seasonality trends imply anemic volume in the first quarter while the OEM shortfall was a matter of idiosyncratic project timing, and the management team is encouraged by the sudden surge of proposal activity and customer interest regarding the Company's new oil & gas solutions.
On decreased revenue in the first quarter of 2014, the Company was still able to increase gross profit margin from 47% in the prior-year quarter to 58% in the current period. While the Company's gross profit margin decreased in sequential terms from 63% in the fourth quarter of 2013, the gross profit margin of 58% in the current quarter included diminished levels of production in light of a plant shutdown in January along with decreased demand, thus causing lower absorption of fixed costs with a commensurate impact on margins. Product mix in the first quarter of 2014 was 61% related to PX® devices and related products and services, 35% associated with pumps and turbochargers, and 4% for rental income tied to a new oil & gas device, the last of which was for an operating lease of a IsoGenTM system to a customer in Saudi Arabia. This IsoGen system converts hydraulic pressure energy to electrical energy in a gas processing application. The product mix in the first quarter of 2013 was similar, with 62% of net revenue comprised of PX devices and 38% for pumps and turbochargers.
On increased gross profit margin and decreased revenue, the Company demonstrated a reduction in operating expenses of $1.5 million, or 20%, decreasing from $7.5 million in the first quarter of 2013 to $6.0 million in the first quarter of 2014. While the Company increased investment in sales & marketing by $0.5 million and research & development by $0.2 million to accelerate growth in new markets such as oil & gas, general & administrative spending decreased by over $2.1 million. Of this decrease, nearly $0.9 million related to a refund receivable for Spanish value-added taxes paid in 2008 and 2009 and the reversal of a liability accrued during 2011 for incremental taxes owed in 2009, all of which related to intercompany marketing services provided by the Company's Spanish subsidiary. After over four years of adjudication with the local tax authorities, the Company received a favorable ruling in March of 2014 and expects to receive the refund of approximately $0.6 million in the current year. Also impacting general & administrative expenses in the current period were decreased legal costs from litigation activity, reduced IT expenses upon successful completion of an ERP implementation, and lower accounting expenses. General & administrative expenses should normalize in subsequent quarters, while sales & marketing along with research & development should escalate as the Company ramps up the direct sales effort in the oil & gas industry and works diligently to commercialize new products for other markets.
On decreased revenue, increased gross profit margin, and reduced operating expenses, the Company reported a net loss of $(3.7) million, or $(0.07) per share, in the first quarter of 2014. Comparatively, the Company reported a net loss of $(4.5) million, or $(0.09) per share, in the first quarter of 2013. This represents an improvement in net loss of 18%, or $0.8 million and $0.02 per share, over the prior-year quarter.
In the three months ended March 31, 2014, net cash used in operating activities was $(5.9) million due to operating losses in the current period, an increase in inventory caused by low shipments in the first quarter and anticipated shipments in the second quarter, and a decrease in accrued expenses caused primarily by the payment of annual incentives and sales commissions. Also affecting cash flow in the first quarter was the repurchase of about 115,000 shares of common stock in accordance with the Board-approved stock repurchase plan, the execution of which used about $0.6 million of cash as a financing activity. Excluding current and non-current restricted cash of $8.4 million, the Company reported unrestricted cash of $11.4 million, short-term investments of $8.0 million, and long-term investments of $8.8 million, all of which represent a combined total of $28.2 million as of March 31, 2014. For the first quarter of 2014, the net loss of $(3.7) million included $1.7 million of non-cash expenses, the largest of which were depreciation and amortization of $1.0 million and share-based compensation of $0.6 million. In summary, the Company experienced a heavy use of cash in the first quarter of 2014 in accordance with normal seasonality trends, and management expects to continue robust spending to accelerate growth in new markets.
Tom Rooney, President and Chief Executive Officer, remarked, "The financial results in the first quarter came in as expected, and our focus remains fixed on sales and marketing to accelerate oil & gas commercialization as well as research & development to perfect new technologies for untapped markets. We are excited to discern our first revenue recognized from an operating lease for an IsoGen device deployed in Saudi Arabia, but more importantly, we are thrilled to observe a substantial surge in commercial activity over the last 60 days. Until January of 2014, the Company employed one part-time sales individual to execute methodically and quietly to validate evolving technologies with existing customers through pilot projects, deferring the implementation of a comprehensive sales and marketing effort until after commercial validation. Starting in January of this year, however, we have staffed a dedicated, global sales force comprised of six individuals strictly for the oil & gas market, and continuing in February, we have initiated an aggressive market launch for our new technologies, exhibiting these solutions at multiple tradeshows around the world attended by high-profile oil & gas companies. The initial response has proven overwhelming, evidenced by recent commercial activity of impressive proportion. We are equally excited by recent R&D efforts, the outcome of which has a high probability of generating a truly disruptive technology in a uniquely large addressable market. What is most impressive to observe about the Company today is an unmistakable resurgence of technological innovation, with new technologies proliferating to address large, global markets with limited to no competition. This is a very exciting time for the Company, and I believe that we are on the precipice of transformation."
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to us and on management's beliefs, assumptions, estimates, or projections and are not guarantees of future events or results. When used in this document, the words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "expect," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not exclusive means of identifying such statements. Because such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, the Company's actual results may differ materially from the predictions in these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are made as of today, and the Company assumes no obligation to update such statements. In addition to any other factors that may have been discussed herein regarding the risks and uncertainties of our business, please see "Risk Factors" in our Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 11, 2014 as well as other reports filed by the Company with the SEC from time to time.
Conference Call to Discuss First Quarter Results for 2014
The conference call scheduled for tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. PDT will be in a "listen-only" mode for all participants other than the sell-side investment professionals who regularly follow the Company. The toll-free phone number for the call is 877-941-8609 or local 480-629-9692, and the access code is 4677819. Callers should dial in approximately 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. A telephonic replay will be available at 800-406-7325 or 303-590-3030 (access code: 4677819) until May 22, 2014. Investors may also access the live call or the replay over the internet at www.streetevents.com or www.energyrecovery.com. The replay will be available approximately three hours after the live call concludes.
About Energy Recovery, Inc.
Energy Recovery, Inc. (Nasdaq:ERII) technology harvests the power of pressure from high-pressure fluid flows and pressure cycles. Through collaboration with industry, Energy Recovery helps make industrial processes within water, oil & gas, and chemical industries more profitable and environmentally sustainable. With over 15,000 energy recovery devices installed worldwide, Energy Recovery sets the standard for engineering excellence, cost savings, and technical services to clients across the globe. Year after year, the company's clean technologies save clients over $1.4 Billion in energy costs. Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Energy Recovery has offices in Madrid, Shanghai, and Dubai. For more information about the Company, please visit our website at energyrecovery.com.
| Unaudited Consolidated Financial Results | ||
| ENERGY RECOVERY, INC. | ||
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | ||
| (in thousands, except per share data) | ||
| (unaudited) | ||
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
| 2014 | 2013 | |
| Net revenue | $ 3,897 | $ 6,373 |
| Cost of revenue | 1,652 | 3,356 |
| Gross profit | 2,245 | 3,017 |
| Operating expenses: | ||
| General and administrative | 2,039 | 4,170 |
| Sales and marketing | 2,495 | 2,011 |
| Research and development | 1,234 | 1,082 |
| Amortization of intangible assets | 215 | 230 |
| Total operating expenses | 5,983 | 7,493 |
| Loss from operations | (3,738) | (4,476) |
| Other non-operating income, net of expenses | 121 | 27 |
| Loss before income taxes | (3,617) | (4,449) |
| Provision for income taxes | 66 | 61 |
| Net loss | $ (3,683) | $ (4,510) |
| Basic and diluted net loss per share | $ (0.07) | $ (0.09) |
| Shares used in basic and diluted per share calculation | 51,446 | 50,982 |
| ENERGY RECOVERY, INC. | ||
| CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||
| (unaudited) | ||
|
|
March 31, 2014 |
December 31, 2013 |
| ASSETS | ||
| Current assets: | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ 11,437 | $ 14,371 |
| Restricted cash | 5,157 | 4,311 |
| Short-term investments | 8,017 | 5,856 |
| Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $263 and $241 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively | 17,202 | 15,222 |
| Unbilled receivables | 746 | 5,442 |
| Inventories | 8,276 | 4,955 |
| Deferred tax assets, net | 698 | 698 |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 2,131 | 1,018 |
| Total current assets | 53,664 | 51,873 |
| Restricted cash, non-current | 3,210 | 4,468 |
| Unbilled receivables, non-current | 1,197 | 1,197 |
| Long-term investments | 8,810 | 13,694 |
| Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $12,850 and $12,082 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively | 13,161 | 13,903 |
| Goodwill | 12,790 | 12,790 |
| Other intangible assets, net | 3,792 | 4,008 |
| Other assets, non-current | 2 | 2 |
| Total assets | $ 96,626 | $ 101,935 |
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||
| Current liabilities: | ||
| Accounts payable | $ 1,639 | $ 1,209 |
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 5,362 | 7,963 |
| Income taxes payable | 28 | 22 |
| Accrued warranty reserve | 705 | 709 |
| Deferred revenue | 830 | 779 |
| Total current liabilities | 8,564 | 10,682 |
| Deferred tax liabilities, non-current, net | 2,186 | 2,131 |
| Deferred revenue, non-current | 94 | 130 |
| Other non-current liabilities | 1,951 | 2,077 |
| Total liabilities | 12,795 | 15,020 |
| Stockholders' equity: | ||
| Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding | — | — |
| Common stock, $0.001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 53,395,001 and 51,497.098 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2014, respectively; and 53,136,704 and 51,354,101 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013, respectively | 53 | 53 |
| Additional paid-in capital | 121,119 | 119,932 |
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (62) | (107) |
| Treasury stock, at cost, 1,897,903 and 1,782,603 shares repurchased at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively | (4,633) | (4,000) |
| Accumulated deficit | (32,646) | (28,963) |
| Total stockholders' equity | 83,831 | 86,915 |
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ 96,626 | $ 101,935 |
| ENERGY RECOVERY, INC. | ||
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | ||
| (unaudited) | ||
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
||
| 2014 | 2013 | |
| Cash Flows From Operating Activities | ||
| Net loss | $ (3,683) | $ (4,510) |
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||
| Depreciation and amortization | 983 | 911 |
| Loss on disposal of fixed assets | — | 13 |
| Amortization of premiums/discounts on investments | 125 | 89 |
| Share-based compensation | 581 | 689 |
| Loss on foreign currency transactions | 10 | 10 |
| Deferred income taxes | 56 | 56 |
| Provision for doubtful accounts | 72 | 40 |
| Provision for warranty claims | 3 | 97 |
| Valuation adjustments for excess or obsolete inventory | 40 | (20) |
| Other non-cash adjustments | (125) | (29) |
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||
| Accounts receivable | (2,052) | 1,426 |
| Unbilled receivables | 4,696 | 2,232 |
| Inventories | (3,361) | (1,480) |
| Prepaid and other assets | (1,112) | (121) |
| Accounts payable | 448 | (117) |
| Accrued expenses and other liabilities | (2,638) | (2,810) |
| Income taxes payable | 7 | 4 |
| Deferred revenue | 15 | (334) |
| Net cash used in operating activities | (5,935) | (3,854) |
| Cash Flows From Investing Activities | ||
| Capital expenditures | (38) | (384) |
| Purchase of marketable securities | — | (3,464) |
| Maturities of marketable securities | 2,600 | 4,250 |
| Restricted cash | 412 | 59 |
| Net cash provided by investing activities | 2,974 | 461 |
| Cash Flows From Financing Activities | ||
| Repayment of capital lease obligation | — | (14) |
| Net proceeds from issuance of common stock | 604 | 200 |
| Repurchase of common stock for treasury | (633) | — |
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (29) | 186 |
| Effect of exchange rate differences on cash and cash equivalents | 56 | (12) |
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | (2,934) | (3,219) |
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 14,371 | 16,642 |
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ 11,437 | $ 13,423 |
CONTACT: Alexander J. Buehler
Chief Financial Officer
(510) 483-7370
Source: Energy Recovery, Inc.
Released May 7, 2014