Empire Industries Reports First Quarter 2016 Results

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwired - May 30, 2016) - Empire Industries Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:EIL) today reported its unaudited consolidated financial results for the first quarter ended March 31^st, 2016. The unaudited consolidated financial statements and MD&A have been filed on SEDAR and can be viewed at www.sedar.com or at www.empind.com.

"I am pleased to report that Empire's overall strategy is progressing as planned and that the strategic initiatives we are working through will propel our Company forward in an exciting, profitable and growing manner," said Guy Nelson, CEO. "The first quarter had challenges on three fronts. Our media-based attractions group was incredibly busy, progressing on 22 active projects, adding some very interesting business development initiatives, and fitting up our Orlando facility. In contrast, our steel fabrication segment shrank its operations to match what we see as a very difficult construction environment in Alberta. Our spin-out of Tornado Hydrovac Trucks were very active preparing for the launch of a more aggressive business plan deploying $10 million of fresh capital and this division consumed corporate resources to position us for an Empire shareholder vote June 21^st."

Summary of the First Quarter 2016 results

• Revenues from continuing operations decreased by $0.8 million, or 2.8% (to $27.8 million from $28.6 million in first quarter 2016)
• Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations decreased by $0.1 million, or 7.3% (to $1.5 million from $1.6 million in first quarter 2016)
• The unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments of $5.3 million in the quarter compares to a loss of $1.9 million in the comparative period relating to outstanding forward foreign currency instruments. This gain is the result of strengthening of the Canadian dollar incurred during the period as compared to the rates negotiated in the underlying contracts.
• Net income from continuing operations was $4.1 million ($0.016 per share), vs net loss of $0.7 million ($0.003 per share) in first quarter 2015
• Backlog of $105 million at March 31, 2016.

¹ Adjusted earnings (loss) before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (Adjusted EBITDA) is not defined by IFRS. The definition of Adjusted EBITDA does not take into account the Group's share of profit of an associate investment, gains and losses on the disposal of assets, fair value changes in foreign currency forward contracts and non-cash components of stock based compensation. Adjusted EBIT is the result of the Group's Adjusted EBITDA less depreciation and amortization expenses. While not IFRS measures, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBIT are used by management, creditors, analysts, investors and other financial stakeholders to assess the Group's performance and management from a financial and operational perspective.

About Empire Industries Ltd.

Empire Industries Ltd. manufactures specialized engineered products and sells these products domestically and in select international export markets. The company has developed, designed and engineered products for the rapidly growing, global, media based attractions market. The company has a unique global expertise in designing and building telescope enclosures and related components. The company provides steel fabrication & installation services, primarily to the industrial, commercial and infrastructure market in Western Canada. The company also has two strategic equity partnerships; a 49% ownership of ACE Industrial Services that operates in the oil sands industrial maintenance services market, and a 45% ownership of a Chinese joint venture company in the steel fabrication market in Asia. Empire's common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol EIL.

For more information about the Company, visit www.empind.com.

Reader Advisory

This news release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, concerning Empire's business and affairs. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". These forward looking statements are based on current expectations, and are naturally subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances that may cause actual results to differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information is provided as of the date of this press release, and Empire assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.