Velan Inc. Reports Its Year-End and Fourth Quarter 2015/16 Financial Results


MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - May 19, 2016) - Velan Inc. (TSX:VLN) (the "Company"), a world-leading manufacturer of industrial valves, announced today its financial results for its fiscal year and fourth quarter ended February 29, 2016.

Highlights

  • Sales of US$108.2 million for the quarter
  • Adjusted net earnings1 of US$4.2 million for the quarter
  • Order backlog of US$331.2 million at the end of the fiscal year
  • Net order bookings of US$86.7 million for the quarter
  • Net cash1 of US$82.0 million at the end of the fiscal year
  • Returned US$2.0 million to shareholders in the quarter and US$9.5 million in the fiscal year by way of dividends and share repurchases

(millions of U.S. dollars, Three-month periods ended Fiscal years ended
excluding per February 29, February 28, February 29, February 28,
share amounts) 2016 2015 2016 2015
Sales $ 108.2 $ 114.5 $ 426.9 $ 455.7
Gross profit 28.1 29.1 104.3 118.3
Gross profit % 26.0 % 25.4 % 24.4% 26.0 %
Adjusted net earnings1 4.2 4.7 17.3 18.6
Adjusted net earnings1per share - basic and diluted 0.20 0.22 0.79 0.85
Net earnings (loss)2 (7.8 ) 4.7 3.6 18.6
Net earnings (loss)2per share - basic and diluted (0.35 ) 0.22 0.17 0.85

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2016 (unless otherwise noted, all amounts are in U.S. dollars and all comparisons are to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015):

  • Net loss2 amounted to $7.8 million or $0.35 per share in the quarter compared to net earnings2 of $4.7 million or $0.22 per share last year. The net loss2 for the current quarter was significantly impacted by an $11.5 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge related to its wholly-owned Italian subsidiary, Velan ABV S.p.A. ("ABV"). Excluding this charge, as well as the after-tax impact of the restructuring costs incurred during the quarter, the Company's adjusted net earnings1 would have been $4.2 million or $0.20 per share this quarter compared to $4.7 million or $0.22 per share last year. The $0.5 million decrease in adjusted net earnings1 is primarily attributable to the lower sales volume in the quarter.
  • Net new orders received ("bookings") amounted to $86.7 million, a decrease of $14.4 million or 14.2% compared to last year. The continued weakness in the price of oil has had a negative impact on the Company's order intake in some of its important markets, namely in the oil and gas industry and the energy sector.

  • Sales amounted to $108.2 million, a decrease of $6.3 million or 5.5% compared to last year. Sales were negatively impacted by the decrease in bookings over the last year, particularly in the Company's Italian subsidiary. Furthermore, the stronger U.S. dollar, particularly against the euro, caused the sales from the Company's European subsidiaries to be reported as lower U.S. dollar amounts in the current quarter.

  • Gross profit percentage improved by 60 basis points from 25.4% to 26.0%. Despite the lower sales volume, the increase in the gross profit percentage was primarily attributable to the labour savings stemming from the restructuring initiatives implemented in the second half of the current fiscal year.

  • Foreign currency impacts:

    • Based on average exchange rates, the euro weakened 7.1% against the U.S. dollar when compared to the same period last year. This weakening resulted in the Company's net profits, bookings, sales, and backlog from its European subsidiaries being reported as lower U.S. dollar amounts in the current quarter.

    • Based on average exchange rates, the Canadian dollar weakened 13.5% against the U.S. dollar when compared to the same period last year. This weakening resulted in the Company's Canadian dollar expenses being reported as lower U.S. dollar amounts in the current quarter.

    • The unfavourable impact of the euro decrease was generally offset by the favourable impact of the Canadian dollar decrease on the Company's adjusted net earnings1 for the current quarter.

Year Ended Fiscal 2016 (unless otherwise noted, all amounts are in U.S. dollars and all comparisons are to the prior fiscal year)

  • Net earnings2 amounted to $3.6 million or $0.17 per share compared to $18.6 million or $0.85 per share last year. Net earnings2 for the current year were significantly impacted by an $11.5 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge related to ABV. Excluding this charge, as well as the after-tax impact of the restructuring costs incurred during the year, the Company's adjusted net earnings1 would have been $17.3 million or $0.79 per share this year compared to $18.6 million or $0.85 per share last year. The $1.3 million decrease in adjusted net earnings1 is primarily attributable to a lower gross profit percentage partially offset by decreased administration and net finance costs.

  • Bookings amounted to $329.5 million, a decrease of $141.9 million or 30.1% compared to last year. Excluding the effect of an order cancellation of $23.6 million in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, bookings would have decreased by $118.3 million or 25.1% in the year. This decrease is mainly attributable to an economic downturn in some of the Company's important markets, particularly the oil and gas industry and energy sector.

  • Sales amounted to $426.9 million, a decrease of $28.8 million or 6.3% from the prior year. Sales were negatively impacted by the decrease in bookings, a production slowdown caused by labour unrest and a lockout at the Company's Canadian facilities during the first half of the current fiscal year, and a stronger U.S. dollar, particularly against the euro.

  • As a result of sales outpacing bookings in the year, the Company ended the year with a backlog of $331.2 million, a decrease of $106.6 million or 24.3% since the beginning of the current fiscal year. In addition to lower bookings, the backlog was negatively impacted by the weakening of the euro against the U.S. dollar over the course of the year.

  • Gross profit percentage decreased by 160 basis points from 26.0% to 24.4%. This decrease is mainly attributable to an increase in material costs as a percentage of sales and unfavourable inventory movements and provisions which were partially offset by decreased labour costs resulting from the restructuring initiatives undertaken in the year.
  • Administration costs amounted to $78.0 million, a decrease of $10.4 million or 11.8%. This decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in compensation-related costs, which was mainly due to the restructuring initiatives mentioned above, and favourable currency swings resulting from a stronger U.S. dollar, particularly against the euro and Canadian dollar.

  • The Company generated net cash1 from operations of $28.9 million. This source of net cash1 is primarily attributable to positive cash net earnings2 and favourable working capital movements, particularly a decrease in inventories. As a result, the Company ended the year with net cash1 of $82.0 million, an increase of $6.4 million or 8.5% since the beginning of the current fiscal year.

  • Foreign currency impacts:

    • Based on average exchange rates, the euro weakened 14.9% against the U.S. dollar when compared to the same period last year. This weakening resulted in the Company's net profits from its European subsidiaries being reported as lower U.S. dollar amounts in the current fiscal year.

    • Based on average exchange rates, the Canadian dollar weakened 13.8% against the U.S. dollar when compared to the same period last year. This weakening resulted in the Company's Canadian dollar expenses being reported as lower U.S. dollar amounts in the current fiscal year.

    • The unfavourable impact of the euro decrease was generally offset by the favourable impact of the Canadian dollar decrease on the Company's net earnings2.

John Ball, CFO of Velan Inc., said, "Fiscal 2016 was a year of challenges as our end user markets grappled with the impact of low oil prices. It provided the impetus for Velan to push for cost savings and efficiencies, and we will continue our efforts to rationalize operations in Fiscal 2017. We ended the year with a strong and healthy balance sheet, with cash generated from operations of US$28.9 million and ending net cash1 balance of US$82.0 million. In addition, because of the challenges our Italian subsidiary has been facing this year in the upstream oil and gas market, we have written off the last of the goodwill remaining from our acquisition of that company in fiscal 2012."

Yves Leduc, President of Velan Inc., said, "We were successful in limiting the impact of the severe drop in bookings by responding quickly and decisively. Going forward, confronted with a challenging market environment, our priority is to control expenses and grow margins through operational improvements. Meanwhile, we have defined a path for growth and business improvement, and we have begun mobilizing our entire organization towards our new Velocity 2020 vision. As a goal, our strategy is to come out stronger than ever once the sector recovers."

Tom Velan, CEO of Velan Inc., said, "This was a year of turbulence and transition for our company. We are grateful for the dedication and resilience of our employees under challenging circumstances."

Dividend

The Board of Directors declared an eligible quarterly dividend of CA$0.10 per share, payable on June 30, 2016, to all shareholders of record as at June 15, 2016.

Conference call

Financial analysts, shareholders, and other interested individuals are invited to attend the fourth quarter conference call to be held on Thursday, May 19, 2016, at 4:30 p.m. (EST). The toll free call-in number is 1-888-273-1350, access code 21811460. A recording of this conference call will be available for seven days at 1-416-626-4100 or 1-800-558-5253, access code 21811460.

About Velan

Founded in Montreal in 1950, Velan Inc. (www.velan.com) is one of the world's leading manufacturers of industrial valves, with sales of US$426.9 million in its last reported fiscal year. The Company has manufacturing plants in 10 countries. Velan Inc. is a public company with its shares listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol VLN.

Safe harbour statement

This news release may include forward-looking statements, which generally contain words like "should", "believe", "anticipate", "plan", "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "continue" or "estimate" or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar expressions, all of which are subject to risks and uncertainties, which are disclosed in the Company's filings with the appropriate securities commissions. While these statements are based on management's assumptions regarding historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that it believes are reasonable and appropriate in the circumstances, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may differ materially from those expressed herein. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by the applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Non-IFRS measures

In this press release, the Company presented measures of performance and financial condition that are not defined under International Financial Reporting Standards ("non-IFRS measures") and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. These measures are used by management in assessing the operating results and financial condition of the Company. In addition, they provide readers of the Company's consolidated financial statements with enhanced understanding of its results and financial condition, and increase transparency and clarity into the operating results of its core business.

The term "adjusted net earnings" is defined as net income or loss attributable to Subordinate and Multiple Voting Shares plus goodwill impairment loss, plus restructuring costs less the income tax effect of the restructuring costs. Refer to the "Reconciliations of Non-IFRS Measures" section in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis included in its Annual Report for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2016 for a detailed calculation of this measure.

The term "net cash" is defined as cash and cash equivalents plus short-term investments less bank indebtedness, short-term bank loans, and current portion of long-term bank borrowings. Refer to the "Reconciliations of Non-IFRS Measures" section in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis included in its Annual Report for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2016 for a detailed calculation of this measure.

(1) Non-IFRS measures - see explanation above.
(2) Net earnings or loss refer to net income or loss attributable to Subordinate and Multiple Voting Shares.
Velan Inc.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
As At February 29, February 28,
2016 2015
$ $
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents 89,368 99,578
Short-term investments 3,225 847
Accounts receivable 119,569 105,335
Income taxes recoverable 5,674 5,472
Inventories 162,523 203,557
Deposits and prepaid expenses 3,586 5,326
Derivative assets 1,598 144
385,543 420,259
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 95,257 91,285
Intangible assets and goodwill 20,352 33,576
Deferred income taxes 13,537 12,392
Other assets 938 1,116
130,084 138,369
Total assets 515,627 558,628
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Bank indebtedness 5,028 15,616
Short-term bank loans 1,319 2,134
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 62,943 70,997
Income taxes payable 5,746 3,961
Dividend payable 1,606 1,755
Customer deposits 28,123 44,111
Provisions 9,333 7,874
Accrual for performance guarantees 30,563 30,012
Derivative liabilities 2,945 5,362
Current portion of long-term debt 7,978 10,644
155,584 192,466
Non-current liabilities
Long-term debt 14,471 4,183
Deferred income taxes 3,408 8,349
Other liabilities 9,045 8,537
26,924 21,069
Total liabilities 182,508 213,535
Equity
Equity attributable to the Subordinate and Multiple Voting shareholders
Share capital 74,345 76,475
Contributed surplus 5,941 6,064
Retained earnings 280,380 283,724
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (33,089 ) (27,652 )
327,577 338,611
Non-controlling interest 5,542 6,482
Total equity 333,119 345,093
Total liabilities and equity 515,627 558,628
Velan Inc.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)
(Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, excluding number of shares and per share amounts)
Three-month periods ended Fiscal years ended
February 29 February 28 February 29 February 28
2016 2015 2016 2015
$ $ $ $
Sales 108,156 114,507 426,895 455,750
Cost of sales 80,085 85,445 322,612 337,467
Gross profit 28,071 29,062 104,283 118,283
Administration costs 20,325 20,370 77,974 88,391
Goodwill impairment loss 11,510 - 11,510 -
Restructuring costs 609 - 2,759 -
Other expense (income) (519 ) 373 (348 ) 337
Operating profit (loss) (3,854 ) 8,319 12,388 29,555
Finance income 583 287 1,296 1,067
Finance costs 357 387 1,097 1,657
Finance income (costs) - net 226 (100 ) 199 (590 )
Income (Loss) before income taxes (3,628 ) 8,219 12,587 28,965
Provision for (Recovery of) income taxes 4,282 3,672 8,302 9,773
Net income (loss) for the period (7,910 ) 4,547 4,285 19,192
Net income (loss) attributable to:
Subordinate Voting Shares and Multiple Voting Shares (7,823 ) 4,718 3,641 18,580
Non-controlling interest (87 ) (171 ) 644 612
(7,910 ) 4,547 4,285 19,192
Net income (loss) per Subordinate and Multiple Voting Share
Basic (0.35 ) 0.22 0.17 0.85
Diluted (0.35 ) 0.22 0.17 0.85
Dividends declared per Subordinate and Multiple 0.08 0.09 0.31 0.36
Voting Share (CA$0.10 ) (CA$0.10 ) (CA$0.40 ) (CA$0.40 )
Total weighted average number of Subordinate and
Multiple Voting Shares
Basic 21,758,224 21,947,725 21,861,230 21,947,725
Diluted 21,759,862 21,962,474 21,868,642 21,962,617
Velan Inc.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
Three-month periods ended Fiscal years ended
February 29 February 28 February 29 February 28
2016 2015 2016 2015
$ $ $ $
Comprehensive income (loss)
Net income (loss) for the period (7,910 ) 4,547 4,285 19,192
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Foreign currency translation adjustment on foreign operations whose functional currency is other than the reporting currency (U.S. dollar)

1,606


(11,875


)


(5,992


)


(24,850


)
Foreign currency translation adjustment realized on the liquidation of a subsidiary whose functional currency isother than the reporting currency (U.S. dollar)

-


636


-


636
Comprehensive income (loss) (6,304 ) (6,692 ) (1,707 ) (5,022 )
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to:
Subordinate Voting Shares and Multiple Voting Shares (5,901 ) (6,628 ) (1,796 ) (5,483 )
Non-controlling interest (403 ) (64 ) 89 461
(6,304 ) (6,692 ) (1,707 ) (5,022 )
Velan Inc.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
(Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, excluding number of shares)
Equity attributable to the Subordinate and Multiple Voting shareholders
Accumulated
other Non-
Number of Share Contributed comprehensive Retained Total controlling Total
shares capital surplus income earnings interest equity
(loss)
Balance - February 28, 2015 21,939,168 76,475 6,064 (27,652 ) 283,724 338,611 6,482 345,093
Net income (loss) for the period - - - - 3,641 3,641 644 4,285
Other comprehensive income (loss) - - - (5,437 ) - (5,437 ) (555 ) (5,992 )
21,939,168 76,475 6,064 (33,089 ) 287,365 336,815 6,571 343,386
Effect of share-based compensation - - 104 - - 104 - 104
Shares issued under Share Option Plan 14,267 227 (227 ) - - - - -
Dividends
Multiple Voting Shares - - - - (4,801 ) (4,801 ) - (4,801 )
Subordinate Voting Shares - - - - (1,803 ) (1,803 ) - (1,803 )
Non-controlling interest - - - - - - (139 ) (139 )
Share repurchase (216,300 ) (2,357 ) - - (381 ) (2,738 ) - (2,738 )
Acquisition of non-controlling interest - - - - - - (890 ) (890 )
Balance - February 29, 2016 21,737,135 74,345 5,941 (33,089 ) 280,380 327,577 5,542 333,119
Balance - February 28, 2014 21,958,768 76,688 6,099 (3,589 ) 272,867 352,065 7,054 359,119
Net income (loss) for the period - - - - 18,580 18,580 612 19,192
Other comprehensive income (loss) - - - (24,063 ) - (24,063 ) (151 ) (24,214 )
21,958,768 76,688 6,099 (27,652 ) 291,447 346,582 7,515 354,097
Effect of share-based compensation - - 15 - - 15 - 15
Dividends
Multiple Voting Shares - - - - (5,447 ) (5,447 ) - (5,447 )
Subordinate Voting Shares - - - - (2,233 ) (2,233 ) - (2,233 )
Non-controlling interest - - - - - - (1,033 ) (1,033 )
Share repurchase (19,600 ) (213 ) (50 ) - (43 ) (306 ) - (306 )
Balance - February 28, 2015 21,939,168 76,475 6,064 (27,652 ) 283,724 338,611 6,482 345,093
Velan Inc.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow
(Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
Three-month periods ended Fiscal years ended
February 29 February 28 February 29 February 28
2016 2015 2016 2015
$ $ $ $
Cash flows from
Operating activities
Net income for the period (7,910 ) 4,547 4,285 19,192
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided byoperating activities
8,738

5,934

17,080

19,445
Changes in non-cash working capital items 15,448 14,726 7,519 11,279
Cash provided (used) by operating activities 16,276 25,207 28,884 49,916
Investing activities
Short-term investments (592 ) (529 ) (2,378 ) (608 )
Additions to property, plant and equipment (12,077 ) (2,559 ) (19,791 ) (12,822 )
Additions to intangible assets (1,149 ) - (1,329 ) (400 )
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets
122

-

272

160
Acquisition of non-controlling interest - - (890 ) -
Net change in other assets 1,625 121 177 576
Cash provided (used) by investing activities (12,071 ) (2,967 ) (23,939 ) (13,094 )
Financing activities
Dividends paid to Subordinate and Multiple Voting shareholders (1,583 ) (1,913 ) (6,753 ) (7,511 )
Dividends paid to non-controlling interest - (947 ) (139 ) (1,033 )
Repurchase of shares (367 ) (14 ) (2,738 ) (306 )
Short-term bank loans 115 351 (815 ) 1,218
Increase in long-term debt 10,365 - 17,499 -
Repayment of long-term debt (3,206 ) (1,459 ) (9,122 ) (6,326 )
Cash provided (used) by financing activities 5,324 (3,982 ) (2,068 ) (13,958 )
Effect of exchange rate differences on cash 1,127 (8,366 ) (2,499 ) (13,742 )
Net change in cash during the period 10,656 9,892 378 9,122
Net cash - Beginning of the period 73,684 74,070 83,962 74,840
Net cash - End of the period 84,340 83,962 84,340 83,962
Net cash is composed of:
Cash and cash equivalents 89,368 99,578 89,368 99,578
Bank indebtedness (5,028 ) (15,616 ) (5,028 ) (15,616 )
84,340 83,962 84,340 83,962
Supplementary information
Interest received (paid) 432 (16 ) 532 (117 )
Income taxes reimbursed (paid) (4,695 ) (3,954 ) (10,742 ) (9,357 )

Contact Information:

VELAN Inc.
Tom Velan
Chief Executive Officer
(514) 748-7743
(514) 748-8635 (FAX)

VELAN Inc.
John D. Ball
Chief Financial Officer
(514) 748-7743
(514) 748-8635 (FAX)
www.velan.com