Bay Street News

North American Construction Group Ltd. Announces Results for the First Quarter Ended March 31, 2024

ACHESON, Alberta, May 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — North American Construction Group Ltd. (“NACG”) (TSX:NOA/NYSE:NOA) today announced results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024. Unless otherwise indicated, financial figures are expressed in Canadian dollars, and comparisons are to the prior period ended March 31, 2023.

First Quarter 2024 Highlights:

“Our first quarter performance was in line with our EBITDA guidance, slightly exceeding 20% of our annual estimate. Our operations teams continue working diligently to optimize the utilization of and returns on our heavy equipment assets through an increased bid pipeline overall and, more specifically, some fantastic Australian opportunities with long-term commitments and blue-chip customers,” said Joe Lambert, President and CEO.

“This year’s quarterly results will vary significantly from historical averages with a ramp up from now to Q3 peak EBITDA and an expected approximate 45/55 split between first and second half of the year, but we remain confident and committed in delivering into our guidance range and setting ourselves up for improving utilization and return on our assets for many years to come.”

Consolidated Financial Highlights

    Three months ended    
    March 31,    
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)     2024       2023(iii)       Change  
Revenue   $ 297,026     $ 244,329     $ 52,697  
Cost of sales     199,795       166,844       32,951  
Depreciation     43,941       36,385       7,556  
Gross profit   $ 53,290     $ 41,100     $ 12,190  
Gross profit margin(i)     17.9 %     16.8 %     1.1 %
General and administrative expenses (excluding stock-based compensation)(i)     11,145       8,243       2,902  
Stock-based compensation expense     3,608       5,936       (2,328 )
Operating income     38,276       25,708       12,568  
Interest expense, net     15,597       7,311       8,286  
Net income     11,369       21,846       (10,477 )
             
Adjusted EBITDA(i)     93,251       84,622       8,629  
Adjusted EBITDA margin(i)(iii)     27.0 %     26.3 %     0.7 %
             
Per share information            
Basic net income per share   $ 0.43     $ 0.83     $ (0.40 )
Diluted net income per share   $ 0.39     $ 0.71     $ (0.32 )
Adjusted EPS(i)   $ 0.78     $ 0.96     $ (0.18 )

(i)See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.
(ii)Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated using adjusted EBITDA over total combined revenue.
(iii)The prior year amounts are adjusted to reflect a change in accounting policy. See “Accounting Estimates, Pronouncements and Measures”.

     
    Three months ended
    March 31,
(dollars in thousands)     2024       2023  
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows        
Cash provided by operating activities   $ 11,866     $ 31,824  
Cash used in investing activities     (56,733 )     (40,917 )
Effect of exchange rate on changes in cash     (2,368 )     55  
Add back of growth and non-cash items included in the above figures:        
Growth capital additions(i)     19,607        
Non-cash changes in fair value of contingent obligations     5,393        
Capital additions financed by leases(i)     (14,156 )     (17,020 )
Free cash flow(i)   $ (36,391 )   $ (26,058 )

(i)See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.

Declaration of Quarterly Dividend

On April 30th, 2024, the NACG Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend (the “Dividend”) of ten Canadian cents ($0.10) per common share, payable to common shareholders of record at the close of business on May 31, 2024. The Dividend will be paid on July 5, 2024, and is an eligible dividend for Canadian income tax purposes.

2024 Sustainability Report

On May 1, 2024, we have released our 2024 Sustainability Report. This annual report provides our structured framework for environmental, social, and governance initiatives moving forward. This report allows stakeholders to measure progress in a variety of business areas with increasing rigor and metrics. The 2024 Sustainability Report is available for download on the company’s website at www.nacg.ca/about-us/sustainability.

Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024

Revenue of $297.0 million represented a $52.7 million (or 22%) increase from Q1 2023 as a result of the acquisition of the MacKellar Group (“MacKellar”). Following the October 1, 2023 acquisition, MacKellar completed its second full quarter of revenue since the change in control and posted another strong quarter with top-line results in the first quarter of 2024 similar to that of the fourth quarter of 2023. Significant rainfall carried into January and early February and impacted MacKellar’s top-line but, in general and like Q4 2023, the revenue achieved was consistent with acquisition expectations. The most significant mine sites for the MacKellar fleet remain the Carmichael and Middlemount mines, located in the Queensland region, which both provided strong contributions in the quarter.

Equipment utilization in the oil sands region, within the Heavy Equipment – Canada segment, of 53% drove a 30% quarter-over-quarter reduction in equipment related revenue from that region’s heavy equipment fleet. Fleet remobilization and repositioning, primarily from the Fort Hills mine to the Millennium mine, in February and early March reduced productive operating hours and associated revenues. Offsetting these decreases, revenues generated in the quarter by DGI Trading Pty Ltd. (“DGI”), within the Heavy Equipment – Australia Segment, were higher than Q1 2023 reflecting strong international demand for used components and major parts required by heavy equipment fleets.

Combined revenue of $345.7 million represented a $23.4 million (or 7%) increase from Q1 2023. Our share of revenue generated in the quarter by joint ventures and affiliates was $48.7 million, compared to $78.0 million in Q1 2023 (a decrease of 38%) as the completion of the gold mine project in Northern Ontario was only partially offset by increases within the Fargo joint venture. The Fargo project progressed on schedule during the quarter with modest top-line revenue reflecting the expected impact of winter conditions on civil earth-moving scopes.

Adjusted EBITDA of $93.3 million was an increase of $8.6 million, or 10%, from the Q1 2023 result of $84.6 million, slightly better than the aforementioned combined revenue increase of 7% due to quarter-over-quarter margin improvements. Adjusted EBITDA margin of 27% was higher than Q1 2023 primarily due to margins posted by the MacKellar fleets which again exceeded 30% in the quarter. Continued rainfall in Queensland, Australia into January and February impacted margins in those months due to reduced operating hours but steady, effective operations in March provided for a strong overall quarter.

Margins in the Heavy Equipment – Canada segment were notably impacted by fixed and indirect costs incurred during remobilization efforts but benefited from a strong March as equipment was commissioned and usage stabilized. For the installed and mobilized heavy equipment fleet, favourable operating and haul road conditions, typical for the winter season, allowed for effective operation at the Millennium, Kearl and Fort Hills mines under primarily time and material and rental based contract structures.

Restructuring efforts within the Nuna Group of Companies were fully completed during the quarter. Newly installed leadership has brought an operational focus and redirected resources as required. The projects in Northern BC and the Northwest Territories were finalized and debrief sessions held with operational personnel to ensure lessons learned. Adjusted EBITDA margin of less than 10% illustrates project execution challenges with one-time charges removed to reflect operational performance in the quarter. Restructuring expenses incurred in the quarter relate primarily to severance costs and one-time expenses required to complete legacy projects.

Depreciation of our equipment fleet was 14.8% of revenue in the quarter, compared to 14.9% in Q1 2023. The Heavy Equipment – Canada fleet averaged approximately 19.5% of revenue due to remobilization efforts. This is offset by depreciation on the Heavy Equipment – Australia fleet, which averaged approximately 9.8% of revenue, largely driven by MacKellar depreciation of 10.5% of revenue in the quarter reflecting both productive operations in the quarter as well as the depreciation of fair market values allocated upon purchase. On a combined basis, depreciation averaged 13.9% of combined revenue in the quarter as the lower capital intensity in Fargo and Nuna joint ventures modestly reduced the ratio based on the MacKellar fleet’s increasing prominence.

General and administrative expenses (excluding stock-based compensation) were $11.1 million, or 3.8% of revenue compared to $8.2 million, or 3.4% of revenue in Q1 2023. The acquisition of MacKellar did not impact the run rate expectation of administrative expenses being less than 4% of revenue.

Cash related interest expense incurred on our debt for the quarter was $13.5 million at an average cost of debt of 9.1%, compared to 6.7% in Q1 2023, as rate increases posted by the Bank of Canada directly impact our Credit Facility and have a delayed impact on the rates for secured equipment-backed financing.

Adjusted earnings per share (“EPS”) of $0.78 and adjusted net earnings of $20.9 million were down 19% and 17% from the prior year figures of $0.96 and $25.3 million, respectively. The $4.4 million decrease in adjusted net earnings is due to the higher EBITDA and lower incomes taxes being more than offset by the higher interest and depreciation expenses associated with the debt assumed and fleet acquired upon acquisition of MacKellar.

Weighted-average common shares outstanding for the first quarters of 2024 and 2023 are comparable at 26,733,473 and 26,415,004, respectively, and were not a factor in the earnings per share variance.

Free cash flow was a use of cash of $36.4 million in the quarter primarily due to the consumption of $62.0 million by our working capital accounts. This working capital draw on cash is higher than Q1 2023 primarily due to the increased size of our business. Adjusted EBITDA generated $93.3 million and when factoring in sustaining capital additions ($59.9 million) and cash interest paid ($12.4 million), positive cash of $21.0 million was generated by the overall business in the quarter.

Business Updates

2024 Strategic Focus Areas

Liquidity

Our current liquidity positions us well moving forward to fund organic growth and the required correlated working capital investments. Including equipment financing availability and factoring in the amended Credit Facility agreement, total available capital liquidity of $236.3 million includes total liquidity of $158.1 million and $62.1 million of unused finance lease borrowing availability as at March 31, 2024. Liquidity is primarily provided by the terms of our $474.3 million credit facility which allows for funds availability based on a trailing twelve-month EBITDA as defined in the agreement, and is now scheduled to expire in October, 2025.

      March 31,
2024
      December 31,
2023
 
Cash   $ 80,095     $ 88,614  
Credit Facility borrowing limit     474,260       478,022  
Credit Facility drawn     (364,260 )     (317,488 )
Letters of credit outstanding     (32,045 )     (31,272 )
Cash liquidity(i)   $ 158,050     $ 217,876  
Finance lease borrowing limit     350,000       350,000  
Other debt borrowing limit     20,000       20,000  
Equipment financing drawn     (220,187 )     (220,466 )
Guarantees provided to joint ventures     (71,600 )     (74,831 )
Total capital liquidity(i)   $ 236,263     $ 292,579  

(i)See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.

NACG’s outlook for 2024

The following table provides projected key measures for 2024. These measures are predicated on contracts currently in place, including expected renewals, and the heavy equipment fleet that we own and operate.

Key measures   2024
Combined revenue(i)   $1.5 – $1.7B
Adjusted EBITDA(i)   $430 – $470M
Sustaining capital(i)   $170 – $190M
Adjusted EPS(i)   $4.25 – $4.75
Free cash flow(i)   $160 – $185M
     
Capital allocation    
Growth spending(i)   $55 – $70M
Net debt leverage(i)   Targeting 1.5x

(i)See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.

Conference Call and Webcast

Management will hold a conference call and webcast to discuss our financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, tomorrow, Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 7:00 am Mountain Time (9:00 am Eastern Time).

The call can be accessed by dialing:

Toll free: 1-800-717-1738
Conference ID: 92465

A replay will be available through June 3, 2024, by dialing:

Toll Free: 1-888-660-6264
Conference ID: 92465
Playback Passcode: 92465

The Q1 2024 earnings presentation for the webcast will be available for download on the company’s website at https://nacg.ca/presentations/

The live presentation and webcast can be accessed at:
North American Construction Group Ltd. First Quarter Results Conference Call Registration (onlinexperiences.com)
A replay will be available until June 3, 2024, using the link provided.

Basis of Presentation

We have prepared our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”). Unless otherwise specified, all dollar amounts discussed are in Canadian dollars. Please see the Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, for further detail on the matters discussed in this release. In addition to the MD&A, please reference the dedicated Q1 2024 Results Presentation for more information on our results and projections which can be found on our website under Investors – Presentations.

Change in significant accounting policy – Basis of presentation

During the first quarter of 2024, we changed our accounting policy for the elimination of our proportionate share of profit from downstream sales to affiliates and joint ventures to record through equity earnings in affiliates and joint ventures on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. Prior to this change, we eliminated our proportionate share of profit on downstream sales to affiliates and joint ventures through revenue and cost of sales. The change in accounting policy simplifies the presentation for downstream profit eliminations and has no cumulative impact on retained earnings. We have accounted for the change retrospectively in accordance with the requirements of US GAAP Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 250 by restating the comparative period. For details of retrospective changes, refer to note 16 in the Financial Statements.

Forward-Looking Information

The information provided in this release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “should” or similar expressions.

The material factors or assumptions used to develop the above forward-looking statements include, and the risks and uncertainties to which such forward-looking statements are subject, are highlighted in the MD&A for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements because of any number of factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond NACG’s control. Undue reliance should not be placed upon forward-looking statements and NACG undertakes no obligation, other than those required by applicable law, to update or revise those statements. For more complete information about NACG, please read our disclosure documents filed with the SEC and the CSA. These free documents can be obtained by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov or on the CSA website at www.sedarplus.com

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release presents certain non-GAAP financial measures because management believes that they may be useful to investors in analyzing our business performance, leverage and liquidity. The non-GAAP financial measures we present include “adjusted EBIT”, “adjusted EBITDA”, “adjusted EBITDA margin”, “adjusted EPS”, “adjusted net earnings”, “capital additions”, “capital work in progress”, “cash provided by operating activities prior to change in working capital”, “combined gross profit”, “combined gross profit margin”, “equity investment EBIT”, “free cash flow”, “general and administrative expenses (excluding stock-based compensation)”, “gross profit margin”, “growth capital”, “margin”, “net debt”, “sustaining capital”, “total capital liquidity”, “total combined revenue”, and “total debt”. A non-GAAP financial measure is defined by relevant regulatory authorities as a numerical measure of an issuer’s historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flow that is not specified, defined or determined under the issuer’s GAAP and that is not presented in an issuer’s financial statements. These non-GAAP measures do not have any standardized meaning and therefore are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. They should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Each non-GAAP financial measure used in this press release is defined and reconciled to its most directly comparable GAAP measure in the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of our Management’s Discussion and Analysis filed concurrently with this press release.

Reconciliation of total reported revenue to total combined revenue

    Three months ended
    March 31,
(dollars in thousands)     2024       2023(ii)  
Revenue from wholly-owned entities per financial statements   $ 297,026     $ 244,329  
Share of revenue from investments in affiliates and joint ventures     125,838       189,485  
Elimination of joint venture subcontract revenue     (77,151 )     (111,473 )
Total combined revenue(i)   $ 345,713     $ 322,341  

(i)See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.
(ii)The prior year amounts are adjusted to reflect a change in accounting policy. See “Accounting Estimates, Pronouncements and Measures”.

Reconciliation of reported gross profit to combined gross profit

    Three months ended
    March 31,
(dollars in thousands)     2024       2023(ii)  
Gross profit from wholly-owned entities per financial statements   $ 53,290     $ 41,100  
Share of gross profit from investments in affiliates and joint ventures     8,935       14,819  
Combined gross profit(i)   $ 62,225     $ 55,919  

(i)See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.
(ii)The prior year amounts are adjusted to reflect a change in accounting policy. See “Accounting Estimates, Pronouncements and Measures”.

Reconciliation of net income to adjusted net earnings, adjusted EBIT and adjusted EBITDA

    Three months ended
    March 31,
(dollars in thousands)     2024       2023  
Net income   $ 11,369     $ 21,846  
Adjustments:        
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment     261       1,213  
Stock-based compensation expense     3,608       5,936  
Change in fair value of contingent obligations     1,438        
Restructuring costs     4,517        
Gain on derivative financial instruments           (2,509 )
Net unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments
included in equity earnings in affiliates and joint ventures
    1,954       434  
Tax effect of the above items     (2,260 )     (1,644 )
Adjusted net earnings(i)     20,887       25,276  
Adjustments:        
Tax effect of the above items     2,260       1,644  
Amortization of fair value of contingent obligations     3,955        
Interest expense, net     15,597       7,311  
Income tax expense     4,405       8,402  
Equity loss (earnings) in affiliates and joint ventures(i)(iii)     1,512       (9,342 )
Equity investment EBIT(i)(iii)     (3,768 )     9,783  
Adjusted EBIT(i)     44,848       43,074  
Adjustments:        
Depreciation and amortization     44,241       36,691  
Equity investment depreciation and amortization     4,162       4,857  
Adjusted EBITDA(i)   $ 93,251     $ 84,622  
Adjusted EBITDA margin(ii)     27.0 %     26.3 %

(i)See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.
(ii)Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated using adjusted EBITDA over total combined revenue.
(iii)The prior year amounts are adjusted to reflect a change in accounting policy. See “Accounting Estimates, Pronouncements and Measures”.

Reconciliation of equity earnings in affiliates and joint ventures to equity investment EBIT

    Three months ended
    March 31,
(dollars in thousands)     2024       2023(ii)  
Equity (loss) earnings in affiliates and joint ventures   $ (1,512 )   $ 9,342  
Adjustments:        
Interest (income) expense, net     (573 )     357  
Income tax (benefit) expense     (1,508 )     124  
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment     (175 )     (40 )
Equity investment EBIT(i)   $ (3,768 )   $ 9,783  

(i)See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.
(ii)The prior year amounts are adjusted to reflect a change in accounting policy. See “Accounting Estimates, Pronouncements and Measures”.

About the Company

North American Construction Group Ltd. is a premier provider of heavy civil construction and mining services in Canada, the U.S. and Australia. For 70 years, NACG has provided services to the mining, resource and infrastructure construction markets.

For further information contact:

Jason Veenstra, CPA, CA
Chief Financial Officer
North American Construction Group Ltd.
(780) 960-7171
IR@nacg.ca
www.nacg.ca

Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars)
(Unaudited)

      March 31,
2024
      December 31,
2023
 
Assets        
Current assets        
Cash   $ 80,095     $ 88,614  
Accounts receivable     138,451       97,855  
Contract assets     15,874       35,027  
Inventories     68,876       64,962  
Prepaid expenses and deposits     7,946       7,402  
Assets held for sale     1,257       1,340  
      312,499       295,200  
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $442,247 (December 31, 2023 – $423,345)     1,165,183       1,142,946  
Operating lease right-of-use assets     14,402       12,782  
Intangible assets     7,614       6,971  
Investments in affiliates and joint ventures     74,498       81,435  
Other assets     6,015       7,144  
Total assets   $ 1,580,211     $ 1,546,478  
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity        
Current liabilities        
Accounts payable   $ 124,017     $ 146,190  
Accrued liabilities     61,502       72,225  
Contract liabilities     1,366       59  
Current portion of long-term debt     84,178       81,306  
Current portion of contingent obligations     27,258       22,501  
Current portion of operating lease liabilities     1,891       1,742  
      300,212       324,023  
Long-term debt     654,953       611,313  
Long-term portion of contingent obligations     91,834       93,356  
Operating lease liabilities     12,868       11,307  
Other long-term obligations     45,738       41,001  
Deferred tax liabilities     108,661       108,824  
      1,214,266       1,189,824  
Shareholders’ equity        
Common shares (authorized – unlimited number of voting common shares; issued and outstanding – March 31, 2024 – 27,827,282 (December 31, 2023 – 27,827,282))     229,455       229,455  
Treasury shares (March 31, 2024 – 1,094,163 (December 31, 2023 – 1,090,187))     (16,277 )     (16,165 )
Additional paid-in capital     22,140       20,739  
Retained earnings     131,727       123,032  
Accumulated other comprehensive income     (1,100 )     (407 )
Shareholders’ equity     365,945       356,654  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 1,580,211     $ 1,546,478  

Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited) 

    Three months ended
    March 31,
      2024       2023(i)  
Revenue   $ 297,026     $ 244,329  
Cost of sales     199,795       166,844  
Depreciation     43,941       36,385  
Gross profit     53,290       41,100  
General and administrative expenses     14,753       14,179  
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment     261       1,213  
Operating income     38,276       25,708  
Equity loss (earnings) in affiliates and joint ventures     1,512       (9,342 )
Interest expense, net     15,597       7,311  
Change in fair value of contingent obligations     5,393        
Gain on derivative financial instruments           (2,509 )
Income before income taxes     15,774       30,248  
Current income tax expense     4,234       1,136  
Deferred income tax expense     171       7,266  
Net income   $ 11,369     $ 21,846  
Other comprehensive income        
Unrealized foreign currency translation loss (gain)     693       (55 )
Comprehensive income   $ 10,676     $ 21,901  
Per share information        
Basic net income per share   $ 0.43     $ 0.83  
Diluted net income per share   $ 0.39     $ 0.71  

(i)The prior year amounts are adjusted to reflect a change in accounting policy. See “Accounting Estimates, Pronouncements and Measures”.


Bay Street News