Michael McAuley
Analyst · Stonegate Capital Markets
Thank you, Brett. My commentary today includes the use of certain non-GAAP financial measures. I refer you to our disclosures regarding non-GAAP financial measures and the related non-GAAP financial measures reconciliation schedule included in our Q1 2020 earnings release issued this morning. Q1 2020 continued and, in fact, improved upon the return to profitability for Ampco-Pittsburgh from last quarter. This was the first time dating back to 2014 that the corporation has reported positive income from continuing operations for consecutive quarters. Ampco's net sales from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2020 were $91.1 million. This compares to net sales from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2019 of $107.5 million. Net sales in the Forged and Cast Engineered Products segment of $68.8 million for the first quarter of 2020, declined approximately 19% compared to the prior year quarter, due to a lower volume of shipments of mill rolls, both forged and cast and of forged engineered products. Net sales for the Air and Liquid Processing segment for the first quarter of 2020 of $22.3 million increased slightly compared to the prior year period. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 23.0% for the first quarter of 2020 versus 16.1% for the first quarter of 2019. The improvement is primarily attributable to the Forged and Cast Engineered Products segment, which is benefiting principally from a lower cost structure due to the sale of the Avonmore facility last year, lower raw material costs and improved manufacturing and operating efficiencies. Additionally, the Forged and Cast Engineered Products segment received business interruption insurance proceeds of $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2020 from a 2018 insurance claim. These insurance proceeds were recorded as a reduction to cost of products sold in the current quarter. For the Air and Liquid Processing segment, gross profit increased slightly, benefiting primarily from changes in the product mix and cost efficiencies. Selling and administrative expenses of $11.8 million or 13% of net sales for the first quarter of 2020 were down compared to $13.9 million or 12.9% of net sales for the first quarter of 2019. We were able to deliver approximately a 15% year-over-year reduction in SG&A expense for the quarter, principally due to lower employee-related costs, in part due to completed reduction in force actions from 2019, lower professional fees as well as lower volume-related commissions expense. Depreciation and amortization expense of $4.7 million for the first quarter of 2020 was down compared to $5.3 million for the first quarter of 2019, principally due to the 2019 divestiture of the Avonmore cast roll plant. Income from continuing operations on an as-reported GAAP basis for the first quarter of 2020 was $4.4 million, including the $0.8 million benefit for the business interruption proceeds. This compares to a loss from continuing operations in the prior year quarter of $12 million, which included an impairment charge of $10.1 million, $0.9 million of restructuring-related costs and approximately $2.2 million in excess carrying costs of the Avonmore PA cast roll facility divested in 2019. Excluding the unusual items, as defined in the non-GAAP financial measures reconciliation schedule included with our earnings release, non-GAAP adjusted income from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2020 was approximately $3.6 million. This reflects an improvement of approximately $2.3 million compared to the prior year quarter on the same non-GAAP basis. The improvement is principally attributable to the implementation of manufacturing and operating efficiencies, along with the completion of selective reduction in force actions across the organization. Other income expense net worsened for the first quarter of 2020 when compared to the prior year quarter due to higher foreign exchange losses and unrealized losses on rabbi trust investments, which are principally due to market disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The income tax benefit for the first quarter of 2020 includes a benefit of approximately $3.5 million due to the expanded tax loss carryback provisions made possible by the CARES Act. We have already filed for that refund. Although we had this benefit on the tax line, the net effect of COVID-19-related items throughout our Q1 P&L was about neutral. The foreign exchange transaction loss, unrealized loss on rabbi trust investments, certain bad debt and slow-moving inventory reserves, which we increased in the quarter in the Forged and Cast Engineered Products segment and some lower sales in that segment towards the end of March were all related in whole or in part to market impacts driven primarily by COVID-19. Collectively, these items approximately offset the tax benefit from the CARES Act. At the bottom line, the corporation reported a GAAP net income attributable to Ampco-Pittsburgh of $4.1 million or $0.33 per common share for the first quarter of 2020. This compares to a net loss of $15.1 million or $1.21 per share for the first quarter of 2019, which included an impairment and restructuring-related expenses totaling $0.88 per share, plus a net loss from discontinued operations last year of $0.18 per share. Here's some detail on business segment results. In the Forged and Cast Engineered Products segment, Q1 2020 net sales of $68.8 million, declined approximately 19% versus prior year due to a lower volume of shipments of mill rolls, both forged and cast and forged engineered products. Offset slightly by a more favorable product mix. However, the segment's operating results improved significantly for the first quarter of 2020 compared to prior year, which included the impairment charge, the excess carrying cost of Avonmore. Additionally, the current year quarter benefited from the proceeds from the business interruption insurance claim, manufacturing efficiency improvements from a lower cost structure and actions taken in the prior year as well as raw material costs and lower commissions expense, partially offset by the effect of the lower sales volume and reserves established for anticipated bad debts and slow-moving inventory for certain of the segments oil and gas customers, linked in part with expectations associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Net sales of $22.3 million for the Air and Liquid Processing segment in the first quarter of 2020 were slightly higher than the comparable prior year period. Sales for the air handling and business and heat exchange businesses were higher than a year ago as a result of higher volume of shipments. Sales of pumps were slightly below the prior year period due to lower shipments to U.S. Navy shipbuilders. The segment's operating results improved for the first quarter of 2020 compared to prior year, primarily due to more favorable product mix and cost reductions. Backlog at March 31, 2020, approximated $278 million, a decrease from $321 million at December 31, 2019. The decrease is principally due to lower backlog for cast rolls and a decline in foreign exchange rates used to convert the backlog of the corporation's foreign subsidiaries into the U.S. dollar. Lower exchange rate at March 31, 2020, when compared to the earlier period, reduced backlog by about $10 million. Backlog for the Air and Liquid Processing segment improved due to strong order intake for heat exchangers and centrifical pumps. Next here are a few balance sheet and cash-related items for continuing operations. Accounts receivable of $75.2 million at March 31, 2020, decreased by $6.6 million compared to December 31, 2019, primarily attributable to lower sales in the latter part of first quarter 2020 compared to the latter part of fourth quarter 2019, improved collections and an increase in the corporation's allowance for Delaware accounts provision. Inventories of $82.4 million at March 31, 2020, were flat compared to December 31, 2019. Accounts payable of $36.2 million at March 31, 2020, increased by $2.9 million compared to March 31, 2019. Capital expenditures for the first quarter of 2020 were $1.9 million, primarily for the Forged and Cast Engineered Products segment. Cash and cash equivalents for continuing operations of $13.9 million at March 31, 2020, increase compared to the December 31, 2019, balance. Net cash flows provided by operating activities was a strong $12.2 million for Q1 2020. Drawings on the Ampco revolving credit facility were $31.5 million at March 31, 2020, which is down $2.8 million versus December 31, 2019. The decrease in revolver borrowings reflects improved operating results and lower investment in trade working capital. Total debt at March 31, 2020, was $68.2 million and is down $2.6 million from the December 31, 2019, balance, in line with the revolver decrease. At March 31, 2020, in addition to the cash balance, the corporation also has remaining availability under revolver of about $31 million, an improvement of approximately $4 million compared to availability at December 31, 2019. I will now turn the call back over to Brett for some closing remarks.