ARE Aecon Group Inc

- Positive overall outlook for 2022 supported by strong level of backlog and new awards -

TORONTO, March 1, 2022 /CNW/ - Aecon Group Inc. (TSX: ARE) today reported results for the fourth quarter and year-end 2021 including full year revenue of $4.0 billion and backlog of $6.2 billion as at December 31, 2021. Aecon's Board of Directors approved an increase to the quarterly dividend to 18.5 cents per share from 17.5 cents per share previously, with this being the tenth annual increase in the last eleven years.

"Aecon's 2021 results show steady revenue growth and a strong, diversified backlog at year-end," said Jean-Louis Servranckx, President & Chief Executive Officer, Aecon Group Inc. "The infrastructure market in Canada continues to be strong and we are well positioned to capitalize on this momentum. The overall outlook for 2022 is positive, supported by the strong level of backlog and new awards during 2021 and into early 2022, and the strong demand environment for Aecon's services, including recurring revenue programs, as we safely and sustainably continue our drive to be the number one Canadian infrastructure company."

HIGHLIGHTS 

• Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021 of $3,977 million was $334 million, or 9 per cent, higher compared to 2020.
• Adjusted EBITDA of $238.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 (margin of 6.0 per cent) compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $264.5 million (margin of 7.3 per cent) in 2020 and operating profit of $118.8 million compared to operating profit of $149.9 million in 2020.
• After adjusting for the impact of amounts related to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy ("CEWS") reported for 2020 and 2021, Adjusted EBITDA of $207.0 million and Operating Profit of $86.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, increased by $22.2 million and $16.7 million, respectively, compared to 2020.
• Net income of $49.7 million (diluted earnings per share of $0.78) for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to net income of $88.0 million (diluted earnings per share of $1.29) in 2020, both amounts before adjusting for the impact of CEWS.
• Reported backlog as at December 31, 2021 of $6,198 million compares to backlog of $6,454 million as at December 31, 2020. New contract awards of $3,721 million were booked in 2021 compared to $3,308 million in 2020.
• On November 17, 2021, Aecon acquired Pacific Electrical Installations ("PEI"), the largest independent full-service powerline contractor in British Columbia. PEI provides maintenance, construction and emergency restoration services for critical electrical infrastructure and is the designated powerline service provider for BC Hydro for the Lower Mainland South and Okanagan regions, and also works with a variety of private sector customers.
• In addition to the strong level of awards in 2021 and $6.2 billion backlog, subsequent to year-end:
• • Aecon was awarded a US$126 million contract by the Washington State Department of Transportation to design and build the Interstate-90 / State Road-18 to Deep Creek Interchange Improvements and Widening project near Snoqualmie, Washington. The value of the contract will be added to Aecon's Construction segment backlog in the first quarter of 2022.
  • Traylor-Aecon General Partnership, a consortium in which Aecon holds a 40 per cent interest, was awarded a $288 million contract by Metro Vancouver (Greater Vancouver Water District) for the Annacis Water Supply Tunnel, Fraser River Crossing project in British Columbia. Aecon's share of the contract will be added to its Construction segment backlog in the first quarter of 2022.
  • Connect Cité, a general partnership in which Aecon holds a 50 per cent interest, was selected by ADM Aéroports de Montréal as the preferred proponent for the Montreal-Trudeau International Airport Réseau express métropolitain ("REM") Station project in Québec. Finalization of the contract and financial close are expected in the first half of 2022, when the project is also expected to be added to Aecon's backlog.
  • ONxpress Transportation Partners, a consortium in which Aecon holds a 50 per cent interest in a civil joint venture, which is undertaking construction, and a 28 per cent interest in a 25-year operations and maintenance partnership, was identified by Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario as the First Negotiations Proponent for the GO Rail Expansion - On-Corridor Works project in the Greater Toronto Area. Commercial close is expected in the coming months, with early works and a two-year collaborative development phase expected to commence in the second quarter of 2022, and operations and maintenance anticipated to commence in the second quarter of 2024.
    

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS⁽¹⁾

Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021 of $3,977 million was $334 million, or 9%, higher compared to 2020. Revenue was higher in the Construction segment ($301 million) driven by higher revenue in nuclear ($258 million) and utilities operations ($154 million). These increases were partially offset by lower revenue in civil operations and urban transportation solutions ($84 million) and industrial operations ($27 million). In the Concessions segment, revenue was $29 million lower primarily due to decreased construction activity related to the Bermuda International Airport Redevelopment Project, partially offset by the gradual improvement of commercial flight operations at the Bermuda International Airport. Furthermore, inter-segment revenue eliminations decreased by $62 million, primarily due to lower revenue between the Concessions and Construction segments related to the Bermuda International Airport Redevelopment Project.

Operating profit of $118.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 decreased by $31.1 million compared to operating profit of $149.9 million in 2020. Operating profit in 2020 and 2021 included net positive impacts from amounts related to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy ("CEWS") program of $79.7 million and $31.9 million respectively, recorded in the Construction segment as cost recovery within gross profit ($89.4 million and $38.7 million respectively) and as an increase in marketing, general and administrative expense ("MG&A") ($9.7 million and $6.8 million respectively). Contributing to the change in operating profit was a decrease in gross profit of $34.5 million. After adjusting for the net impact of CEWS amounts reported in 2020 and 2021, gross profit increased year-over-year by $16.2 million. In the Construction segment, gross profit decreased by $3.1 million, primarily from lower volume and gross profit margin in civil operations, urban transportation solutions, and industrial operations. These decreases were largely offset by higher volume and gross profit margin in nuclear and utilities operations. In the Concessions segment, gross profit in 2021 increased by $19.1 million primarily from an improvement in results from airport operations at the Bermuda International Airport.

MG&A decreased in 2021 by $0.1 million compared to 2020 primarily due to lower project pursuit and bid costs offset by higher personnel costs. MG&A as a percentage of revenue decreased from 5.0% in 2020 to 4.6% in 2021.

Reported backlog as at December 31, 2021 of $6,198 million compares to backlog of $6,454 million as at December 31, 2020. New contract awards of $3,721 million were booked in 2021 compared to $3,308 million in 2020.

REPORTING SEGMENTS

Aecon reports its financial performance on the basis of two segments: Construction and Concessions. 

CONSTRUCTION SEGMENT

Financial Highlights

For the year ended December 31, 2021, revenue in the Construction segment of $3,915 million was $301 million, or 8%, higher than in 2020. Construction segment revenue was higher in nuclear operations ($258 million), driven primarily by increased volume of refurbishment work at the Darlington and Kincardine nuclear generating stations, both located in Ontario, and in utilities operations ($154 million), due to increased volume of oil and gas distribution and telecommunications work partially offset by lower high-voltage electrical transmission work. Partially offsetting these increases was lower revenue in industrial operations ($27 million) driven by decreased activity on mainline pipeline work in western Canada partially offset by higher volume of field construction work at gas, mining, and chemical facilities, and in civil operations and urban transportation solutions ($84 million) driven by lower roadbuilding construction and foundations work partially offset by an increase in revenue from major projects.

Operating profit in the Construction segment of $143.4 million in 2021 decreased by $49.8 million compared to 2020. Construction segment operating profit in 2020 and 2021 included an operating profit impact related to the CEWS program of $79.7 million and $31.9 million respectively. After adjusting for the net impact of CEWS amounts reported in 2020 and 2021, year-over-year operating profit decreased by $2.0 million. Lower operating profit was primarily driven by lower volume and gross profit margin in civil operations, urban transportation solutions, and industrial operations. These decreases were largely offset by higher volume and gross profit margin in nuclear and utilities operations.

Construction backlog as at December 31, 2021 was $6,116 million, which was $266 million lower than the same time last year. Backlog decreased year-over-year in civil operations and urban transportation solutions ($338 million) and utilities operations ($87 million), but increased in nuclear ($155 million) and industrial operations ($4 million). New contract awards in 2021 totaled $3,649 million compared to $3,261 million in 2020. In 2021, a number of Aecon consortiums were awarded multi-year projects including the replacement of steam generators at Units 3 and 4 of the nuclear generating station in Kincardine, Ontario, construction of the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension Advance Tunnel project in Toronto, Ontario, the North End Sewage Treatment Plant Upgrade: Headworks Facilities Project in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and a contract to execute the Unit 3 Fuel Channel and Feeder Replacement (FCFR) at the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station in Kincardine, Ontario.

CONCESSIONS SEGMENT

Financial Highlights

Aecon holds a 100% interest in Bermuda Skyport Corporation Limited ("Skyport"), the concessionaire responsible for the Bermuda airport's operations, maintenance and commercial functions, and the entity that will manage and coordinate the overall delivery of the Bermuda International Airport Redevelopment Project over a 30-year concession term that commenced in 2017. On December 9, 2020, Skyport opened the new passenger terminal building at the L.F. Wade International Airport. Aecon's participation in Skyport is consolidated and, as such, is accounted for in the consolidated financial statements by reflecting, line by line, the assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses of Skyport. However, Aecon's concession participation in the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit ("LRT"), Finch West LRT, Gordie Howe International Bridge, and Waterloo LRT projects are joint ventures that are accounted for using the equity method.

For the year ended December 31, 2021, revenue in the Concessions segment of $69 million was $29 million lower than in 2020. This lower year-over-year revenue was primarily due to decreased construction activity ($60 million) related to the Bermuda International Airport Redevelopment Project which was substantially completed in the fourth quarter of 2020. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in airport operations ($28 million). Commercial flight operations in Bermuda continue to operate at a reduced volume due to COVID-19 compared to pre-pandemic levels but have partially recovered from the more severe impacts experienced in 2020. Included in Concessions' revenue for 2021 was $3.4 million of construction revenue that was eliminated on consolidation as inter-segment revenue (compared to $65 million in 2020).

Operating profit in the Concessions segment of $14.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased by $16.7 million compared to an operating loss of $2.7 million in 2020. The higher operating profit occurred primarily due to the Bermuda International Airport as a result of the above noted changes in airport construction and operations.

Except for Operations and Maintenance ("O&M") activities under contract for the next five years and that can be readily quantified, Aecon does not include in its reported backlog expected revenue from concession agreements. As such, while Aecon expects future revenue from its concession assets, no concession backlog, other than from such O&M activities for the next five years, is reported.

FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

As at December 31, 2021, Aecon had a committed revolving credit facility of $600 million, of which $23 million was drawn and $3 million utilized for letters of credit. On June 30, 2021, Aecon completed a two-year extension of its revolving credit facility which now matures on June 30, 2025. As part of the extension, the Company incorporated a sustainability-linked facility which is tied to the Company's core environmental, social and governance (ESG) objectives. In the first quarter of 2021, the performance security guarantee facility provided by Export Development Canada to support letters of credit was increased from $700 million to $900 million. On June 30, 2021, this facility was extended to June 30, 2023. This facility, when combined with Aecon's committed revolving credit facility, provides Aecon with committed credit facilities for working capital and letter of credit requirements totaling $1,500 million. The Company has no debt or working capital credit facility maturities until the second half of 2023, except equipment and property loans and leases in the normal course. As at December 31, 2021, Aecon was in compliance with all debt covenants related to its credit facility. Aecon's financial position, liquidity and capital resources are subject to the risks and uncertainties described in Section 10.2 "Contingencies" of Management's Discussion and Analysis of Operating Results and Financial Condition dated December 31, 2021 regarding certain pending legal proceedings to which Aecon is a party.

CONTINGENCIES

Coastal GasLink Pipeline, Sections 3 and 4

The project has been delayed and impacted by various events for which SA Energy Group ("SAEG"), a partnership in which the Company holds a 50% interest, asserts Coastal GasLink ("CGL") is contractually responsible, including, but not limited to, significant scope changes and delays by the client, unforeseen site conditions, recoverable weather impacts and a suspension implemented by the client as a result of regulatory restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. SAEG asserts that it is entitled to additional compensation for costs associated with those delays and impacts and has commenced an arbitration pursuant to the terms of the contract to resolve the matter. While this commercial dispute could result in a material impact to Aecon's earnings, cash flow, and financial position if not resolved favourably, the ultimate results cannot be predicted at this time.

During the second quarter of 2021, CGL issued a Change Directive instructing SAEG to proceed with completing the remaining work on the project without an agreement as to the price for that work. During the fourth quarter, SAEG and CGL reached a number of informal agreements, that were formalized in the first quarter of 2022, that Aecon believes, based on current assumptions, will enable it to complete the project without a material impact to its cash flow. Following completion of the project, the arbitration process between SAEG and CGL, as noted above, will determine the final price for the work performed.

DIVIDEND

Aecon's Board of Directors approved an increase to the quarterly dividend to 18.5 cents per share from 17.5 cents per share previously. The first increased dividend will be paid on April 4, 2022 to shareholders of record on March 25, 2022.

OUTLOOK

Aecon's overall outlook for 2022 is positive with strong backlog of $6.2 billion at the end of 2021, growing recurring revenue programs, primarily in the utilities sector, and a very strong demand environment for constructions services across North America. New awards of $3.7 billion in 2021 exceeded 2020 by $0.4 billion, and early 2022 has already seen a number of significant new projects awarded to Aecon demonstrating strong demand for Aecon's services across Canada in smaller, medium sized, and larger multi-year projects in the nuclear, civil, urban transportation, and industrial sectors. Recurring revenue is expected to continue to grow driven by demand in the utilities sector, and the Concessions segment is expected to see airport traffic in Bermuda continue its recovery during 2022 from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company expects that demand for its services will remain healthy for the foreseeable future as the federal government and provincial governments across Canada have identified investment in infrastructure as a key source of stimulus as part of the economic recovery plan. Aecon is pre-qualified on a number of large project bids due to be awarded during 2022 and has a robust pipeline of opportunities to further add to backlog over time.

While the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to continue to have some impact in moderating overall revenue and profitability growth expectations, including its impact on air traffic related to the Bermuda International Airport, the Company is encouraged by the generally positive trend in the lifting of social and economic restrictions in Canada, in conjunction with Canada's high rates of vaccination. Although the operating environment continues to be impacted to some extent, including during the most recent wave of the highly contagious variant, omicron, overall the impact to Aecon is expected to continue to lessen going forward. Until normal operations fully resume, however, there is no guarantee that all related costs will be recovered and therefore it is possible that future project margins could be impacted.

In the Construction segment, Aecon continues to be well positioned to successfully bid on, secure and deliver major infrastructure projects for government and the private sector as demonstrated by recent awards. Bidding activity continues to be solid with a number of the Company's larger pursuits expected to be awarded in 2022. With strong and diverse backlog in hand, Aecon is focused on ensuring solid execution on its projects and selectively adding to backlog through a disciplined bidding approach that supports continued margin improvement in this segment.

In the Concessions segment, in addition to expecting a gradual recovery in travel through the Bermuda International Airport during 2022, there are a number of opportunities to add to the existing portfolio of Canadian and international concessions in the next 12 to 24 months, including in the US, where Aecon is pre-qualified to bid on the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge P3 Project in Louisiana, and in innovative projects with private sector clients that support a collective focus on sustainability and the transition to a net-zero economy.

As noted above, the overall outlook for 2022 is positive as construction continues on a number of projects that ramped up in 2020 and 2021, the strong level of backlog and new awards during 2021, and the strong demand environment for Aecon's services, including recurring revenue programs, all subject to the unknown impacts of COVID-19 going forward.

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS

The consolidated results for the three months and years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 are available at the end of this news release.

BALANCE SHEET

CONFERENCE CALL

A conference call and live webcast has been scheduled for 10 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Participants should dial 1-833-950-0062 or 1-226-828-7575 at least 10 minutes prior to the conference time. The conference ID is 254589. An accompanying presentation of the fourth quarter and year-end 2021 financial results will be available after market close on March 1, 2022 at www.aecon.com/investing. 

A live webcast of the conference call will also be available at www.aecon.com/InvestorCalendar.

Participants should join the webcast at least 15 minutes prior to the conference time to register and install any necessary software. For those unable to attend the call, a replay will be available after 2 p.m. on March 2, 2022 at 1-866-813-9403 or 1-929-458-6194, or online until midnight on March 16, 2022. The access code is 034771. A replay of the webcast will also be available within 24 hours following the call.

AECON 2022 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 

Aecon's Annual General Meeting will be held virtually on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. Additional details will be set out in the Notice of Meeting and Record Date to be filed on SEDAR.

ABOUT AECON

As a Canadian leader in construction and infrastructure development with global expertise, Aecon Group Inc. (TSX: ARE) strives to be the number one Canadian infrastructure company and is proud to be recognized as one of the Best Employers in Canada. Aecon safely, profitably and sustainably delivers integrated solutions to private and public-sector clients through its Construction segment in the Civil, Urban Transportation, Nuclear, Utility and Industrial sectors, and provides project development, financing, investment and management services through its Concessions segment. Join our online community on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram @AeconGroup.

NON-GAAP AND SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL MEASURES

This press release presents certain non-GAAP and supplementary financial measures, as well as non-GAAP ratios to assist readers in understanding the Company's performance (GAAP refers to Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles). These measures do not have any standardized meaning and therefore are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Management uses these non-GAAP and supplementary financial measures, as well as certain non-GAAP ratios to analyze and evaluate operating performance. Aecon also believes the financial measures defined below are commonly used by the investment community for valuation purposes, and are useful complementary measures of profitability, and provide metrics useful in the construction industry. The most directly comparable measures calculated in accordance with GAAP are profit (loss) attributable to shareholders or earnings (loss) per share.

Throughout this press release, the following terms are used, which are not found in the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada Handbook and do not have a standardized meaning under GAAP.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

A non-GAAP financial measure: (a) depicts the historical or expected future financial performance, financial position or cash flow of the Company; (b) with respect to its composition, excludes an amount that is included in, or includes an amount that is excluded from, the composition of the most comparable financial measure presented in the primary consolidated financial statements; (c) is not presented in the primary financial statements of the Company; and (d) is not a ratio.

Non-GAAP financial measures presented and discussed in this press release are as follows:

• "Adjusted EBITDA" represents operating profit (loss) adjusted to exclude depreciation and amortization, the gain (loss) on sale of assets and investments, and net income (loss) from projects accounted for using the equity method, but including "Equity Project EBITDA" from projects accounted for using the equity method (refer to Section 9 - "Quarterly Financial Data" in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") available through the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval at www.sedar.com. for a quantitative reconciliation to the most comparable financial measure).
• "Equity Project EBITDA" represents Aecon's proportionate share of the earnings or losses from projects accounted for using the equity method before depreciation and amortization, net financing expense and income taxes (refer to Section 9 - "Quarterly Financial Data" in the Company's MD&A available through the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval at www.sedar.com. for a quantitative reconciliation to the most comparable financial measure).
• "Backlog" means the total value of work that has not yet been completed that: (a) has a high certainty of being performed as a result of the existence of an executed contract or work order specifying job scope, value and timing; or (b) has been awarded to Aecon, as evidenced by an executed binding letter of intent or agreement, describing the general job scope, value and timing of such work, and where the finalization of a formal contract in respect of such work is reasonably assured. Operations and maintenance ("O&M") activities are provided under contracts that can cover a period of up to 30 years. In order to provide information that is comparable to the backlog of other categories of activity, Aecon limits backlog for O&M activities to the earlier of the contract term and the next five years.

Primary financial statements

Primary financial statements include any of the following: the consolidated balance sheets, the consolidated statements of income, the consolidated statements of comprehensive income, the consolidated statements of changes in equity, and the consolidated statements of cash flows.

Key financial measures presented in the primary financial statements of the Company and discussed in this press release are as follows:

• "Gross profit" represents revenue less direct costs and expenses. Not included in the calculation of gross profit are marketing, general and administrative expense ("MG&A"), depreciation and amortization, income (loss) from projects accounted for using the equity method, other income (loss), finance income, finance cost, income tax expense (recovery), and non-controlling interests.
• "Operating profit (loss)" represents the profit (loss) from operations, before net financing expense, income taxes and non-controlling interests.

The above measures are presented on the face of the Company's consolidated statements of income and are not meant to be a substitute for other subtotals or totals presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), but rather should be evaluated in conjunction with such IFRS measures.

Non-GAAP Ratios

A non-GAAP ratio is a financial measure presented in the form of a ratio, fraction, percentage or similar representation and that has a non-GAAP financial measure as one of its components.

A non-GAAP ratio presented and discussed in this press release is as follows:

• "Adjusted EBITDA margin" represents Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue.

Supplementary Financial Measures

A supplementary financial measure: (a) is, or is intended to be, disclosed on a periodic basis to depict the historical or expected future financial performance, financial position or cash flow of the Company; (b) is not presented in the financial statements of the Company, (c) is not a non-GAAP financial measure; and (d) is not a non-GAAP ratio.

Key supplementary financial measures presented discussed in this press release are as follows:

• "Gross profit margin" represents gross profit as a percentage of revenue.
• "Operating margin" represents operating profit (loss) as a percentage of revenue.
• "MG&A as a percent of revenue" represents marketing, general and administrative expense as a percentage of revenue.

STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

The information in this press release includes certain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data and operating plans but are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements regarding the operations, business, financial condition, expected financial results, performance, prospects, ongoing objectives, strategies and outlook for Aecon, including statements regarding the sufficiency of Aecon's liquidity and working capital requirements for the foreseeable future. Forward-looking statements may in some cases be identified by words such as "will," "plans," "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "projects," "intends," "should" or the negative of these terms, or similar expressions. In addition to events beyond Aecon's control, there are factors which could cause actual or future results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or inferred herein including, but not limited to: the timing of projects, unanticipated costs and expenses, the failure to recognize and adequately respond to climate change concerns or public and governmental expectations on climate matters, general market and industry conditions and operational and reputational risks, including large project risk and contractual factors, and risks relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Risk factors are discussed in greater detail in Section 13 - "Risk Factors" in Management's Discussion and Analysis filed on March 1, 2022. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Aecon undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Aecon Group Inc.