TERREBONNE, QC,
June 12, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - ADF
GROUP INC. ("ADF" or the "Corporation") (DRX: TSX) closed the
first quarter of the 2014 fiscal year with revenues of $12.3 million compared with $12.5 million during the same period the previous
fiscal year.
As a percentage of revenues, the gross margin
decreased from 14.7% during the three-month period ended
April 30, 2012 to 11.3%
during the three-month period ended April 30, 2013. This decrease is mainly
explained by the fact that the newly signed contracts, which are
currently in their early execution stage, carry lower margins than
those generated last year by the World Trade Center projects. It
should be noted that the gross profit margin for the quarter ended
April 30, 2013, which was similar to
those of the past quarters, also reflects the persistent pressure
exerted on prices in ADF's markets.
The Corporation closed the first quarter ended
April 30, 2013 with a negative net
income of $0.3 million ($0.01 basic and diluted per share), as opposed to
a slight net income of $0.1 million
($0.00 basic and diluted per share)
in the same period the previous year.
During the first quarter, the Corporation's
operating activities generated liquidities of $62,000. As at April 30,
2013, the Corporation had working capital of $31.4 million, of which $23.0 million in short-term available liquidities
(cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments). Available
liquidities thus exceeded the Corporation's total debt by
$20.0 million, placing the
Corporation in a solid position to support its ongoing operations,
carry out its development projects and remunerate its shareholders
in accordance with the dividend payment policy implemented at the
beginning of fiscal 2012.
Financial Highlights
|
|
|
Three-Month Periods Ended April
30, |
2013 |
2012 |
(In thousands of dollars, and dollars
per share) |
$ |
$ |
Revenues |
12,276 |
12,464 |
EBITDA |
475 |
937 |
Net income |
(269) |
91 |
— Per share (basic and
diluted) |
(0.01) |
0.00 |
Cash flows from operating
activities |
62 |
131 |
Average number of outstanding shares
(basic, in thousands) |
32,451 |
32,464 |
Average number of outstanding shares
(diluted, in thousands) |
32,451 |
32,928 |
New Contract
On March 20, 2013,
ADF announced the award of a $46.6 million contract for the fabrication
and installation of the steel structure for Quebec City's future multipurpose
amphitheatre. This contract will contribute to the Corporation's
results as of the second half of the current fiscal year, in view
of its final delivery scheduled for the second quarter of the 2015
fiscal year.
ADF Group's order backlog reached $72.0 million as of April
30, 2013 compared with $34.0
million on January 31, 2013.
Outlook
"During the third quarter ended April 30, 2013, in addition to increasing our
backlog, we also achieved significant progress in regard to our
plan to set up a fabrication plant in Great Falls, Montana. The site layout work and
construction of the infrastructures are underway and we have
already hired key personnel. We still aim to bring our new facility
on-stream by early 2014" added Mr. Jean
Paschini, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer.
"As we are witnessing early signs of a recovery
in several of our key markets in North
America, we are stepping up our efforts to build up the
order backlogs of both our Terrebonne plant and future Great Falls plants, in order for further
strengthen ADF's position for the next economic upturn", concluded
Mr. Paschini.
Dividend
On April 10, 2013,
the Corporation's Board of Directors approved the payment of a
semi-annual dividend of $0.01 per
share, which was paid on May 17, 2013
to shareholders of record as at April 30,
2013.
Annual Meeting of Shareholders
ADF Group's Annual Meeting of Shareholders will
take place this morning, June 12,
2013 at 11:00 am at the
Sheraton Hotel in Laval.
About ADF Group Inc.
ADF Group Inc. is a North American leader in the
design and engineering of connections, fabrication and installation
of complex steel structures, heavy steel built-ups, as well as in
miscellaneous and architectural metals for the non residential
construction industry. ADF Group Inc. is one of the few players in
the industry capable of handling highly technically complex mega
projects on fast-track schedules in the commercial, institutional,
industrial and public sectors.
Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains forward-looking
statements reflecting ADF objectives and expectations. These
statements are identified by the use of verbs such as "expect" as
well as by the use of future or conditional tenses. By their very
nature these types of statements involve risks and uncertainty.
Consequently, reality may differ from ADF's expectations.
Non-IFRS Measures
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation
and amortization ("EBITDA") is not a performance measure recognized
by IFRS standards, and is not likely to be comparable to similar
measures presented by other issuers. Management, as well as
investors, consider this to be useful information to assist them in
assessing the Corporation's profitability and ability to generate
funds to finance its operations.
All amounts are in Canadian dollars, unless
otherwise indicated.
CONFERENCE CALL WITH INVESTORS
To discuss ADF Group's results for the first quarter ended April
30, 2013
Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. (Montreal time)
To participate in the conference call, please dial
1-888-231-8191 a few minutes before the start of the
call.
For those unable to participate, a taped rebroadcast will be
available from
Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. until midnight Wednesday,
June 19, 2013,
by dialing 1-855-859-2056; access code 76451277.
The conference call (audio) will also be available at
www.adfgroup.com
Members of the media are invited to listen in. |
SOURCE ADF Group Inc.