ACW Accuride Corp.

• First Quarter 2016 Results:
  • Net loss of $4.7 million, or $0.10 per share
  • Net sales of $160.9 million, down 12.4 percent from the first quarter of 2015
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $15.0 million, down 29.6 percent from the first quarter of 2015
• Full-year financial guidance remains unchanged

Accuride Corporation (NYSE: ACW) – a leading supplier of components to the North American and European commercial vehicle industries – today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016.

"Overall, our first quarter results were within our expectations,” said Rick Dauch, Accuride President and CEO. “Our North American facilities continued to operate at world-class levels producing industry-leading products at superior lead times, while we carefully managed working capital and cash. This was a challenging task, as the team dealt with several headwinds including the onset of lower North American Class 8 truck demand and ongoing weakness in Brillion’s end markets, as well as the anticipated results of our Gianetti Ruote business now in the early stages of its ‘Fix & Grow’ turnaround plan.

“Looking ahead, production in the medium-duty segment is expected to remain healthy while the trailer segment is projected to be flat to slightly down compared to 2015. The overall stability of these two market segments, along with our increased share position in the aftermarket, should help mitigate some of the 27 percent decline expected in North American Class 8 production this year. To proactively address the forecasted decline in volumes in both our commercial vehicle and industrial end markets, we took aggressive actions in the first quarter to align our cost run-rate to the anticipated lower volumes by adjusting our plant schedules and staffing levels. In addition, we reduced corporate headcount, are aggressively managing corporate spending for 2016 and are lowering capital expenditures by $5 million. The combined strength in the North American medium-duty and trailer markets, in conjunction with these corrective actions, are the primary reason we are maintaining our key financial guidance ranges for 2016. Within this context, we will continue to pursue opportunities to expand share and drive profitable growth in 2016 and beyond."

First Quarter 2016 Results

First quarter 2016 net sales were $160.9 million, down $22.7 million or 12.4 percent, from the same period a year ago. The decrease was driven by $19.4 million related to the continued softness in demand at our Brillion business unit, $12.8 million in pricing related to the pass-through of lower raw material costs and $4.9 million due to lower demand in North America wheels. Partially offsetting those decreases were $10.4 million in net sales related to our majority investment in Gianetti Ruote and $4.0 million from increased market share at Gunite.

Accuride’s operating income was $2.4 million for the quarter, compared to operating income of $9.3 million in the first quarter of 2015. This was primarily due to the incremental margin loss on the lower demand in our Wheels and Brillion business units and the planned negative operating margin in the Gianetti business. The Company reported a net loss from continuing operations attributable to shareholders of $4.7 million, or a negative $0.10 per share, compared to a net loss of $0.6 million, or a negative $0.01 per share, in the first quarter of 2015. First quarter Adjusted EBITDA was $15.0 million, or 9.3 percent of net sales, compared to $21.3 million, or 11.6 percent of net sales, in the same quarter of 2015.

First Quarter Business Segment Results

Wheels

Wheels segment net sales were $105.4 million, down $3.0 million, or 2.7 percent, from the same period in 2015. The first quarter of 2016 included $10.4 million in net sales related to our majority investment in Gianetti that occurred in November 2015. Excluding the net sales from Gianetti, the Wheels segment net sales were down $13.4 million, or 12.4 percent, from the same period in 2015. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to price decreases related to the pass-through of lower raw material costs and weaker demand within the Class 8 market segment in North America. The Wheels segment Adjusted EBITDA was $20.7 million which was a decrease of $1.5 million, or 6.7 percent, from the first quarter of 2015.

Gunite

Gunite segment net sales of $38.7 million were up $1.0 million, or 2.6 percent, from the first quarter of 2015. This increase is attributable primarily to increased market share in aftermarket brake drums, partially offset by price decreases related to the pass-through of lower raw material costs. Gunite’s Adjusted EBITDA was $4.5 million, which was an increase of $0.4 million, or 9.8 percent from the first quarter of 2015.

Brillion Iron Works

Brillion Iron Works segment net sales of $16.8 million were down $20.8 million, or 55.2 percent, from the first quarter of 2015. This was primarily due to reduced end market demand from customers in the oil and gas, agricultural and mining markets. Brillion’s Adjusted EBITDA was a negative $2.2 million, a decrease of $5.6 million, from the first quarter of 2015. Brillion’s lower cost structure and recent capital investments have allowed it to earn additional new business that is scheduled to ramp up in the second half of 2016 and will help offset continued weakness in end market demand.

Liquidity and Debt

As of March 31, 2016, total debt was $323.8 million, consisting of $304.7 million of our outstanding 9.5% senior secured notes, net of discount and debt issuance costs, $8.7 million in short term obligations related to our majority interest in Gianetti and $10.3 million drawn on our ABL Credit Facility. As of March 31, 2016, Accuride had $18.5 million of cash plus $43.3 million in availability under its ABL Credit Facility for total liquidity of $61.8 million.

2016 Financial Guidance

As previously communicated, Accuride expects 2016 revenue to be in the range of $650 million to $700 million, with Adjusted EBITDA in the range of $65 million to $80 million. Accuride also expects free cash flow for 2016 to be roughly breakeven. The Company is basing these expectations for its 2016 guidance on the following projections for North American commercial vehicle production and other key assumptions for the year:

• North American Class 8 production levels in the range of 220,000 to 240,000 units
• North American Class 5-7 production levels in the range of 220,000 to 240,000 units
• North American Trailer production in the range of 270,000 to 290,000 units
• European heavy and medium-duty truck builds in the range of 510,000 to 530,000 units
• Commercial vehicle aftermarket generally flat versus prior year
• Brillion business unit net sales down 10 percent to 15 percent versus prior year
• Full year consolidation of Gianetti Ruote

Earnings Conference Call Information

Accuride will host a conference call to discuss the financial and operational results of its First Quarter Fiscal Year 2016 on Tuesday, May 3, 2016, beginning at 9:00 a.m. CDT. Analysts and investors may access the conference call by dialing (877) 543-8122 in the United States, or (615) 247-0091 internationally, and using participant code 96162725. A live webcast of the call will be available at the Accuride website Investors section: www.AccurideCorp.com/investors. A replay will be available from noon CDT on May 3, 2016 until 11:59 p.m. CDT, May 10, 2016, by calling (855) 859-2056 in the United States, or (404) 537-3406 internationally, using access code 96162725.

About Accuride Corporation

With headquarters in Evansville, Ind., USA, Accuride Corporation is a leading supplier of components to the North American and European commercial vehicle industries. The company’s products include commercial vehicle wheels; wheel-end components and assemblies; and specialty cast-iron components for a range of agricultural, construction and mining, and oil and gas equipment applications. The company’s products are marketed under its brand names, which include Accuride®, Accuride Wheel End Solutions™, Gunite®, Gianetti Ruote™ and Brillion™. Accuride’s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ACW. For more information, visit the Company’s website at http://www.accuridecorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this news release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding Accuride’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, and intentions with respect to future results. Such statements are subject to the impact on Accuride’s business and prospects generally of, among other factors, market demand in the commercial vehicle industry, general economic, business and financing conditions, labor relations, governmental action, competitor pricing activity, expense volatility and other risks detailed from time to time in Accuride’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including those described in Item 1A of Accuride’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015. Any forward-looking statement reflects only Accuride’s belief at the time the statement is made. Although Accuride believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee its future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Except as required by law, Accuride undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or developments after the date of this news release.

Three Months Operating Results(UNAUDITED)

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

(Dollars in thousands) 2016   2015   Net sales:

Wheels

$ 105,383 65.5 % $ 108,336 59.0 % Gunite 38,713 24.1 % 37,740 20.5 % Brillion Iron Works   16,846 10.4 %   37,583 20.5 % Total net sales $ 160,942 100.0 % $ 183,659 100.0 %   Gross Profit $ 15,299 9.5 % $ 20,931 11.4 %   Income (loss) from Operations: Wheels $ 11,150 10.6 % $ 13,252 12.2 % Gunite 3,059 7.9 % 2,741 7.3 % Brillion Iron Works (3,369) (20.0) % 2,196 5.8 % Corporate / Other   (8,422) —   (8,861) — Consolidated Total $ 2,418 1.5 % $ 9,328 5.1 %   Adjusted EBITDA: Wheels $ 20,731 19.7 % $ 22,229 20.5 % Gunite 4,468 11.5 % 4,076 10.8 % Brillion Iron Works (2,228) (13.2) % 3,381 9.0 % Corporate / Other   (7,985) —   (8,401) — Consolidated Total   $ 14,986

 

9.3

%   $ 21,285   11.6 %  

ACCURIDE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)(UNAUDITED)

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

(In thousands except per share data) 2016   2015   NET SALES $ 160,942 $ 183,659 COST OF GOODS SOLD   145,643   162,728 GROSS PROFIT 15,299 20,931 OPERATING EXPENSES: Selling, general and administrative   12,881   11,603 INCOME FROM OPERATIONS 2,418 9,328 OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE): Interest expense, net (8,401) (8,350) Other income (loss), net   1,061   (1,172) LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS (4,922) (194) INCOME TAX PROVISION   (301)   (386) LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS (5,223) (580) DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF TAX   —   (8) NET LOSS $ (5,223) $ (588)

NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING MINORITY INTEREST

  (479)   — NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO STOCKHOLDERS $ (4,744) $ (588)       EARNINGS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO STOCKHOLDERS Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic 48,100 47,822 Basic loss per share-continuing operations (0.10) (0.01) Basic loss per share-discontinued operations   —   — Basic loss per share $ (0.10) $ (0.01) Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted 48,100 47,822 Diluted loss per share-continuing operations (0.10) (0.01) Diluted loss per share-discontinued operations   —   — Diluted loss per share $ (0.10) $ (0.01)  

ACCURIDE CORPORATIONCONSOLIDATED ADJUSTED EBITDA(UNAUDITED)

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

(In thousands) 2016   2015   Net loss $ (5,223) $ (588) Income tax provision 301 386 Interest expense, net 8,401 8,350 Depreciation and amortization 11,015 10,596 Noncontrolling interest 355 — Restructuring, severance and other charges1 584 708 Other items related to our credit agreement2   (447)   1,833 Adjusted EBITDA $ 14,986 $ 21,285  

Note:

1)   For the three months ended March 31, 2016, Adjusted EBITDA represents net income before net interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries, plus $0.6 million in costs associated with restructuring items. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, Adjusted EBITDA represents net income before net interest expense, income tax benefit, depreciation and amortization, plus $0.7 million in costs associated with restructuring items. 2) Items related to our credit agreement refer to amounts utilized in the calculation of financial covenants in Accuride’s senior credit facility. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, items related to our credit agreement consisted of foreign currency losses / (gains) and other income or expenses of $(0.5) million. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, items related to our credit agreement consisted of foreign currency losses / (gains) and other income or expenses of $1.8 million.  

ACCURIDE CORPORATIONSEGMENT ADJUSTED EBITDA RECONCILIATION(UNAUDITED)

   

Three Months Ended March 31, 2016

(In thousands)

Income (loss)fromOperations

 

Depreciation andAmortization

  Other  

 

AdjustedEBITDA

Wheels $ 11,150 $ 8,026 $ 1,555 $ 20,731 Gunite 3,059 1,159 250 4,468 Brillion Iron Works (3,369) 1,111 30 (2,228) Corporate / Other (8,422) 719 (282) (7,985) Discontinued Operations   —   —   —     — Consolidated Total $ 2,418 $ 11,015 $ 1,553   $ 14,986       Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 (In thousands)

Income (loss)fromOperations

Depreciation andAmortization

Other  

AdjustedEBITDA

Wheels $ 13,252 $ 7,777 $ 1,200

$

22,229

Gunite 2,741 1,085 250

 

4,076

Brillion Iron Works 2,196 1,155 30

 

3,381

Corporate / Other (8,861) 569 (109)

 

(8,401)

Discontinued Operations   (10)   10   —

 

—

Consolidated Total $ 9,318 $ 10,596 $ 1,371

$

21,285

  We define Adjusted EBITDA as our net income or loss before income tax expense or benefit, interest expense, net, depreciation and amortization, noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries, restructuring, severance, and other charges, impairment, and currency losses, net. Adjusted EBITDA has been included because we believe that it is useful for us and our investors to measure our ability to provide cash flows to meet debt service. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to net income (loss) or other traditional indicators of operating performance and cash flows determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). We present the table of Adjusted EBITDA because covenants in the agreements governing our material indebtedness contain ratios based on this measure on a quarterly basis. While Adjusted EBITDA is used as a measure of liquidity and the ability to meet debt service requirements, it is not necessarily comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies due to differences in methods of calculations.  

ACCURIDE CORPORATIONCONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS(UNAUDITED)

   

March 31,

December 31, (In thousands) 2016 2015   ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $ 18,456 $ 29,759 Customer and other receivables 72,275 65,980 Inventories 40,923 47,792 Other current assets   7,849   8,399 Total current assets 139,503 151,930 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net 220,472 224,762 OTHER ASSETS: Goodwill and other assets   226,695   226,927 TOTAL $ 586,670 $ 603,619 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: Accounts payable $ 59,701 $ 71,782 Short term debt obligations 8,689 10,286 Other current liabilities   32,408   39,830 Total current liabilities 100,798 121,898 LONG-TERM DEBT 315,020 304,254 OTHER LIABILITIES 105,618 106,613 STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY: Total stockholders’ equity   65,234   70,854 TOTAL $ 586,670 $ 603,619

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Accuride CorporationInvestor Relations:Todd Taylor, 812-962-5105ttaylor@accuridecorp.comorMedia Relations:Timothy G. Weir, APR, 812-962-5128tweir@accuridecorp.com