SPAR Spartan Motors Inc

CHARLOTTE, Mich., Nov. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Spartan Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAR) ("Spartan" or the "Company") today reported operating results for the third quarter of 2015.  The Company posted a net loss of $5.8 million, or ($0.17) per share, on revenue of $136.6 million versus net income of $3.2 million, or $0.09 per share, on revenue of $144.2 million in the third quarter of 2014.  Results for the third quarter of 2015 include non-cash, pre-tax asset impairment charges of $2.2 million and a non-cash valuation allowance on deferred tax assets of $3.2 million, plus restructuring expenses of $0.5 million in the Emergency Response (ER) segment, compared to $0.3 million in the third quarter of 2014.  

Third Quarter 2015 Overview

For the third quarter of 2015 compared to the third quarter of 2014:

• Net sales of $136.6 million, down 5.3% from $144.2 million
• Gross margin of 9.4% of sales versus 12.5%^*
• Operating loss of $0.5 million versus operating income of $4.3 million
• Adjusted operating income of $2.2 million excluding asset impairment and restructuring charges versus $4.5 million
• Quarterly tax provision of $5.2 million includes $3.2 million valuation allowance of deferred tax assets
• Net loss of $5.8 million, or ($0.17) per share, versus net income of $3.2 million, or $0.09 per share
• Adjusted net loss of $0.1 million, or ($0.00) per share, compared to adjusted net income of $3.4 million, or $0.10 per share
• Order backlog increased to $275.3 million at September 30, 2015, from $233.4 million at September 30, 2014

(*Cost of goods sold for both periods includes certain engineering expenses that were previously classified as operating expenses.  There was no impact on operating income or net income for either period.)

Daryl Adams, Spartan's Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Spartan continues to focus on our operational goals of implementing efficient manufacturing practices and improving quality in order to deliver consistent, positive financial performance.  Delivery & Service Vehicle (DSV) and Specialty Chassis & Vehicle (SCV) both reported revenue growth, with DSV more than doubling operating income compared to last year, while the Emergency Response (ER) business continues to be challenging.

"A year ago, the company announced a multi-year strategic restructuring plan for the ER segment.  These efforts resulted in operational improvement during the first half of 2015, but we experienced production setbacks during the third quarter.  As a result, we have changed leadership and named John Slawson as President of Spartan Emergency Response.  His extensive ER industry expertise is an important asset as we pursue our top priority of turning around the performance of the ER business," said Adams.

• Total revenue increased to $54.2 million from $52.5 million in the third quarter of 2014, driven primarily by higher aftermarket parts and vehicle up-fit center sales.  Favorable vehicle mix yielded a modest increase in revenue, despite lower unit shipments compared to the third quarter of 2014.           
• Operating profit was $4.1 million in the third quarter of 2015, more than doubling from $1.8 million a year ago.  A favorable product mix and higher aftermarket parts sales, plus better material utilization and reductions in operating expenses, drove higher operating income compared to the third quarter of 2014.
• The DSV segment's backlog at the end of the third quarter of 2015 stood at $107.7 million, compared to $54.8 million at September 30, 2014.

• ER segment revenue decreased to $42.0 million from $60.7 million as a result of a substantial decline in units shipped as compared to the third quarter of 2014.  Revenue in the third quarter of 2014 included approximately $14.0 million from the shipment of 46 units of a 70-unit order to Peru.
• The ER segment posted an operating loss of $6.0 million in the third quarter, compared to operating income of $1.7 million in the prior year.  Unfavorable product mix and lower unit shipments accounted for $4.6 million of the decrease in operating profit compared to the third quarter of 2014.  Other factors contributing to an operating loss in the third quarter were non-cash asset impairment charges of $2.2 million, restructuring expenses of $0.5 million and $1.4 million in one-time service campaign and warranty reserve accruals.
• Backlog decreased to $145.1 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $156.0 million at September 30, 2014.

• The SCV segment reported revenue for the third quarter of $40.3 million, an increase of 29.5 percent from $31.1 million in the third quarter of 2014.  Motorhome chassis sales increased to $32.4 million from $23.4 million, due to higher unit shipments year-over-year.  Aftermarket Parts & Assemblies (APA) sales rose to $5.6 million from $5.2 million, while Other Specialty Vehicle revenue declined to $2.4 million from $2.5 million due to lower contract manufacturing activity compared to the third quarter of 2014. 
• Operating income decreased 5.3 percent to $2.8 million from $2.9 million a year ago due to $0.7 million in additional warranty accruals for a steering gear bracket recall and a less favorable chassis mix, largely offset by higher sales volume.    
• Backlog at September 30, 2015, totaled $22.5 million versus $22.6 million at September 30, 2014.   

Financial Summary and Outlook

Rick Sohm, Spartan's Chief Financial Officer, commented, "DSV's operating income more than doubled from last year's third quarter, and SCV's third quarter operating income was flat with 2014, despite a $0.7 million warranty accrual recorded in the third quarter of 2015.  Still, consolidated operating results for the third quarter of 2015 were disappointing, with the Company reporting an operating loss of $0.5 million.  Third quarter 2015 results included non-cash asset impairment charges of $2.2 million, restructuring charges of $0.5 million and $2.1 million in one-time warranty accruals.  Excluding the asset impairment and restructuring charges, the Company's adjusted operating income was $2.2 million.  We also recorded a non-cash valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets of $3.2 million that is included in our income tax provision of $5.2 million for the quarter and is a major factor in our net loss of $5.8 million." 

Sohm continued, "We expect both DSV and SCV to be profitable in the fourth quarter but project operational challenges in ER to result in a consolidated operating loss for the fourth quarter of 2015, as well as the full year.  Our balance sheet at September 30 remained strong, with cash of $20.9 million.  We expect cash to be above this level at the end of 2015 as we work to reduce accounts receivable and inventory balances during the fourth quarter."

Daryl Adams concluded, "Our priority is on turning around operations in the ER business.  With new leadership, we will work to return the ER business to planned operating performance levels by the end of the year while we support the profitable growth of our other two business units, positioning the company for improved performance in 2016."

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This release contains adjusted operating income, adjusted net income (loss) attributable to Spartan Motors and adjusted earnings (loss) per share measures, which are all Non-GAAP financial measures. These are calculated by excluding items that we believe to be infrequent or not indicative of our operating performance.  For the periods covered by this release such items consist of expenses associated with restructuring actions taken to improve the efficiency and profitability of certain of our manufacturing operations, non-cash asset impairment charges and a non-cash deferred tax asset valuation allowance.  We present these adjusted Non-GAAP measures because we consider them to be important supplemental measures of our performance and believe them to be useful to show ongoing results from operations distinct from items that are infrequent or not indicative of our operating performance. 

The adjusted Non-GAAP measures are not measurements of our financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to operating income, net income (loss) attributable to Spartan Motors or earnings (loss) per share under GAAP. These adjusted Non-GAAP measures have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. In addition, in evaluating the adjusted Non-GAAP measures, you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses similar to the adjustments in this presentation, despite our assessment that such expenses are infrequent or not indicative of our operating performance.  Our presentation of the adjusted Non-GAAP measures should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or infrequent items. We compensate for these limitations by providing equal prominence of our GAAP results and using adjusted Non-GAAP measures only as a supplement.

The following table reconciles operating income (loss) to adjusted operating income, net income (loss) attributable to Spartan Motors to adjusted net income (loss) attributable to Spartan Motors and earnings (loss) per share to adjusted earnings (loss) per share for the periods indicated.

Conference Call, Webcast, Investor Presentation and Investor Information  
Spartan Motors will host a conference call for analysts and portfolio managers at 10 a.m. ET today to discuss these results and current business trends.  To listen to a live webcast of the call, please visit www.spartanmotors.com, click on "Shareholders," and then on "Webcasts."  To view the investor presentation that accompanies this press release, please visit the "Shareholders" section, then "Investor Presentations."  For more information about Spartan, please visit www.spartanmotors.com. 

About Spartan Motors       
Spartan Motors, Inc. designs, engineers and manufactures specialty chassis, specialty vehicles, truck bodies and aftermarket parts for the recreational vehicle (RV), emergency response, government services, defense, and delivery and service markets. The Company's brand names – Spartan™, Spartan Chassis™, Spartan ER™, Spartan ERV™ and Utilimaster® - are known for quality, performance, service and first-to-market innovation. The Company employs approximately 1,600 associates at facilities in Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Indiana. Spartan reported sales of $507 million in 2014 and is focused on becoming a global leader in the design, engineering and manufacture of specialty vehicles and chassis. Visit Spartan Motors at www.spartanmotors.com.

This release contains several forward-looking statements that are not historical facts, including statements concerning our business, strategic position, financial projections, financial strength, future plans, objectives, and the performance of our products and operations. These statements can be identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "intend," "potential," "future," "may," "will," "should," and similar expressions regarding future expectations.  These forward-looking statements involve various known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, and likelihood.  Therefore, actual performance and results may materially differ from what may be expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements.  Factors that could contribute to these differences include operational and other complications that may arise affecting the implementation of our plans and business objectives; continued pressures caused by economic conditions and the pace and extent of the economic recovery; challenges that may arise in connection with the integration of new businesses or assets we acquire or the disposition of assets; restructuring of our operations, and/or our expansion into new geographic markets; issues unique to government contracting, such as competitive bidding processes, qualification requirements, and delays or changes in funding; disruptions within our dealer network; changes in our relationships with major customers, suppliers, or other business partners, including Isuzu; changes in the demand or supply of products within our markets or raw materials needed to manufacture those products; and changes in laws and regulations affecting our business.  Other factors that could affect outcomes are set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which are available at www.sec.gov or our website.  All forward-looking statements in this release are qualified by this paragraph.  Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results.  We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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SOURCE Spartan Motors, Inc.