Aegion Corporation Reports 2015 Financial Results

Aegion Corporation (Nasdaq Global Select Market: AEGN) today reported financial results from continuing operations for the full year and fourth quarter 2015. For the full year 2015, GAAP loss from continuing operations was $8.1 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, compared to a loss of $33.3 million, or $0.88 per diluted share in 2014. The losses in 2014 and 2015 were the result of expenses and charges associated with Aegion’s strategic realignment and restructuring plan announced in October 2014 (the “2014 Restructuring”) and the restructuring plan announced in January 2016 (the “2016 Restructuring”). 2015 adjusted earnings were $47.2 million, or $1.28 per diluted share, compared to $52.2 million, or $1.37 per diluted share, in 2014.

For the fourth quarter of 2015, the reported GAAP loss was $32.9 million, or $0.91 per diluted share, compared to loss of $33.7 million, or $0.90 per diluted share, in the prior year. Adjusted earnings from continuing operations were $13.2 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, compared to $18.2 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2014.

Adjusted full year and fourth quarter earnings in 2015 and 2014 are defined as GAAP results excluding (where appropriate) restructuring charges, impact from losses on divestitures, long-lived asset and goodwill impairment, acquisition-related expenses, credit facility fees, litigation settlement, reserves for long-dated accounts receivable, and an escrow settlement related to the July 1, 2013 Brinderson acquisition.

Charles R. Gordon, Aegion’s President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Aegion successfully managed through the impact from a steep decline in oil prices and a sharp rise of the U.S. dollar in 2015 to deliver solid earnings, a strong balance sheet and record operating cash flows. We took advantage of favorable end markets within Infrastructure Solutions, Energy Services’ downstream business and portions of the midstream pipeline market for Corrosion Protection while realizing the benefits from the 2014 Restructuring.

“In 2016, we expect to benefit from another year of stable market conditions across many of the Company’s end markets. In addition, given our estimation for a prolonged and challenging energy market, we have reduced our exposure in certain North American high cost extraction oil regions and are lowering annual operating costs by approximately $15 million. Despite the difficult energy environment, we expect 2016 adjusted earnings per share to be in line with the result achieved in 2015. Our outlook includes an anticipated contribution in the fourth quarter from a significant multi-year pipe coating and insulation contract.

“Looking forward, we are pursuing strategic initiatives to expand our presence in the rehabilitation of pressure pipelines, invest in new tools and process to expand our capabilities in midstream pipelines and add higher margin services to broaden our portfolio of solutions for customers. The recently completed acquisition of Underground Solutions underscores our progress in the pressure pipe market. In 2016, we also are launching a company-wide continuous improvement initiative to enhance productivity and are investing to further enhance our sales efforts to accelerate organic growth. We remain confident these are the right actions to achieve long term and sustainable growth.”

Consolidated contract backlog at December 31, 2015 increased 2.4 percent to $776.5 million compared to December 31, 2014. The backlog comparison includes an $11.1 million adverse impact from currency translation as a result of the strength of the United States dollar in 2015 and a significant reduction in upstream backlog for Energy Services and Corrosion Protection related to the current oil and gas market environment and the Company’s response through the previously announced strategic actions.

Infrastructure Solutions’ backlog declined 7.8 percent to $311.2 million at December 31, 2015 compared to December 31, 2014 as a result of three primary factors. The combination of adverse currency translation effects, coupled with the exit from certain international markets, accounted for $9.9 million, or 38 percent of the decline. In addition, a large pressure pipe rehabilitation project for the nuclear industry was in contract backlog at December 31, 2014 and was fully performed in 2015, which accounted for the remainder of the decrease year-over-year.

Corrosion Protection backlog increased 54.8 percent to $272.5 million at December 31, 2015 compared to December 31, 2014 because of the Company's execution of an offshore, deepwater pipe coating and insulation contract, which is valued at over $130 million, during the fourth quarter of 2015. The Company’s sale of its 51 percent stake in Bayou Perma-Pipe Canada, Ltd, further reductions in capital and maintenance expenditures by upstream customers and, to a lessor extent, for certain midstream customers, partially offset the increase in reported backlog. There was a $4.9 million adverse currency translation impact due to the strength of the United States dollar.

Energy Services backlog declined 21.1 percent to $192.8 million at December 31, 2015 compared to December 31, 2014 as a result of a significant decline in upstream backlog associated with the non-renewal in late 2015 of two long-term upstream maintenance contracts in Central California. Downstream backlog increased low single digits to remain at record levels as market conditions continue to be favorable.

Aegion Realignment and Restructuring

2016 Restructuring

On January 4, 2016, Aegion announced a restructuring plan to reposition Energy Services’ upstream operations in California, right-size the Corrosion Protection platform to compete more effectively in the energy markets and reduce corporate and other operating expenses. These actions were in response to the dramatic decline in oil prices and the Company’s assessment that the current low price environment would persist for the foreseeable future. Management intends to complete the cost reductions and record the majority of the estimated $7 to $9 million in pre-tax charges, most of which are cash charges, during the first quarter of 2016. The pre-tax charges relate to employee severance, extension of benefits, employment assistance programs, early lease termination and other non-cash costs associated with the restructuring. In addition to the actions taken to mitigate the upstream exposure, the restructuring initiative is expected to reduce consolidated annual operating expenses by approximately $15 million, most of which is to be realized in 2016.

2014 Restructuring

On October 6, 2014, Aegion announced a realignment and restructuring plan to exit low-return CIPP contracting markets within Infrastructure Solutions, right-size Corrosion Protection’s Bayou pipe coating facility in Louisiana and reduce the size of the Company’s overhead structure for the purpose of improving gross margins and profitability over the long term. In 2014, pre-tax charges were $49.5 million ($36.2 million after-tax, or $0.95 per diluted share). On a pre-tax basis, non-cash and cash charges were $43.8 million and $5.7 million, respectively. In 2015, the Company recorded pre-tax charges of $11.0 million ($8.7 million after-tax), or $0.24 per diluted share, related to the loss on the sale of Insituform’s contracting businesses in France and Switzerland, severance, retention and other cash items related to the shutdown of contracting operations in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia and the combination of the Fyfe/Fibrwrap business with Insituform. There was a modest pre-tax charge of $0.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 related to trailing costs primarily associated with the shutdown of Insituform’s contracting operation in Hong Kong. On a pre-tax basis, non-cash and cash charges in 2015 were $4.7 million and $6.3 million, respectively. The 2014 Restructuring achieved its objective of generating pre-tax savings of $10.8 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, which was fully realized in 2015.

Consolidated Highlights

Fourth Quarter 2015 versus Fourth Quarter 2014
The Company reports its results on a GAAP and adjusted (non-GAAP) basis. Adjusted measures exclude certain pre-tax charges and are reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP measures in this release.

Consolidated revenues declined $21.5 million, or 6.1 percent, to $330.7 million. The strength of the United States dollar resulted in a $14.9 million negative impact to consolidated revenues. Additionally, the Company’s October 2014 decision to exit several international contract installation markets in Infrastructure Solutions accounted for $6.3 million of the negative variance. The 2014 Restructuring and the negative currency translation impact were the primary reasons for the $9.9 million, or 6.8 percent, revenue decline to $135.1 million for Infrastructure Solutions. Excluding the currency translation impact, the North America water and wastewater business benefited from favorable weather and a healthy backlog position to match the equally strong performance in the prior year quarter. Revenues for Fyfe/Fibrwrap were primarily due to the completion of several larger projects in the prior year quarter. Revenues for Corrosion Protection declined $18.6 million, or 14.6 percent, to $108.8 million. Currency translation accounted for $9.8 million of the variance with the remainder the result of market challenges in the upstream market and deferral of certain projects in the North America midstream market. Energy Services grew revenues $7.0 million, or 8.8 percent, to $86.9 million because of continued strong performance in the West Coast downstream refining market, which more than offset the expected revenue decline in the challenging Central California upstream market.

Consolidated adjusted gross profit decreased $16.3 million, or 19.5 percent, to $67.5 million. Infrastructure Solutions’ adjusted gross profit declined 16.5 percent to $33.9 million and adjusted gross margins declined 290 basis points to 25.1 percent. Gross margins for the North American water and wastewater business were 24.8 percent, in line with the strong results in the prior year. The reasons for the margin percentage decline were weak economic conditions in the European contracting business, the exit of certain international contracting markets in 2015 and the successful close out of several large, high-margin, projects for Fyfe/Fibrwrap in the prior year. Corrosion Protection adjusted gross profit declined 29.0 percent to $22.9 million and adjusted gross margins contracted 430 basis points to 21.1 percent. Two factors accounted for the decline in adjusted gross profit. First, there was a significant reduction in higher margin activity because of the dramatic drop in oil prices, which resulted in, among other things, a mix shift to lower margin construction activity for the cathodic protection business in the midstream market. Second, we experienced project deferrals across the platform. Gross profit for Energy Services declined 2.4 percent to $10.7 million and gross margins declined 140 basis points to 12.3 percent as strong performance in the downstream market was offset by the impact of low oil prices on the North America upstream market. Foreign currency translation adversely impacted Infrastructure Solutions and Corrosion Protection gross profit by approximately $0.9 million and $1.8 million, respectively.

Consolidated adjusted operating expenses declined $9.4 million, or 17.0 percent, to $45.7 million. As a percent of revenues, the consolidated operating expense ratio declined 180 basis points to 13.8 percent. Adjusted operating expenses for Infrastructure Solutions decreased 24.8 percent to $18.6 million as a result of savings from the 2014 Restructuring and further cost containment efforts, primarily in North America. Adjusted operating expenses for Corrosion Protection declined 9.3 percent to $20.2 million because of cost reduction efforts to address current market conditions. Energy Services’ adjusted operating expense decreased 14.9 percent to $6.9 million because of similar cost reduction efforts in light of the challenging upstream market environment.

Consolidated adjusted operating income declined 24.1 percent to $21.8 million. Infrastructure Solutions’ adjusted operating income declined 3.5 percent to $15.3 million despite continued strong performance in the North American water and wastewater business. Excluding the exit from certain international water and wastewater contract installation markets, adjusted operating income increased by 1.0 percent due to strong performance in the North American water and wastewater business and cost containment efforts. Corrosion Protection’s adjusted operating income declined $7.3 million to $2.7 million because of challenging conditions in the North American upstream market as well as some project deferrals and a mix shift to lower margin construction services in the North American midstream market. Based on strong downstream performance and reduction in operating expenses, adjusted operating income for Energy Services increased $0.9 million to $3.8 million. Adjusted operating margins for Infrastructure Solutions, Corrosion Protection and Energy Services were 11.3 percent, 2.5 percent and 4.4 percent, respectively. Foreign currency translation negatively impacted adjusted operating income by $1.7 million, which mostly affected Corrosion Protection and to a lessor extent Infrastructure Solutions.

The adjusted effective tax rate increased by 400 basis points to 28.3 percent because of a higher proportion of earnings in higher tax jurisdictions, primarily the United States. On a GAAP basis, the effective tax rate was 6.8 percent compared to 19.8 percent in 2014. The effective tax rate in 2015 was unfavorably impacted by significant pre-tax charges, primarily related to goodwill impairment, which are not deductible for tax purposes, United States income and foreign withholding taxes on the repatriation of foreign earnings, and the impact of establishing valuation allowances on deferred tax assets in jurisdictions where we are unlikely to recognize these benefits.

Cash Flow

Net cash flow provided by continuing operations was $132.0 million in 2015 compared to $81.9 million provided in 2014. Net changes in working capital was a $35.5 million source of cash compared to a $17.9 million use of cash in the prior year. There was an increase in accounts payable from strong business volume, while receivables were down significantly as a result of a concerted effort to instill greater billing and collection discipline across the Company. Days sales outstanding on receivables decreased approximately 15 days from the prior year period. Additionally, several large deposits related to pipe coating projects were received during 2015, which accounted for a portion of the decrease in days sales outstanding.

Net cash flow used by investing activities was $39.1 million in 2015 compared to $23.2 million used in 2014. The Company used $6.7 million, net of cash acquired, for the acquisition of Schultz Mechanical Contractors, Inc. in early 2015. Capital expenditures were $29.5 million in 2015 compared to $32.9 million in the prior year. Capital expenditures were lower in 2015 as a result of management efforts to control spending in response to challenging market conditions in the energy sector. In the first quarter 2014, the Company received proceeds of $9.1 million for the sale of the Company’s 49 percent interest in Bayou Coating, L.L.C., following the majority partner’s exercise of its buy-out right.

Net cash flows from financing activities used $50.2 million in 2015 compared to $34.6 million used in the prior year. During 2015, the Company used cash of $25.3 million to repurchase approximately 1.5 million shares of Company common stock through open market purchases and in connection with the Company’s equity compensation programs. The Company also made net payments of $24.0 million related to long-term debt, including $4.4 million in fees associated with the refinancing of its $650 million credit facility in October 2015. During 2014, the Company used net cash of $22.5 million to repurchase stock and $11.5 million to pay down the principal balance on its long-term debt.

Net cash flow for 2015 was an inflow of $36.7 million, which included a $6.0 million negative impact from currency exchange rate changes. This compares to a cash inflow of $16.9 million in 2014.

Other Items Affecting Fourth Quarter 2015 Earnings

In the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company conducted its annual review of goodwill and determined an impairment charge was required for Corrosion Protection’s CRTS business due to expectations for reduced shallow water offshore pipeline installation activity for its interior pipe weld inspection and coating services. As a result of contract losses in the Central California upstream energy market and the Company’s decision to reduce Aegion’s exposure in the upstream market, the Company conducted a separate review of goodwill for the Energy Services reporting unit and concluded an impairment was also necessary. Pre-tax, non-cash charges of $43.5 million ($35.7 million post-tax) related to the impairment of goodwill for these two businesses was recorded during the fourth quarter of 2015.

The Company recently reached a tentative settlement with an Infrastructure Solutions’ customer to forgo its accounts receivable claim and pay $2.8 million (inclusive of legal fees) to settle a long-term legal dispute. The $2.8 million litigation settlement amount was recorded in Infrastructure Solutions’ fourth quarter operating expense.

The Company recorded a $2.9 million pre-tax reserve related to certain long-dated accounts receivable related to its Mexican operation, which has been deemed uncollectible due primarily to multiple reorganizations by the customer. The reserve was included in the reported fourth quarter operating expense for Corrosion Protection.

The Company recognized in “Other Income (expense)” a loss totaling $0.8 million on the February 2016 sale of its 51 percent stake in Bayou Perma-Pipe Canada, Ltd. (“BPPC”) and the sale of the Fyfe Peru business entity. There was a USD $0.6 million loss on the sale of BPPC as a result of the foreign currency translation of Company’s share of recorded book value in the joint venture compared to the sale price of USD $9.6 million.

In October 2015, the Company refinanced its $650 million credit facility, which resulted in a $3.4 million charge to interest expense for third-party arranging fees, up-front lending fees and acceleration of unamortized fees from the prior credit facility.

The Company incurred acquisition-related expenses of $1.1 million within Infrastructure Solutions, primarily with respect to the purchase of Underground Solutions, Inc. and the pending acquisition of Fyfe Europe’s operations.

About Aegion

Aegion Corporation is a global leader in infrastructure protection and maintenance, providing proprietary technologies and services: (i) to protect against the corrosion of industrial pipelines; (ii) to rehabilitate and strengthen water, wastewater, energy and mining piping systems and buildings, bridges, tunnels and waterfront structures; and (iii) to utilize integrated professional services in engineering, procurement, construction, maintenance and turnaround services for a broad range of energy related industries. Aegion’s business activities include manufacturing, distribution, maintenance, construction, installation, coating and insulation, cathodic protection, research and development and licensing. More information about Aegion can be found on our internet site at www.aegion.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements. Aegion’s forward-looking statements in this news release represent its beliefs or expectations about future events or financial performance. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to Aegion and on management’s beliefs, assumptions, estimates or projections and are not guarantees of future events or results. When used in this document, the words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “plan,” “intend, “may,” “will” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Such statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those referred to in the “Risk Factors” section of Aegion’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 29, 2016, and in subsequently filed documents. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events may not occur. In addition, Aegion’s actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated, suggested or projected. Except as required by law, Aegion does not assume a duty to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Investors should, however, review additional disclosures made by Aegion from time to time in Aegion’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Please use caution and do not place reliance on forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements made by Aegion in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements.

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Aegion has presented certain information in this release excluding certain items that impacted income, expense and earnings per share from continuing operations. The adjusted earnings per share in the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2015 exclude certain charges related to the 2014 Restructuring, the impairment of goodwill, refinancing costs, litigation settlement, acquisition-related expenses and reserves for certain long-dated accounts receivable. The adjusted earnings per share in the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2014 exclude certain charges related to the 2014 Restructuring Plan, the impairment of goodwill, the write-down of long-lived assets, the impairment of definite-lived intangible assets, acquisition-related expenses, reserves for certain long-dated accounts receivable, the Brinderson escrow settlement and the loss on sale of the Company’s 49 percent interest in Bayou Coating, L.L.C. and losses from discontinued operations.

Aegion management uses such non-GAAP information internally to evaluate financial performance for Aegion’s operations because Aegion’s management believes such non-GAAP information allows management to more accurately compare Aegion’s ongoing performance across periods. As such, Aegion’s management believes that providing non-GAAP financial information to Aegion’s investors is useful because it allows investors to evaluate Aegion’s performance using the same methodology and information used by Aegion management.

Aegion®, the Aegion® logo, Insituform®, Fibrwrap®, Fyfe®, Brinderson® and Underground Solutions® are registered trademarks of Aegion Corporation and its affiliates.

(AEGN-ER)

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