ACHESON, Alberta, Nov. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- North American Construction Group Ltd. ("NACG") today announced results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2023. Unless otherwise indicated, financial figures are expressed in Canadian dollars, and comparisons are to the prior period ended September 30, 2022.

Third Quarter 2023 Highlights:

• Reported revenue of $194.7 million, compared to $191.4 million in the same period last year, was generated primarily by the heavy equipment fleet in the oil sands region. Equipment utilization of 56%, compared to 62% in Q3 2022, was impacted by changes in work scope and the time required to move heavy equipment into the Fort Hills mine ahead of the winter season. When comparing to Q3 2022, revenue included full quarter impacts of updated equipment rates and the acquisition of ML Northern Services Ltd.
• Our net share of revenue from equity consolidated joint ventures of $168.7 million compared favourably to $161.8 million in the same period last year. The Fargo-Moorhead project posted its strongest quarter to date but was offset by Nuna which experienced permitting delays and the impacts of wildfires in northern Canada.
• Combined revenue of $272.6 million compared consistently to $269.6 million in the same period last year reflecting both consistent demand for our heavy equipment fleet and a strong quarter from the Fargo-Moorhead project offset by Nuna's top-line performance.
• Adjusted EBITDA of $59.4 million and margin of 21.8% compared consistently to the prior period metrics of $60.1 million and 22.3%, respectively, on similar revenue levels as cost effective operation of the heavy equipment was more than fully offset by costs impacts incurred by Nuna.
• Cash flows generated from operating activities of $37.5 million, compared to $31.4 million in the same period last year due to lower distributions received from joint ventures in Q3 2022.
• Free cash flow generated in the quarter was $10.0 million, compared to $3.4 million in the same period last year, as adjusted EBITDA was primarily used for sustaining capital maintenance and cash interest.
• Net debt was $395.3 million at September 30, 2023, an increase of $1.0 million from June 30, 2023, as free cash flow generation funded growth spending, dividends and trust activity during the quarter.
• Effective October 1, 2023, we closed our acquisition of MacKellar Group ("MacKellar"), a privately-owned heavy earthworks company based in Australia. As disclosed on July 26, 2023, total expected consideration remains $395 million and the transaction was fully funded by bank secured and vendor provided financing. MacKellar adds approximately 450 mobile heavy equipment assets; 1,000 employees, including over 375 maintenance personnel; and 15 operating projects across a variety of service offerings including contract mining, civil earthworks, dry and maintained equipment rentals and component rebuilds.

Joseph Lambert, President and CEO commented: "The third quarter generally came in line with overall expectation as our traditional heavy equipment fleet and the Fargo-Moorhead project exceeded targets while Nuna posted low operating margins due to the impacts of permitting delays and wildfires in northern Canada."

"Closing the MacKellar transaction was a major milestone for our Company and we are pleased to report that their current operating run-rate exceeds our acquisition model and allowed us to increase expectations for 2024. Onboarding sessions went very well and we couldn't be more excited about the opportunities in Australia."

Consolidated Financial Highlights

⁽ⁱ⁾See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".
⁽ⁱⁱ⁾Combined gross profit margin is calculated using combined gross profit over total combined revenue.
⁽ⁱⁱⁱ⁾Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated using adjusted EBITDA over total combined revenue.

⁽ⁱ⁾See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".

Declaration of Quarterly Dividend

On October 31, 2023, the NACG Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend (the "Dividend") of ten Canadian cents ($0.10) per common share, payable to common shareholders of record at the close of business on November 30, 2023. The Dividend will be paid on January 5, 2024, and is an eligible dividend for Canadian income tax purposes.

Financial Results for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

Revenue of $194.7 million represented a $3.4 million (or 2%) increase from Q3 2022. Consistent year-over-year revenue was led by the heavy equipment fleet at Fort Hills. Equipment utilization of 56% was negatively impacted by a change in work scopes and the time required to move heavy equipment into the Fort Hills mine ahead of the winter season. In addition, wet weather in July and project completion in late August at the gold mine in Northern Ontario impacted utilization. The purchase of ML Northern Services Ltd.'s ("ML Northern") fuel and lube fleet, which occurred on October 1, 2022, and DGI Trading had modest impacts on revenue with services and sales provided to external customers. Lastly, another ultra-class haul truck was rebuilt, commissioned and sold to the Mikisew North American Limited Partnership ("MNALP"), bringing its haul truck fleet to seventeen.

Combined revenue of $272.6 million represented a $3.0 million (or 1%) increase from Q3 2022. Our share of revenue generated in Q3 2023 by joint ventures and affiliates was $77.9 million, compared to $78.2 million in Q3 2022. The Nuna Group of Companies suffered the revenue impacts of two project permitting delays and the ripple effects of a month-long evacuation of Yellowknife, NWT. Supply chain disruptions from the evacuation and the pervasive impacts of the record-setting wildfires in northern Canada hampered Nuna's ability to complete scopes it normally completes during the third quarter. The completion of the gold mine project in northern Ontario at the end of August contributed to the quarter over quarter variance. Offsetting these variances was the Fargo-Moorhead flood diversion project which completed its largest operational quarter to date and is on track to reach the one-quarter mark of completed scopes during the fourth quarter.

Adjusted EBITDA and the associated margin of $59.4 million and 21.8% were generally consistent with the Q3 2022 results of $60.1 million and 22.3%, respectively. Cost effective operation of the heavy equipment fleet within our wholly-owned business generated increased EBITDA quarter over quarter. This was fully offset by margin impacts experienced within the Nuna Group of Companies from the aforementioned wildfire conditions in northern Canada and completion of the gold mine project in northern Ontario. EBITDA generated by the Fargo joint ventures tracked the aforementioned strong revenue quarter as construction costs are being incurred according to plan.

Depreciation of our equipment fleet was 14.7% of revenue in the quarter, compared relatively consistently to the 13.8% in Q3 2022. Our internal maintenance programs continue to produce low-cost and longer life components allowing for depreciation rates to remain in this range.

General and administrative expenses (excluding stock-based compensation) were $6.9 million, or 3.5% of revenue, compared to $6.6 million, or 3.4% of revenue in Q3 2022. Consistent costs were incurred as increases from ML Northern and cost items impacted by inflation were offset by cost discipline in discretionary areas and associated cost recoveries from our joint ventures.

Cash related interest expense (See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures") for the quarter was $7.8 million at an average cost of debt of 7.1%, compared to 5.8% in Q3 2022, as rate increases posted by the Bank of Canada directly impact our Credit Facility and have a delayed impact on the rates for secured equipment-backed financing. Total interest expense was $8.1 million in the quarter, compared to $6.5 million in Q3 2022.

Adjusted EPS of $0.54 on adjusted net earnings of $14.3 million is down 17% from the prior year figure of $0.65 and is consistent with adjusted EBIT performance. Weighted-average common shares levels for the third quarters of 2023 and 2022 were stable at 26,700,303 and 26,836,133, respectively, net of shares classified as treasury shares.

Free cash flow was $10.0 million in the quarter and was primarily the result of adjusted EBITDA of $59.4 million, as detailed above, offset by sustaining capital additions ($42.3 million) and cash interest paid ($6.4 million).

BUSINESS UPDATES

2024 Strategic Focus Areas

• Safety - maintaining our uncompromising commitment to health and safety while elevating the standard of excellence in the field.
• Integration - focus on integration of MacKellar Group, including identification of opportunities to better utilize our capital and equipment on Australian opportunities.
• Execution - enhance our equipment availability through operational excellence with respect to fleet maintenance, reliability programs, technical improvements and management systems.
• Diversification - continue to pursue further diversification of customers and resources through strategic partnerships, industry expertise and/or investment in Indigenous joint ventures.
• Sustainability - commitment to the continued development of sustainability targets and consistent measurement of progress to those targets.
  

Liquidity

Our current liquidity positions us well moving forward to fund organic growth and the required correlated working capital investments. Including equipment financing availability and factoring in the amended Credit Facility agreement, total available capital liquidity of $154.2 million includes total liquidity of $108.4 million and $32.6 million of unused finance lease borrowing availability as at September 30, 2023. Liquidity is primarily provided by the terms of our $300.0 million credit facility which allows for funds availability based on a trailing twelve-month EBITDA as defined in the agreement.

⁽ⁱ⁾See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".

Subsequent to September 30, 2023 and concurrent with closing of the MacKellar acquisition, we entered into an amended and restated Credit Facility. The lending capacity provided by the amended Credit Facility includes a Canadian dollar tranche of $280 million and an Australian dollar tranche of $220 million, totaling $470 million of lending capacity using the exchange rate in effect as at October 3, 2023. The Credit Facility permits incurrence of $350 million of secured equipment financing from third party providers resulting in a total borrowing limit of $820 million. Based on the upfront payments made and senior secured debt assumed at closing, total liquidity and total capital liquidity is estimated to be approximately $105 million and $205 million upon transaction close (as compared to $108.4 million and $154.2 million, respectively as at September 30, 2023).

NACG’s Outlook

Our expectation that our projected free cash flows for the full year 2023, in the range of $90 to $110 million, updated from previous reporting to reflect the acquisition of MacKellar and expected timing of cash received from joint ventures, and full year 2024, in the range of $160 to $185 million, will improve our liquidity position. We maintain our belief that we have the contracted work to provide sufficient free cash flow to both de-lever our balance sheet and pursue opportunities to continue our diversification and growth objectives.

⁽ⁱ⁾See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".
⁽ⁱⁱ⁾For clarity, the outlook for adjusted EPS and net debt leverage excludes the potential conversion of debentures.
⁽ⁱⁱⁱ⁾ Leverage ratio is based on the amended and restated Credit Facility effective as of October 3, 2023.
^(iv)Shareholder activity includes common shares purchased under a NCIB, dividends paid and the purchase of treasury shares.

Conference Call and Webcast

Management will hold a conference call and webcast to discuss our financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, tomorrow, Thursday, November 2, 2023, at 7:00 am Mountain Time (9:00 am Eastern Time).

The Q3 2023 earnings presentation for the webcast will be available for download on the company’s website at www.nacg.ca/presentations/

The live presentation and webcast can be accessed at:

https://viavid.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1640181&tp_key=810f9fb3e6

A replay will be available until December 1, 2023, using the link provided.

Basis of Presentation

We have prepared our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("US GAAP"). Unless otherwise specified, all dollar amounts discussed are in Canadian dollars. Please see the Management’s Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, for further detail on the matters discussed in this release. In addition to the MD&A, please reference the dedicated Q3 2023 Results Presentation for more information on our results and projections which can be found on our website under Investors - Presentations.

Forward-Looking Information

The information provided in this release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "should" or similar expressions and include all information provided under the above heading "NACG's Outlook".

The material factors or assumptions used to develop the above forward-looking statements and the risks and uncertainties to which such forward-looking statements are subject, are highlighted in the MD&A for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements because of any number of factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond NACG’s control. Undue reliance should not be placed upon forward-looking statements and NACG undertakes no obligation, other than those required by applicable law, to update or revise those statements. For more complete information about NACG, please read our disclosure documents filed with the SEC and the CSA. These free documents can be obtained by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov or on the CSA website at www.sedar.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release presents certain non-GAAP financial measures because management believes that they may be useful to investors in analyzing our business performance, leverage and liquidity. The non-GAAP financial measures we present include "adjusted EBIT", "adjusted EBITDA", "adjusted EPS", "adjusted net earnings", "cash provided by operating activities prior to change in working capital", "combined gross profit", "equity investment depreciation and amortization", "equity investment EBIT", "free cash flow", "growth capital", "margin", "net debt", "senior debt", "sustaining capital", "total capital liquidity", and "total combined revenue". A non-GAAP financial measure is defined by relevant regulatory authorities as a numerical measure of an issuer's historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flow that is not specified, defined or determined under the issuer’s GAAP and that is not presented in an issuer’s financial statements. These non-GAAP measures do not have any standardized meaning and therefore are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. They should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Each non-GAAP financial measure used in this press release is defined and reconciled to its most directly comparable GAAP measure in the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section of our Management’s Discussion and Analysis filed concurrently with this press release.

Reconciliation of total reported revenue to total combined revenue

⁽ⁱ⁾See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".

Reconciliation of reported gross profit to combined gross profit

⁽ⁱ⁾See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".

Reconciliation of net income to adjusted net earnings, adjusted EBIT, and adjusted EBITDA

⁽ⁱ⁾ See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".

Reconciliation of equity earnings in affiliates and joint ventures to equity investment EBIT

⁽ⁱ⁾See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".

About the Company

North American Construction Group Ltd. is a premier provider of heavy civil construction and mining services in Canada, the U.S. and Australia. For 70 years, NACG has provided services to the mining, resource and infrastructure construction markets.

About MacKellar Group

Established in 1966 based on humble family values MacKellar has earned an enviable reputation in the industry for performance and reliability. MacKellar specializes in heavy earthmoving equipment solutions and has a proud history of working on both mining and civil earthwork projects around Australia.

For further information contact:

Jason Veenstra
Chief Financial Officer
North American Construction Group Ltd.
(780) 960-7171
IR@nacg.ca
www.nacg.ca

Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars)
(Unaudited) 

See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements.

Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations and
Comprehensive Income

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited) 

See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements.