Manitex International Reports Third Quarter 2023 Results

Manitex International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MNTX) ("Manitex" or the "Company"), a leading international provider of truck cranes, specialized industrial equipment, and construction equipment rental solutions to infrastructure and construction markets, today reported financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2023.

THIRD QUARTER 2023 RESULTS

(all comparisons versus the prior year period unless otherwise noted)

• Net revenue of $71.3 million, +9.7%
• Gross profit of $16.6 million +34.4%; gross margin of 23.3%, +427 basis points
• GAAP Net Income of $1.7 million; Adjusted Net Income of $2.9 million, or $0.14 per diluted share
• Adjusted EBITDA of $8.5 million, +61.7%; Adjusted EBITDA margin of 11.9%, +381 basis points
• TTM Adjusted EBITDA now 10.2%
• Backlog of $196.9 million, -4.9%
• Net leverage of 2.9X, down from 3.9X at December 31, 2022; total liquidity of $29 million
• Increasing full year guidance

MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY

“Our strong third quarter results demonstrate continued progress on our multi-year business transformation strategy,” stated Michael Coffey, CEO of Manitex. “Revenue, margin realization and Adjusted EBITDA increased materially versus the prior year, while net leverage declined for the fifth consecutive quarter, consistent with our focus on balance sheet optimization.

“Earlier this year we introduced our new strategy, Elevating Excellence, promising targeted commercial growth, improved production output and higher margins,” continued Coffey. “Driven by the extraordinary efforts of our manufacturing team, third quarter revenue increased 10% on an organic basis versus the prior year period. Lifting equipment revenue, when adjusting for year-over-year chassis sale reductions, improved 21% in the quarter. I am very proud of the team and their diligence.”

“The early benefits of our initiatives have meaningfully exceeded expectations, resulting in significant margin expansion and improved profitability for the organization,” continued Coffey. “Third quarter gross margin increased 427 basis points on a year-over-year basis to 23.3%, or more than 200 basis points higher than any quarter we’ve reported in more than five years. We are pleased with the improved margins and see further opportunities in the future.”

“Adjusted EBITDA margin was 11.9% in the third quarter, up nearly 400 basis points from the prior year,” continued Coffey. “Adjusted EBITDA grew 60% in the period. Trailing twelve-month EBITDA margins are now 10.2%, achieving short term goal we set for 2023. We are well positioned and on track to achieve our mid-term goals ahead of schedule.”

“Last quarter we indicated that backlog would begin to decline from historically high levels,” continued Coffey. “The decline is driven by higher production levels, seasonal customer order timing, and modest order intake declines in Western Europe. Our total backlog at quarter end was $197 million and remains 3-times pre-pandemic levels. Year-to-date book-to-build ratios are also strong as is customer sentiment. Given favorable underlying demand within core infrastructure, energy and mining markets, we remain confident that Manitex will continue to deliver the above-market growth outlined in our multi-year plan.”

“Our net debt to trailing twelve-month adjusted EBITDA declined to 2.9x at the end of the third quarter, below our 2023 target of 3.0x,” stated Joseph Doolan, Chief Financial Officer of Manitex. “Throughout 2023, we maintained high levels of working capital, slowing our debt reduction plans. We remain highly focused on further improving working capital efficiency over the coming quarters. Our total liquidity of nearly $29 million, which includes total cash and availability under our credit facilities, provides us with ample financial flexibility to support our organic growth initiatives into 2024.”

“At Manitex, we’re building a highly efficient equipment solutions platform equipped to drive sustained, profitable growth through the cycle,” stated Coffey. “Our third quarter results highlight both the measurable progress we’ve made on our internal initiatives in a relatively short period of time, while signaling the significant growth potential evident within our business. Based on our strong third quarter results and the continued momentum in our business, we are pleased to be raising our full-year 2023 guidance and remain on-track to achieve our 2025 financial targets detailed in our Elevating Excellence strategy.”

THIRD QUARTER 2023 PERFORMANCE

Manitex reported net revenue of $71.3 million in the third quarter 2023, an increase of 9.7% versus the prior-year period, driven by growth in the lifting segment. Revenue growth was negatively impacted by $4.0 million, or approximately 6%, due to lower truck chassis sales, which are largely pass-through revenue items. The Company continues to expect lower chassis sales to be a headwind to reported sales growth and a benefit to reported gross margin in 2023.

Lifting Equipment Segment revenue was $63.7 million in the third quarter 2023, an increase of 11%, versus the prior-year period, or an increase of 21% when excluding the impact of truck chassis sales in the quarter. The sales growth is a direct result of improvements in manufacturing throughput, as well as favorable demand trends in both domestic and international markets. In North America, strong project activity from energy and infrastructure markets continues to drive robust activity levels, while international markets are benefitting from infrastructure projects in Europe and continued strength from mining activity in South America.

Rental Equipment Segment revenue was $7.6 million in the third quarter 2023, supported by strong end-market demand in key North Texas markets, including contribution from the Lubbock, Texas location that opened in March 2023. The Rabern business benefitted from the deployment of new rental fleet acquired in 2022, pricing gains, and our expansion into the Lubbock market.

Total gross profit was $16.6 million in the third quarter, an increase from $12.3 million in the prior-year period due to revenue growth, operational improvement initiatives, improved pricing realization and sales mix. As a result of these factors, gross profit margin increased 427 basis points to 23.3% during the third quarter 2023. The higher US-based steel prices that were a headwind during the second quarter were less of a factor during the third quarter, as the Company has successfully implemented product surcharges in an effort to offset the rising price of steel.

SG&A expense was $10.5 million for the third quarter, compared to $10.4 million for the comparable period last year. R&D costs of $0.9 million were up modestly from $0.7 million last year.

Operating income was $5.2 million for the third quarter 2023, compared to $1.2 million for the same period last year. Third quarter operating margin was 7.3%, an improvement from 1.9% in the prior year period. The year-over-year improvement in operating income was driven by the strong operating performance and disciplined cost control.

The Company delivered GAAP Net Income of $1.7 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, for the third quarter 2023, compared to a net loss of ($3.4) million, or ($0.17) per diluted share, for the same period last year.

Adjusted EBITDA was $8.5 million for the third quarter 2023, or 11.9% of sales, compared to $5.2 million, or 8.0% of sales, for the same period last year. See Non-GAAP reconciliations in the appendix of this release.

As of September 30, 2023, total backlog was $196.9 million, down 4.9% from the end of the third quarter 2022, driven by the increased production velocity.

BALANCE SHEET AND LIQUIDITY

As of September 30, 2023, total debt was $91.3 million. Cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2023, were $4.9 million, resulting in net debt of $86.4 million, an improvement of $1.4 million for the quarter. Net leverage was 2.9x at the end of third quarter 2023, down from 3.9x at the end of fourth quarter 2022. As of September 30, 2023, Manitex had total cash and availability of approximately $29 million.

FINANCIAL OUTLOOK

Based on the better than expected third quarter results and continued momentum in the business, the Company increased financial guidance for the full-year 2023. The increased financial targets reflect the underlying strength of the Company’s end markets, market share gains, and margin improvements driven by operational benefits from the Elevating Excellence initiatives. The Company’s updated financial targets are detailed in the following table.

($ in millions)

	Full-Year		Full-Year
	2022 Actual		2023
Total Revenue	$273.9		$285 to $290
Total Adjusted EBITDA	$21.3		$28 to $30
Total Adjusted EBITDA Margin	7.8%		9.7% to 10.5%

These targets are current as of the time provided and subject to change, given markets conditions.

THIRD QUARTER 2023 RESULTS CONFERENCE CALL

Manitex will host a conference call today at 9:00 AM ET to discuss the Company’s third quarter 2023 results and updated corporate strategy.

A webcast of the conference call and accompanying presentation materials will be available in the Investor Relations section of the Manitex website at https://www.manitexinternational.com/eventspresentations.aspx, and a replay of the webcast will be available at the same time shortly after the webcast is complete.

To participate in the live teleconference:

Domestic Live:		[phone]
International Live:		[phone]

To listen to a replay of the teleconference, which will be available through August 17, 2023:

Domestic Replay:		[phone]
International Replay:		[phone]
Passcode:		10022684

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES AND OTHER ITEMS

In this press release, we refer to various non-GAAP (U.S. generally accepted accounting principles) financial measures which management uses to evaluate operating performance, to establish internal budgets and targets, and to compare the Company's financial performance against such budgets and targets. These non-GAAP measures, as defined by the Company, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures being disclosed by other companies. While adjusted financial measures are not intended to replace any presentation included in our consolidated financial statements under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and should not be considered an alternative to operating performance or an alternative to cash flow as a measure of liquidity, we believe these measures are useful to investors in assessing our operating results, capital expenditures and working capital requirements and the ongoing performance of its underlying businesses. A reconciliation of Adjusted GAAP financial measures is included with this press release. All per share amounts are on a fully diluted basis. The quarterly amounts described below are unaudited, are reported in thousands of U.S. dollars, and are as of the dates indicated.

ABOUT MANITEX INTERNATIONAL

Manitex International is a leading provider of mobile truck cranes, industrial lifting solutions, aerial work platforms, construction equipment and rental solutions that serve general construction, crane companies, and heavy industry. The company engineers and manufactures its products in North America and Europe, distributing through independent dealers worldwide. Our brands include Manitex, PM, Oil & Steel, Valla, and Rabern Rentals.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Safe Harbor Statement under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release contains statements that are forward-looking in nature which express the beliefs and expectations of management including statements regarding the Company's expected results of operations or liquidity; statements concerning projections, predictions, expectations, estimates or forecasts as to our business, financial and operational results and future economic performance; and statements of management's goals and objectives and other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "anticipate," "estimate," "plan," "project," "continuing," "ongoing," "expect," "we believe," "we intend," "may," "will," "should," "could," and similar expressions. Such statements are based on current plans, estimates and expectations and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company's future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors and additional information are discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and statements in this release should be evaluated in light of these important factors. Although we believe that these statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, we cannot guarantee future results. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

MANITEX INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except share and per share data) (Unaudited)
		September 30, 2023				December 31, 2022
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash		$	4,673			$	7,973
Cash – restricted			203				217
Trade receivables (net)			47,114				43,856
Other receivables			1,059				1,750
Inventory (net)			85,186				69,801
Prepaid expense and other current assets			2,748				3,907
Total current assets			140,983				127,504
Total fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation of $28,382 and $22,441 at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively			48,747				51,697
Operating lease assets			7,498				5,667
Intangible assets (net)			12,769				14,367
Goodwill			36,674				36,916
Deferred tax assets			452				452
Total assets		$	247,123			$	236,603
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable		$	50,665			$	45,682
Accrued expenses			13,780				12,379
Related party payables (net)			13				60
Notes payable			18,640				22,666
Current portion of finance lease obligations			579				509
Current portion of operating lease obligations			1,998				1,758
Customer deposits			2,220				3,407
Total current liabilities			87,895				86,461
Long-term liabilities
Revolving term credit facilities (net)			48,259				41,479
Notes payable (net)			20,857				22,261
Finance lease obligations (net of current portion)			2,940				3,382
Operating lease obligations (net of current portion)			5,500				3,909
Deferred gain on sale of property			367				427
Deferred tax liability			4,574				5,151
Other long-term liabilities			5,057				5,572
Total long-term liabilities			87,554				82,181
Total liabilities			175,449				168,642
Commitments and contingencies
Equity
Preferred Stock—Authorized 150,000 shares, no shares issued or outstanding at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022			—				—
Common Stock—no par value 25,000,000 shares authorized, 20,252,114 and 20,107,014 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively			134,294				133,289
Paid-in capital			5,014				4,266
Retained deficit			(71,182	)			(73,338	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(6,261	)			(5,822	)
Equity attributable to shareholders of Manitex International			61,865				58,395
Equity attributed to noncontrolling interest			9,809				9,566
Total equity			71,674				67,961
Total liabilities and equity		$	247,123			$	236,603

MANITEX INTERNATIONAL, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except for share and per share amounts) (Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended September 30,									Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2023				2022					2023				2022
Net revenues		$	71,331			$	65,037				$	212,736			$	195,034
Cost of sales			54,746				52,693					166,806				160,198
Gross profit			16,585				12,344					45,930				34,836
Operating expenses
Research and development costs		$	861			$	659					2,512				2,095
Selling, general and administrative expenses			10,545				10,440					32,342				30,317
Transaction costs			-				37					-				2,236
Total operating expenses			11,406				11,136					34,854				34,648
Operating income (loss)			5,179				1,208					11,076				188
Other income (expense)
Interest expense			(1,997	)			(1,409	)				(5,658	)			(2,982	)
Interest income			141				-					141				3
Foreign currency transaction gain (loss)			(883	)			175					(1,656	)			268
Other income (expense)			196				(2,852	)				(541	)			(1,864	)
Total other expense			(2,543	)			(4,086	)				(7,714	)			(4,575	)
Income (loss) before income taxes			2,636				(2,878	)				3,362				(4,387	)
Income tax expense (benefit)			742				206					962				570
Net income (loss)			1,894				(3,084	)				2,400				(4,957	)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest			194				288					243				442
Net income (loss) attributable to shareholders of Manitex International, Inc.		$	1,700			$	(3,372	)			$	2,157			$	(5,399	)
Income (loss) per share
Basic		$	0.08			$	(0.17	)			$	0.11			$	(0.27	)
Diluted		$	0.08			$	(0.17	)			$	0.11			$	(0.27	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic			20,252,114				20,094,475					20,193,696				20,039,981
Diluted			20,254,830				20,094,475					20,196,255				20,039,981

Net Sales and Gross Margin
	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2023									June 30, 2023								September 30, 2022
	As Reported					As Adjusted				As Reported				As Adjusted				As Reported				As Adjusted
Net sales	$		71,331			$	71,331			$	73,534			$	73,534			$	65,037			$	65,037
% change Vs Q2 2023			(3.0	%)			(3.0	%)
% change Vs Q3 2022			9.7	%			9.7	%
Gross margin			16,585				16,585				14,935				14,935				12,344				12,354
Gross margin % of net sales			23.3	%			23.3	%			20.3	%			20.3	%			19.0	%			19.0	%

Backlog		Sept 30, 2023	June 30, 2023		Mar 31, 2023		Dec 31, 2022		Sept 30, 2022
Backlog from continuing operations		196,872	223,236		238,096		230,206		207,032
Change Versus Current Period			(11.8	%)	(17.3	%)	(14.5	%)	(4.9	%)

Backlog is defined as orders for equipment which have not yet shipped as well as orders by foreign subsidiaries for international deliveries. The disclosure of backlog aids in the analysis the Company's customers' demand for product, as well as the ability of the Company to meet that demand.

Backlog is not necessarily indicative of sales to be recognized in a specified future period.

Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Shareholders of Manitex International, Inc. to Adjusted Net Income
	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2023			June 30, 2023			September 30, 2022
Net income (loss) attributable to shareholders of Manitex International, Inc.	$	1,700		$	404		$	(3,372	)
Adjustments, including net tax impact		1,222			1,307			4,077
Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to shareholders of Manitex International, Inc.	$	2,922		$	1,711		$	705
Weighted diluted shares outstanding		20,254,830			20,209,959			20,094,475
Diluted earnings (loss) per share as reported	$	0.08		$	0.02		$	(0.17	)
Total EPS effect	$	0.06		$	0.06		$	0.21
Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	0.14		$	0.08		$	0.04

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA
	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2023				June 30, 2023				September 30, 2022
Net Income (loss)	$	1,894			$	532			$	(3,084	)
Interest expense		1,856				1,896				1,409
Tax expense		742				207				206
Depreciation and amortization expense		2,739				2,869				2,614
EBITDA	$	7,231			$	5,504			$	1,145
Adjustments:
Stock compensation	$	457			$	588			$	749
FX		883				718				(175	)
Pension settlement		(118	)			-				-
Litigation / legal settlement		-				-				3,171
Severance / restructuring costs		-				-				294
Rabern transaction costs		-				-				37
Other		-				-				5
Total Adjustments	$	1,222			$	1,306			$	4,081
Adjusted EBITDA	$	8,453			$	6,810			$	5,226
Adjusted EBITDA as % of sales		11.9	%			9.3	%			8.0	%

Net Debt
	September 30, 2023			June 30, 2023			September 30, 2022
Total cash & cash equivalents	$	4,876		$	7,302		$	11,865
Notes payable - short term	$	18,640		$	23,857		$	16,486
Current portion of finance leases		579			555			487
Notes payable - long term		20,857			21,585			23,829
Finance lease obligations - LT		2,940			3,093			3,518
Revolver, net		48,259			45,982			53,152
Total debt	$	91,275		$	95,072		$	97,472
Net debt	$	86,399		$	87,770		$	85,607

Net debt is calculated using the Consolidated Balance Sheet amounts for current and long-term portion of long-term debt, capital lease obligations, notes payable, and revolving credit facilities minus cash and cash equivalents.

 

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The Manitex International Stock at the time of publication of the news with a fall of -1,03 % to 3,83EUR on Lang & Schwarz stock exchange (02. November 2023, 11:04 Uhr).