Mayville Engineering Company Announces First Quarter 2024 Results

Mayville Engineering Company (NYSE:MEC) (the "Company" or "MEC"), a leading value-added provider of design, prototyping and manufacturing solutions serving diverse end markets, today announced results for the three-months ended March 31, 2024.

FIRST QUARTER 2024 RESULTS

(All comparisons versus the prior-year period)

• Net sales of $161.3 million, or +13.1% y/y, including organic growth of 3.3% y/y
• Net income of $3.2 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, an increase of 26% y/y, or $0.04 per diluted share
• Non-GAAP Adjusted Diluted EPS of $0.22, an increase of $0.05 y/y
• Adjusted EBITDA of $18.5 million, an increase of 33.8% y/y
• Adjusted EBITDA margin of 11.5%, an increase of 180 bps y/y
• Free Cash Flow of $7.9 million, an increase of $16.4 million y/y
• Ratio of net debt to trailing twelve-month Adjusted EBITDA of slightly below 2.0x as of March 31, 2024

MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY

"We demonstrated solid execution on our strategic priorities during the first quarter, culminating in a strong start to the year for our business," stated Jag Reddy, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our integrated, solutions-based approach continues to resonate with our customers, positioning MEC to drive share gains that support above-market growth. During the first quarter, we generated double-digit sales growth, sustained margin expansion, improved profitability, and generated robust free cash flow as compared to the prior year period."

"At a commercial level, first quarter sales growth was driven by a combination of new contract awards, increased project content, and continued price discipline," continued Reddy. "Operationally, we continued to implement MEC Business Excellence (MBX) driven continuous improvements across the organization resulting in additional cost savings, labor efficiency gains, and working capital improvement. Looking ahead, these and related actions put us on-pace to achieve our 14% - 16% Adjusted EBITDA margin target by 2026."

"With more than 20 facilities across the continental U.S., we see significant opportunities to further optimize plant utilization while delivering improved operating leverage," continued Reddy, "To that end, our Hazel Park facility remains on track to achieve $100 million in run-rate revenues by year-end 2024, supported by new project wins with existing customers across multiple end-markets."

"During the first quarter, we repaid nearly $8.0 million in outstanding debt, resulting in net leverage of just under 2.0x at the end of the period. At the midpoint of our full-year guidance, we expect free cash flow to increase by more than $16 million on a year-over-year basis in 2024. As our business becomes increasingly cash generative, we intend to prioritize debt repayment, returns-focused organic investments, opportunistic open-market share repurchases, together with bolt-on acquisitions that enhance our capabilities, reach and customer value proposition."

"We remain on-track to achieve our full-year 2024 financial guidance, which includes expectations for year-over-year growth in sales, margin realization and free cash flow," continued Reddy. "While the near-term demand outlook remains mixed across our diverse end-markets, MEC continues to outpace the broader market through a combination of continued share gains, value-based pricing and ongoing productivity improvements. With a strong first quarter behind us, we're well positioned to deliver on plan as we move through 2024."

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

Net sales increased by 13.1% on a year-over-year basis in the first quarter 2024, driven in part by the acquisition of Mid-States Aluminum (MSA) in the third quarter of 2023 and increased organic volumes most notably in our powersports end market, showcasing the ability to gain market share in a down market, and our construction & access end market, partially offset by softening demand in our legacy agriculture end market and the foreseen roll-off of certain military aftermarket programs at the end of 2023.

Manufacturing margin was $20.9 million in the first quarter of 2024, or 13.0% of net sales, as compared to $16.4 million, or 11.5% of net sales, in the prior year period. The year-over-year increase in manufacturing margin was driven by the increased organic sales volumes, the MSA acquisition, MBX initiatives and commercial pricing initiatives.

Other selling, general and administrative expenses were $7.8 million in the first quarter of 2024 as compared to $7.0 million for the same prior year period. The increase in these expenses during the first quarter primarily reflects the increase in legal costs associated with litigation against the former fitness customer, incremental costs related to the acquisition of MSA, higher costs related to compliance requirements and annual wage inflation.

Interest expense was $3.4 million in the first quarter of 2024, as compared to $1.7 million in the prior year period, due to higher interest rates and an increase in borrowings. The increase in borrowings relative to the prior year is due to the acquisition of MSA, which closed on July 1, 2023.

Net income for the first quarter of 2024 was $3.2 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, versus $2.6 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, in the prior-year period.

MEC reported Adjusted EBITDA of $18.5 million in the first quarter of 2024, or 11.5% of net sales, versus $13.8 million, or 9.7% of net sales, in the prior-year period. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin, when compared to the prior year, reflects the benefit of the MSA acquisition, continued execution of the Company's MBX strategic initiatives, improved commercial pricing and higher volumes, partially offset by higher SG&A expenses.

First quarter Adjusted net income was $4.6 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, versus $3.5 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, in the prior year period. The increase in adjusted net income reflects an increase in income from operations, which was partially offset by higher interest expense and a higher tax rate.

Free cash flow during the first quarter of 2024 was $7.9 million as compared to ($8.5) million in the prior year period. The increase in free cash flow was primarily attributable to a $16.7 million increase in net cash provided by operating activities because of improved working capital efficiency.

END MARKET UPDATE

Commercial Vehicles

MEC is a Tier 1 supplier to many of the country's top original equipment manufacturers (OEM) of commercial vehicles providing exhaust & aftertreatment, engine components, cooling, fuel and structural systems for both heavy- and medium-duty commercial vehicles.

Net sales to the commercial vehicle market were $59.0 million in the first quarter of 2024, a decrease of 0.3% versus the prior-year period. The decrease in sales was the result of the expected softening end-market demand during the quarter.

Construction & Access

MEC manufactures components and sub-assemblies for the construction & access market including fenders, hoods, supports, frames, platforms, frame structures, doors and tubular products such as exhaust & aftertreatment, engine components, cooling system components, handrails and full electro-mechanical assemblies.

Net sales to the construction & access market were $28.4 million in the first quarter of 2024, an increase of 7.3% versus the prior-year period. The increase in sales was primarily due to increased demand and new project wins associated with strong end-market demand from infrastructure related projects.

Powersports

MEC manufactures stampings and complex metal assemblies and coatings for marine propulsion, all-terrain vehicles (ATV), multi-utility vehicles (MUV) and motorcycle markets. MEC's powersports expertise includes axle housings, steering columns, swing arms, fenders, suspension components, ATV/MUV racks, cowl assemblies and vehicle frames.

Net sales to the powersports market were $30.3 million in the first quarter of 2024, an increase of 25.7% versus the prior-year period. The increase in sales was the result of higher volumes from new project wins and share gains from both new and existing customers.

Agriculture

MEC is an integral partner in the supply chain of the world's leading agriculture OEMs manufacturing components and sub-assemblies including fenders, hoods, supports, frames, platforms, frame structures, doors, and tubular products such as exhaust, engine components, cooling system components, handrails and full electro-mechanical assemblies.

Net sales to the agriculture market were $15.0 million in the first quarter of 2024, an increase of 3.5% versus the prior-year period. The increase in sales was mostly driven by the MSA acquisition, which was offset by expected demand softness in our large-ag and turf markets.

Military

MEC holds the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) certification and produces components for the United States military. Products include exhaust, engine components, cooling, fuel, suspension, structural systems, and chemical agent resistant coating (CARC) painting capabilities.

Net sales to the military market were $8.0 million in the first quarter of 2024, a decrease of 7.2% versus the prior-year period. The decrease in net sales compared to the prior year was primarily attributable to the expected roll-off of certain aftermarket programs at the end of 2023.

Other

MEC also produces a wide variety of components and assemblies for customers in the power generation, industrial equipment & fixtures, consumer tools, mining, forestry, automotive, and medical markets.

Net sales to other end markets for the first quarter of 2024 were $20.7 million, an increase of 109.5% year-over-year. The increase is primarily attributable to MSA-related contributions, which was acquired on July 1, 2023.

STRATEGIC UPDATE

During the first quarter, MEC continued the rigorous implementation of its MEC Business Excellence (MBX) initiative, a value-creation framework designed to drive sustained operational and commercial excellence execution across all aspects of the organization. Upon full implementation, MEC expects to drive total net sales of between $750 to $850 million, Adjusted EBITDA margin expansion to between 14% to 16% and free cash flow of between $65 to $75 million by year-end 2026.

• Drive a High-Performance Culture. The Company is focused on effectuating cultural change across the organization by implementing performance-based metrics, lean daily management and other process-oriented strategies. Through these efforts, the Company is building a high-performance culture capable of driving improved performance, asset utilization and cost optimization. During the first quarter, the Company continued the implementation and alignment of processes and best practices across the enterprise to drive strategic execution. Additionally, the Company launched an employee recognition program aimed at further fostering our high-performance culture. This peer recognition initiative allows employees to nominate peers who consistently embody the Company values and uphold the Company culture through their daily interactions and exceptional performance.
• Drive Operational Excellence. The Company is focused on leveraging technologies and capabilities to increase productivity and reduce costs across the value chain. The Company intends to achieve this objective through the implementation of lean initiatives such as value stream mapping, sales, inventory, and operations planning (SIOP), and further optimization of its supply chain and procurement strategies. The Company's operational excellence initiatives also focus on improving fixed cost absorption, labor productivity and inventory efficiency by leveraging its recent investments in advanced manufacturing capabilities and automation. As of the end of the first quarter of 2024, the Company had held over 30 MBX kaizen events which contributed to improved margins and inventory optimization. Year-over-year, the Company recognized $1.6 million of savings related to sourcing optimization and improved labor utilizations. The Company also realized a significant year-over-year improvement in working capital efficiencies due to improvements in days sales outstanding and inventory days-on-hand. Additionally, the Company recognized $0.8 million, net of inflation, in year-over-year pricing improvements as a result of its on-going commercial pricing initiatives.
• Drive Commercial Expansion. The Company is focused on driving commercial growth through an integrated, solutions-oriented approach that leverages its full suite of design, prototyping, and aftermarket services; an expansion of its fabrication capabilities beyond steel, with an emphasis on lightweight aluminum, plastics and composites; diversification within high-growth energy transition markets; further market penetration within existing end markets; and the implementation of value-based pricing. During the third quarter of 2023, the Company closed the acquisition of MSA, which positions MEC to capitalize on revenue synergies within its existing legacy customer base and is now positioned to grow organically by pursuing demand for light-weight aluminum products in high-growth energy transition and fleet electrification applications. During the first quarter of 2024, MEC made substantial progress in growing its share of wallet with existing customers with multiple multi-year contract wins with major customers in the military, commercial vehicle, powersports and other end-markets.
• Drive Human Resource Optimization. The Company remains focused on the recruitment and retention of skilled, experienced employees to support the growth of its business. This component of the MBX value creation framework is designed to provide competitive, performance-based incentives; develop high-potential candidates for internal development and advancement; ensure business continuity through multi-tiered succession planning; and to ensure a stable recruiting pipeline. As part of this effort, the Company completed the relocation of its corporate headquarters to Milwaukee during the first quarter.

BALANCE SHEET UPDATE

As of March 31, 2024, MEC had net debt outstanding of $142.8 million and total cash and availability on its senior secured revolving credit facility of $250.0¹ million. During the first quarter of 2024, the Company repaid $7.9 million of debt incurred in conjunction with the MSA acquisition. At the end of the first quarter, the ratio of net debt to trailing twelve-month Adjusted EBITDA was slightly below 2.0x.

FINANCIAL GUIDANCE

Today, the Company reaffirmed its financial guidance for the full year 2024. All guidance is current as of the time provided and is subject to change.

The Company's 2024 guidance reflects the expected softening in end market demand as the result of various macroeconomic factors, which the Company expects will be offset by the continued ramp-up of new project work with both new and existing customers. The Company's 2024 financial guidance also reflects incremental contribution from the MSA acquisition, including $20 to $30 million of incremental net sales and $4 to $6 million of incremental Adjusted EBITDA.

The Company's 2024 financial guidance reflects incremental contributions from MBX and commercial pricing related initiatives of $3 to $6 million. The impact of these initiatives is net of normal annual cost inflation, representing the Company's ability to improve efficiency and manage pricing, given higher labor and input costs.

The Company's 2024 Free Cash Flow guidance reflects improved working capital utilization relative to 2023 and capital expenditures of between $15 and $20 million.

FIRST QUARTER 2024 RESULTS CONFERENCE CALL

The Company will host a conference call on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (9:00 a.m. Central Time).

For a live webcast of the conference call and to access the accompanying investor presentation, please visit www.mecinc.com and click on the link to the live webcast on the Investors page.

For telephone access to the conference, call (833) 470-1428 within the United States, or call (833) 950-0062 within Canada and please use the Access Code: 605388.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press-release includes forward-looking statements that reflect plans, estimates and beliefs. Such statements involve risk and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: macroeconomic conditions, including inflation, elevated interest rates and recessionary concerns, as well as continuing supply chain constraints affecting some of our customers, labor availability and material cost pressures, have had, and may continue to have, a negative impact on our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations (including future uncertain impacts); risks relating to developments in the industries in which our customers operate; risks related to scheduling production accurately and maximizing efficiency; our ability to realize net sales represented by our awarded business; failure to compete successfully in our markets; our ability to maintain our manufacturing, engineering and technological expertise; the loss of any of our large customers or the loss of their respective market shares; risks related to entering new markets; our ability to recruit and retain our key executive officers, managers and trade-skilled personnel; volatility in the prices or availability of raw materials critical to our business; manufacturing risks, including delays and technical problems, issues with third-party suppliers, environmental risks and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements; our ability to successfully identify or integrate acquisitions; our ability to develop new and innovative processes and gain customer acceptance of such processes; risks related to our information technology systems and infrastructure, including cybersecurity risks and data leakage risks; geopolitical and economic developments, including foreign trade relations and associated tariffs; results of legal disputes, including product liability, intellectual property infringement and other claims; risks associated with our capital-intensive industry; risks related to our treatment as an S Corporation prior to the consummation of our initial public offering; risks related to our employee stock ownership plan's treatment as a tax-qualified retirement plan; and other factors described in "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as such may be amended or supplemented in our subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company's previously filed Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date on which any such statement is made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by federal securities laws.

ABOUT MAYVILLE ENGINEERING COMPANY

Founded in 1945, MEC is a leading U.S.-based, vertically-integrated, value-added manufacturing partner providing a full suite of manufacturing solutions from concept to production, including design, prototyping and tooling, fabrication, aluminum extrusion, coating, assembly and aftermarket components. Our customers operate in diverse end markets, including heavy- and medium-duty commercial vehicles, construction & access equipment, powersports, agriculture, military and other end markets. Along with process engineering and development services, MEC maintains an extensive manufacturing infrastructure with 23 facilities across seven states. These facilities make it possible to offer conventional and CNC (computer numerical control) stamping, shearing, fiber laser cutting, forming, drilling, tapping, grinding, tube bending, machining, welding, assembly, and logistic services. MEC also possesses a broad range of finishing capabilities including shot blasting, e-coating, powder coating, wet spray and military grade chemical agent resistant coating (CARC) painting. For more information, please visit www.mecinc.com.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

This press release contains financial information calculated in a manner other than in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP").

The non-GAAP measures used in this press release are EBITDA, EBITDA Margin, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Adjusted Net Income and Diluted EPS, and Free Cash Flow.

EBITDA represents net income before interest expense, provision for income taxes, depreciation, and amortization. EBITDA Margin represents EBITDA as a percentage of net sales for each period. Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA before stock-based compensation expense and legal costs due to the former fitness customer. Adjusted EBITDA Margin represents Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales for each period. Adjusted Net Income and Diluted EPS represent net income before the aforementioned Adjusted EBITDA addback items which do not reflect our core operating performance. Free Cash Flow represents net cash provided by, or used in, operating activities, less cash flows used in the purchase of property, plant and equipment. We present Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Adjusted Net Income and Diluted EPS, and Free Cash Flow as management uses these measures as key performance indicators, and we believe they are measures frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other parties to evaluate companies in our industry. These metrics are supplemental measures of our operating performance that are neither required by, nor presented in accordance with, GAAP. These measures should not be considered as an alternative to net income or cash flow provided by, or used in, operating activities, or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of our operating performance. These measures may not be comparable to the similarly named measures reported by other companies and have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP.

Please reference our reconciliation of net income, the most directly comparable measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, to EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Diluted EPS, Free Cash Flow and the calculation of EBITDA Margin and Adjusted EBITDA Margin included in this press release.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240507772276/en/