ACHESON, Alberta, March 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- North American Construction Group Ltd. ("NACG") (TSX:NOA, NYSE:NOA) today announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2023. Unless otherwise indicated, figures are expressed in Canadian dollars with comparisons to prior periods ended December 31, 2022.

Fourth Quarter 2023 Highlights:

Closure of the MacKellar Group ("MacKellar") acquisition on October 1, 2023, a seamless change in control, and three months of strong equipment utilization provided a full quarter of operating results in Australia, and a step change in geographic diversification.
The allocated purchase price of MacKellar was $369.7 million, net of cash acquired, along with growth capital spending of $35.9 million incurred in the quarter was fully funded with senior and vendor-provided debt and establishes a strong platform for opportunities in Australia.
Combined revenue of $403.4 million is a company quarterly record based on the transformative acquisition of MacKellar. Revenue of $326.3 million, compared to $233.4 million in the same period last year, includes this step-change increase along with steady and consistent operations in the Fort McMurray region.
Our net share of revenue from equity consolidated joint ventures was $77.1 million, compared to $86.7 million in the same period last year. Quarter-over-quarter increases at the Fargo-Moorhead project were offset by the successful 2023 Q3 completion of the construction project at the gold mine in Northern Ontario.
Adjusted EBITDA of $101.1 million, also a company record, and EBITDA margin of 25.1% compared to the prior period metrics of $85.9 million and 26.8%, respectively. Margins were impacted by project losses posted by the Nuna Group of Companies; restructuring efforts are well underway to resolve temporary challenges.
Cash flows generated from operating activities of $160.9 million in the quarter, compared to $78.1 million in the prior year quarter, resulting from higher earnings and changes in working capital balances when comparing to the same period in the prior year.
Free cash flow ("FCF") of $110.6 million in the quarter was the result of strong revenues, steady and consistent margins, modest capital spending, and positive changes in working capital balances.
Net debt was $720.9 million at December 31, 2023, an increase of $325.6 million from September 30, 2023, resulting from the debt-funded purchase price and growth spending in Australia offset by free cash flow directed to debt reduction during the quarter.

NACG President and CEO, Joseph Lambert, commented: "The acquisition of the MacKellar Group is a milestone moment for our company and I'd like to thank all the employees for the hard work that has been put in to make these first few months in Australia such a success. In both Queensland and Western Australia, we are excited by the many prospects we have in front of us and look forward to sharing best practices and in-house maintenance expertise, as well as equipment where appropriate, to facilitate these growth opportunities.

As we've geographically diversified, I continue to closely monitor our various regions. In North Dakota and based on a recent trip there, construction at Fargo-Moorhead is progressing well into this most important period for the project. In northern Canada, we are undergoing a restructuring initiative within the Nuna Group of Companies which will return it to its legacy of operational excellence. In Fort McMurray, our fleet continues to operate day-in day-out as we work with our customers in their goal to achieve low-cost operations in the oil sands region. 2024 will be a busy year for us and we are looking forward to executing and delivering another record year."

Consolidated Financial Highlights

	Three months ended						Year ended
	December 31,						December 31,
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)		2023			2022			2023			2022
Revenue	$	326,298		$	233,417		$	957,220		$	769,539
Cost of sales		218,853			154,967			671,684			548,723
Depreciation		41,990			35,860			131,319			119,268
Gross profit	$	65,455		$	42,590		$	154,217		$	101,548
Gross profit margin		20.1	%		18.2	%		16.1	%		13.2	%
General and administrative expenses (excluding stock-based compensation)⁽ⁱ⁾		18,702			6,648			41,016			25,075
Stock-based compensation expense		(496	)		4,910			15,828			4,780
Operating income		45,779			31,565			95,714			71,157
Interest expense, net		14,007			7,774			36,948			24,543
Net income		17,646			26,081			63,141			67,372

Adjusted EBITDA⁽ⁱ⁾		101,136			85,875			296,963			245,352
Adjusted EBITDA margin^(i)(ii)		25.1	%		26.8	%		23.3	%		23.3	%

Per share information
Basic net income per share	$	0.66		$	0.99		$	2.38		$	2.46
Diluted net income per share	$	0.58		$	0.84		$	2.09		$	2.15
Adjusted EPS⁽ⁱ⁾	$	0.87		$	1.10		$	2.83		$	2.41

⁽ⁱ⁾See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".

⁽ⁱⁱ⁾Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated using adjusted EBITDA over total combined revenue.

	Three months ended						Year ended
	December 31,						December 31,
(dollars in thousands)		2023			2022			2023			2022
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Cash provided by operating activities	$	160,870		$	78,099		$	270,391		$	169,201
Cash used in investing activities		(137,756	)		(17,524	)		(244,879	)		(97,469	)
Effect of exchange rate on changes in cash		3,167			(94	)		1,705			304
Add back of growth and non-cash items included in the above figures:
Acquisition of MacKellar⁽ⁱ⁾		51,671			—			51,671			—
Acquisition costs		5,934			—			7,095			—
Growth capital additions⁽ⁱⁱ⁾		35,941			—			40,416			—
Acquisition of ML Northern⁽ⁱⁱⁱ⁾		—			7,207			—			7,207
Non-cash changes in fair value of contingent consideration		(8,268	)		—			(8,268	)		—
Capital additions financed by leases⁽ⁱⁱ⁾		(931	)		(236	)		(28,159	)		(8,931	)
Free cash flow⁽ⁱ⁾	$	110,628		$	67,452		$	89,972		$	70,312

⁽ⁱ⁾See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".

Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2023

Combined revenue of $403.4 million, compared to $320.1 million in the same period last year, and revenue from wholly-owned entities was $326.3 million, up from $233.4 million in the same period last year. The majority of the quarter-over-quarter increase in revenue was driven by the October 2023 acquisition of MacKellar. MacKellar generated a full quarter of revenue totaling $122.5 million. Aside from MacKellar, revenue was down over the same period in 2022 as a result of changes in timing of reclamation projects beginning later than the previous year and certain construction scopes concluding earlier in 2023, relative to the same period in 2022.

Combined gross profit margin of 18.4% was up from 17.8% in the prior year. The improvement in combined gross profit in the current period was driven by the acquisition of MacKellar. MacKellar generated gross profit of 23.7% in the quarter.

General and administrative expenses (excluding stock-based compensation expense) were $18.7 million, or 5.7% of revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2023, up from $6.6 million, or 2.8% of revenue in the same period last year. General and administrative expenses in the quarter include one-time costs of $5.9 million related to the acquisition of MacKellar. MacKellar's administrative cost profile is similar to the Canadian and U.S. operations.

Cash related interest expense of $13.2 million represents an average cost of debt of 8.8% (compared to $7.5 million and 7.1%, respectively, for the three months ended December 31, 2022). The increase in interest expense is primarily attributed to the higher balance on the Credit Facility and increases in the variable rate.

Net income of $17.6 million in Q4 2023 compared to $26.1 million in the same period last year as higher gross profit was more than offset by increased interest expense, increased general and administrative expenses from the one-time acquisition costs, and lower equity earnings from our joint ventures.

Free cash flow in the quarter was $110.6 million driven primarily by adjusted EBITDA of $101.1 million less sustaining capital spending of $40.8 million and cash interest paid of $13.2 million.

Liquidity

Including equipment financing availability and factoring in the amended Credit Facility agreement, total available capital liquidity of $292.6 million includes total liquidity of $217.9 million, $60.1 million of unused finance lease borrowing availability, and $14.6 million of unused other borrowing availability as at December 31, 2023. Liquidity is primarily provided by the terms of our $478.0 million credit facility which allows for funds availability based on a trailing twelve-month EBITDA as defined in the agreement, and is now scheduled to expire in October 2026.

Business Updates

Strategic Focus Areas for 2024

Safety - now on a global basis, maintain our uncompromising commitment to health and safety while elevating the standard of excellence in the field;
Execution - enhance equipment availability in Canada and Australia through in-house fleet maintenance, reliability programs, technical improvements, and management systems;
Operational excellence - with a specific focus on Nuna Group of Companies, put into action practical and experienced-based protocols to ensure predictable high-quality project execution;
Integration - implement ERP and best practices at MacKellar, including identification of opportunities to better utilize our capital and equipment in Australia;
Diversification - pursue diversification of customers and resources through strategic partnerships, industry expertise and investment in Indigenous joint ventures; and
Sustainability - further develop and deliver into our environmental, social, and governance targets as disclosed and committed to in our annual reporting.

Outlook for 2024

The following table provides projected key measures for 2024 and actual results of 2023 and 2022. The measures for 2024 are predicated on contracts currently in place, including expected renewals and the heavy equipment fleet that we own and operate.

Key measures	2022 Actual	2023 Actual	2024 Outlook
Combined revenue	$1.1B	$1.3B	$1.5 - $1.7B
Adjusted EBITDA⁽ⁱ⁾	$245M	$297M	$430 - $470M
Sustaining capital⁽ⁱ⁾	$113M	$169M	$170 - $190M
Adjusted EPS⁽ⁱ⁾	$2.41	$2.83	$4.25 - $4.75
Free cash flow⁽ⁱ⁾	$70M	$90M	$160 - $185M

Capital allocation
Growth spending	$13M	$40M	$55 - $70M
Net debt leverage⁽ⁱ⁾	1.5x	1.7x	Targeting 1.5x

⁽ⁱ⁾See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".

⁽ⁱⁱ⁾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 three months and year ended December 31, 2023, tomorrow, Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 9:00 am Eastern Time (7:00 am Mountain Time).

The call can be accessed by dialing:

Toll free: 1-888-886-7786

Conference ID: 29416987

A replay will be available through April 12, 2024, by dialing:

Toll Free: 1-877-674-7070

Conference ID: 29416987

Playback Passcode: 416987

A slide deck for the webcast will be available for download the evening prior to the call and will be found on the company's website at www.nacg.ca/presentations/

The live presentation and webcast can be accessed at:

https://onlinexperiences.com/scripts/Server.nxp?LASCmd=AI:4;F:QS!10100&ShowUUID=E7B12076-0168-45B4-8211-E024A0E31C5D

A replay will be available until April 12, 2024, 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 three months and year ended December 31, 2023, for further detail on the matters discussed in this release. In addition to the MD&A, please reference the dedicated Q4 2023 Results Presentation for more information on our results and projections which can be found on our website under Investors - Presentations.

Change in significant accounting policy - Basis of presentation

During the first quarter of 2023, the Company updated the presentation of finance lease obligations within the Consolidated Balance Sheets to be included in long-term debt. Within the long-term debt note, finance lease obligations, financing obligations, and promissory notes have been combined as equipment financing. Finance lease obligations are the finance lease liabilities recognized in accordance with the Company's lease policy which is disclosed in our Annual Report. Financing obligations arise when the Company finances its owned equipment. There has been no change in the Company's accounting policy for finance lease obligations or change in the recognition or measurement of the related balances now recognized within long-term debt. The change in presentation had no effect on the reported results of operations. The comparative period has been updated to reflect this presentation change.

Recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted

Joint venture formations

In August 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-05, Business Combinations - Joint Venture Formations. This accounting standard update was issued to create new requirements for valuing contributions made to a joint venture upon formation. This standard is effective January 1, 2025, with early adoption permitted. We are assessing the impact the adoption of this standard may have on its consolidated financial statements.

Segment reporting

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting: Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. This accounting standard update was issued to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. This standard is effective for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2024. We are assessing the impact the adoption of this standard may have on its consolidated financial statements.

Income taxes

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes: Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. This accounting standard update was issued to increase transparency by improving income tax disclosures primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information. This standard is effective for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2025, with early adoption permitted. We are assessing the impact the adoption of this standard may have on its consolidated financial statements.

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 guidance with respect to financial metrics provided in our outlook for 2024.

The material factors or assumptions used to develop the above forward-looking statements include, and the risks and uncertainties to which such forward-looking statements are subject, are highlighted in the MD&A for the three months and year ended December 31, 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.sedarplus.ca and on our company website at www.nacg.ca.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release presents certain non-GAAP financial measures, non-GAAP ratios, and supplementary financial measures that may be useful to investors in analyzing our business performance, leverage, and liquidity. 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. A "non-GAAP ratio" is a ratio, fraction, percentage or similar expression that has a non-GAAP financial measure as one or more of its components. Non-GAAP financial measures and ratios do not have standardized meanings under GAAP and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. They should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. A "supplementary financial measure" is a financial measure disclosed, or intended to be disclosed, on a periodic basis to depict historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flows that does not fall within the definition of a non-GAAP financial measure or non-GAAP ratio. The non-GAAP financial measures and ratios we present include, "adjusted EBIT", "adjusted EBITDA", "adjusted EBITDA margin" "adjusted EPS", "adjusted net earnings", "backlog", "capital additions", "capital expenditures, net", "capital inventory", "capital work in progress", "cash provided by operating activities prior to change in working capital", "combined gross profit", "combined gross profit margin", "equity investment depreciation and amortization", "equity investment EBIT", "free cash flow", "general and administrative expenses (excluding stock-based compensation)", "gross profit", "growth capital", "invested capital", "net debt", "sustaining capital", "total capital liquidity", "total combined revenue", and "total debt". We also use supplementary financial measures such as "gross profit margin" and "total net working capital (excluding cash and current portion of long-term debt)" in our MD&A. Each non-GAAP financial measure used in this press release is defined under "Financial Measures" in our Management's Discussion and Analysis filed on EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov or on the CSA website at www.sedarplus.ca and on our company website at www.nacg.ca.

Reconciliation of total reported revenue to total combined revenue

	Three months ended						Year ended
	December 31,						December 31,
(dollars in thousands)		2023			2022			2023			2022
Revenue from wholly-owned entities per financial statements	$	326,298		$	233,417		$	957,220		$	769,539
Share of revenue from investments in affiliates and joint ventures		169,662			183,006			686,299			596,033
Elimination of joint venture subcontract revenue		(92,522	)		(96,315	)		(369,891	)		(311,307	)
Total combined revenue⁽ⁱ⁾	$	403,438		$	320,108		$	1,273,628		$	1,054,265

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

Reconciliation of reported gross profit to combined gross profit

	Three months ended				Year ended
	December 31,				December 31,
(dollars in thousands)		2023		2022		2023		2022
Gross profit from wholly-owned entities per financial statements	$	65,455	$	42,590	$	154,217	$	101,548
Share of gross profit from investments in affiliates and joint ventures		8,670		14,541		49,638		49,581
Combined gross profit⁽ⁱ⁾	$	74,125	$	57,131	$	203,855	$	151,129

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

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

	Three months ended						Year ended
	December 31,						December 31,
(dollars in thousands)		2023			2022			2023			2022
Net income	$	17,646		$	26,081		$	63,141		$	67,372
Adjustments:
Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment		1,470			(533	)		1,659			536
Stock-based compensation (benefit) expense		(496	)		4,910			15,828			4,780
Acquisition costs		5,934			—			7,095			—
Loss on equity investment customer bankruptcy claim settlement		—			—			759			—
Loss (gain) on derivative financial instruments		916			(778	)		(6,063	)		(778	)
Equity investment (gain) loss on derivative financial instruments		(713	)		364			(1,362	)		(4,776	)
Tax effect of the above items		(1,589	)		(1,006	)		(5,829	)		(1,222	)
Adjusted net earnings⁽ⁱ⁾	$	23,168		$	29,038		$	75,228		$	65,912
Adjustments:
Tax effect of the above items		1,589			1,006			5,829			1,222
Change in fair value of contingent consideration		4,681			—			4,681			—
Interest expense, net		14,007			7,774			36,948			24,543
Income tax expense		10,930			6,889			22,822			17,073
Equity earnings in affiliates and joint ventures⁽ⁱ⁾		(2,401	)		(8,401	)		(25,815	)		(37,053	)
Equity investment EBIT⁽ⁱ⁾		1,787			9,363			25,545			42,148
Adjusted EBIT⁽ⁱ⁾	$	53,761		$	45,669		$	145,238		$	113,845
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization		42,277			36,094			132,516			120,124
Equity investment depreciation and amortization⁽ⁱ⁾		5,098			4,112			19,209			11,383
Adjusted EBITDA⁽ⁱ⁾	$	101,136		$	85,875		$	296,963		$	245,352
Adjusted EBITDA margin^(i)(ii)		25.1	%		26.8	%		23.3	%		23.3	%

⁽ⁱ⁾See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".

⁽ⁱⁱ⁾Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated using adjusted EBITDA over total combined revenue.

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

	Three months ended						Year ended
	December 31,						December 31,
(dollars in thousands)		2023			2022			2023			2022
Equity (earnings) loss in affiliates and joint ventures	$	2,401		$	8,401		$	25,815		$	37,053
Adjustments:
Interest expense, net		(268	)		688			(1,183	)		2,589
Income tax expense		(324	)		275			970			2,442
(Gain) loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment		(22	)		(1	)		(57	)		64
Equity investment EBIT⁽ⁱ⁾	$	1,787		$	9,363		$	25,545		$	42,148
Depreciation		4,983			3,936			18,555			10,679
Amortization of intangible assets		115			176			654			704
Equity investment depreciation and amortization⁽ⁱ⁾	$	5,098		$	4,112		$	19,209		$	11,383

⁽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.

For further information contact:

Jason Veenstra, CPA, CA

Chief Financial Officer

North American Construction Group Ltd.

(780) 960.7171

ir@nacg.ca

www.nacg.ca

Consolidated Balance Sheets

As at December 31

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars)

		2023			2022
Assets
Current assets
Cash	$	88,614		$	69,144
Accounts receivable		97,855			83,811
Contract assets		35,027			15,802
Inventories		64,962			49,898
Prepaid expenses and deposits		7,402			10,587
Assets held for sale		1,340			1,117
		295,200			230,359
Property, plant and equipment		1,142,946			645,810
Operating lease right-of-use assets		12,782			14,739
Intangible assets		6,971			6,773
Investments in affiliates and joint ventures		81,435			75,637
Other assets		7,144			5,808
Deferred tax assets		—			387
Total assets	$	1,546,478		$	979,513
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	146,190		$	102,549
Accrued liabilities		94,726			43,784
Contract liabilities		59			1,411
Current portion of long-term debt		81,306			42,089
Current portion of operating lease liabilities		1,742			2,470
		324,023			192,303
Long-term debt		611,313			378,452
Operating lease liabilities		11,307			12,376
Other long-term obligations		134,357			18,576
Deferred tax liabilities		108,824			71,887
		1,189,824			673,594
Shareholders' equity
Common shares (authorized – unlimited number of voting common shares; issued and outstanding – December 31, 2023 - 27,827,282 (December 31, 2022 – 27,827,282))		229,455			229,455
Treasury shares (December 31, 2023 - 1,090,187 (December 31, 2022 - 1,406,461))		(16,165	)		(16,438	)
Additional paid-in capital		20,739			22,095
Retained earnings		123,032			70,501
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income		(407	)		306
Shareholders' equity		356,654			305,919
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	1,546,478		$	979,513

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

For the years ended December 31

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

		2023			2022
Revenue	$	957,220		$	769,539
Cost of sales		671,684			548,723
Depreciation		131,319			119,268
Gross profit		154,217			101,548
General and administrative expenses		56,844			29,855
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment		1,659			536
Operating income		95,714			71,157
Equity earnings in affiliates and joint ventures		(25,815	)		(37,053	)
Interest expense, net		36,948			24,543
Change in fair value of contingent consideration		4,681			—
Gain on derivative financial instruments		(6,063	)		(778	)
Income before income taxes		85,963			84,445
Current income tax expense		6,841			1,627
Deferred income tax expense		15,981			15,446
Net income		63,141			67,372
Other comprehensive income
Unrealized foreign currency translation loss (gain)		713			(304	)
Comprehensive income	$	62,428		$	67,676

Per share information
Basic net income per share	$	2.38		$	2.46
Diluted net income per share	$	2.09		$	2.15

North American Construction Group Ltd. Announces Results for the Fourth Quarter and Year Ended December 31, 2023