Firan Technology Group Corporation (“FTG”) Announces Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results


TORONTO, Oct. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Firan Technology Group Corporation (TSX:FTG) today announced financial results for the third quarter of 2022.

  • FTG achieved a seventh sequential quarter of increased bookings as the aerospace industry recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Third quarter bookings of $27.9M are up 33% over Q3 2021 and is the best bookings quarter since Q3 2019
  • FTG has maintained strong liquidity with net cash on the balance sheet of $10.8M, after investments in the quarter of $0.7M for recurring capital expenditures, $1.4M for research and development, $8.5M to the Aerospace Chatsworth facility and $0.8M for FTG share buybacks
  • Sales for Q3 2022 were $23.1M, which is an increase of 17.0% over Q3 2021 and an increase of 3.5% over Q2 2022
  • FTG recorded earnings per share of $0.03 in Q3 2022 without the benefit of government assistance

Third Quarter Results: (three months ended September 2, 2022 compared with three months ended September 3, 2021)

 Q3 2022
  Q3 2021 
Sales$23,095,000 $19,738,000 
   
Gross Margin 5,708,000  3,796,000 
Gross Margin (%) 24.7%  19.2% 
   
Operating Earnings (1): 2,231,000  477,000 
   
• R&D Investment 1,390,000  1,225,000 
• R&D Tax Credits (142,000)  (159,000) 
• Foreign Exchange Loss (gain) (298,000)  (423,000) 
• Amortization of Intangibles 31,000  51,000 
Net Earnings before Tax 1,250,000  1,451,000 
   
• Income Tax 509,000  703,000 
• Non-controlling Interests 18,000  (26,000) 
Net Earnings After Tax$723,000 $774,000 
   
Earnings per share  
- basic$0.03 $0.03 
- diluted$0.03 $0.03 
   
Government Assistance included in the Periods:  
• Forgiveness of Debt -  1,668,000 
• Other Government Subsidies -  787,000 
Total Government Assistance included in the Periods -  2,455,000 
       

Year-to-Date: (nine months ended September 2, 2022 compared with nine months ended September 3, 2021)

  YTD 2022  YTD 2021 
Sales$65,874,000 $59,038,000 
   
Gross Margin 15,574,000  12,886,000 
Gross Margin (%) 23.6%  21.8% 
   
Operating Earnings (1): 5,389,000  3,681,000 
   
• R&D Investment 4,422,000  4,112,000 
• R&D Tax Credits (498,000)  (465,000) 
• Foreign Exchange Loss (gain) (9,000)  739,000 
• Amortization of Intangibles 92,000  210,000 
• Forgiveness of debt -  (3,004,000) 
Net Earnings before Tax 1,382,000  2,089,000 
   
• Income Tax 1,339,000  1,779,000 
• Non-controlling Interests 39,000  (74,000) 
Net Earnings After Tax$4,000 $384,000 
   
(Loss) Earnings per share  
- basic$0.00 $0.01 
- diluted$0.00 $0.01 
   
Government Assistance included in the Periods:  
• Forgiveness of Debt -  3,004,000 
• Other Government Subsidies 314,000  3,139,000 
Total Government Assistance included in the Periods 314,000  6,143,000 

(1)   Operating Earnings is not a measure recognized under International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). Management believes that this measure is important to many of the Corporation’s shareholders, creditors and other stakeholders. The Corporation’s method of calculating Operating Earnings may differ from other corporations and accordingly may not be comparable to measures used by other corporations.

Business Highlights

FTG accomplished many goals in Q3 2022 that continue to improve the Corporation and position it for the future, including:

  • Achieved a 1.21:1 book-to-bill ratio for Q3 2022
  • Booked $7.5M in new purchase orders to supply cockpit assemblies for military and commercial simulators for different aircrafts including refueling fixed wing aircraft, helicopters and business jets, with the work to be performed by FTG’s Aerospace segment facilities in Toronto, Ontario, Chatsworth, California and Tianjin, China over the next 9-12 months
  • Total backlog as of the end of Q3 2022 is $55.8M, up 57% from Q3 2021
  • Received $1.3M of funding from FedDev Ontario, which was the first instalment from the Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative (ARRI) program. The funding is repayable, without interest, commencing in 2025 through to 2030

Overall for FTG, sales increased by $3.4M or 17% from $19.7M in Q3 2021 to $23.1M in Q3 2022, as the market conditions for aerospace and defense electronics have improved considerably since last year. Each of FTG’s seven sites in North America and China contributed to the increase in sales. The average FX rate in Q3 2022 was 3.6% more favourable than Q3 2021. On a year-to-date basis, sales were $65.9M compared to $59.0M for the same period last year.

The Circuits Segment sales were up $1.5M or 11% from $13.1M in Q3 2021 to $14.6M in Q3 2022, with the increase in sales spread across sites in both North America and China. The increase in Inter-segment sales is primarily due to increased demand for military products with Circuits Chatsworth supplying PCBs for integration into assemblies at Aerospace Chatsworth. On a year-to-date basis, net sales were $44.3M as compared to $38.1M for the prior year period.

For the Aerospace Segment, sales were up $2.2M or 30% from $7.4M in Q3 2021 to $9.6M in Q3 2022. In particular, the Aerospace Tianjin site was able to ramp up very quickly to respond to demand from a US commercial aerospace customer. Sales of Simulator products were $0.6M in Q3 22 as compared to $0.4M in Q3 21, however Simulator sales remain down $2.1M from 2021 on a year-to-date basis. FTG has increased backlog in the Simulator market and expects to see stronger sales over the next few quarters. On a year-to-date basis, net sales were $25.4M as compared to $23.2M for the prior year period with the increase in sales spread across sites in both North America and China. The supply of electronic components continues to be a constraint on making product deliveries to customers.

Gross margins in Q3 2022 were $5.7M or 24.7% compared to $3.8M or 19.2% in Q3 2021. The increased sales volume in Q3 2022 contributed positively to the gross margin rate. Excluding government assistance, the gross margin rate improved to 24.7% in Q3 2022 from 15.7% in Q3 2021. On a year-to-date basis, gross margin was $15.6M or 23.6% as compared to $12.9M or 21.8% for the comparable prior year period. Excluding government assistance, the gross margin rate on a year-to-date basis improved to 23.2% in 2022 from 17.1% in the prior year. The increase in the gross margin rate is due to the operating leverage of increased sales volumes and operational efficiencies.

Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for FTG was $8.5M, of which $2.8M was generated in Q3 2022.

The following table reconciles net earnings to EBITDA(2) for the trailing 12 months ended September 2, 2022.

   Trailing 12
Months
  
      
 Net earnings to equity holders of FTG (124,000) 
 Add:    
 Interest, Accretion 452,000  
 Income taxes 1,968,000  
 Depreciation/Amortization/ Stock Comp. 6,157,000  
      
 EBITDA$8,453,000  

(2)   EBITDA are not measures recognized under International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). Management believes that these measures are important to many of the Corporation’s shareholders, creditors and other stakeholders. The Corporation’s method of calculating EBITDA may differ from other corporations and accordingly may not be comparable to measures used by other corporations.

Net earnings after tax at FTG in Q3 2022 was $0.7M or $0.03 per diluted share compared to $0.7M or $0.03 per diluted share in Q3 2021. The increased sales and gross margin in Q3 2022 were offset by reduced COVID-19 related government subsidies. In Q3 2022, no government assistance was recorded, whereas Q3 2021 included government assistance of $2.5M (wage subsidies in Canada and PPP loan forgiveness in the U.S). Excluding COVID-19 related government subsidies, net earnings after tax from FTG’s operations improved by $2.4M pre-tax in Q3 2022 compared to Q3 2021.

For the year-to-date period, FTG’s net earnings after tax was $0.0M or $0.00 per share as compared to $0.4M or $0.01 per share for the comparable period of 2021. During the year-to-date period in 2022, government subsidies included $0.3M from the US Department of Transportation AMJP program, whereas the comparable period in 2021 included $6.1M of wage and rent subsidies in Canada and PPP loan forgiveness in the U.S. Excluding COVID-19 related government subsidies, net earnings after tax from FTG’s operations improved by $5.3M pre-tax in the year-to-date period in 2022 compared to 2021.

The Circuits Segment net earnings before corporate and interest and other costs was $0.8M in Q3 2022 compared to $1.6M in Q3 2021. The increase in sales was the most significant impact on the segment profitability offset by reduced subsidies from the US and Canadian governments. Q3 2022 included no government subsidies whereas Q3 2021 included $2.1M. Excluding the effect of government subsidies, net earnings from the Circuits Segment increased by $1.3M.  

The contract with the unionized production employees at the Circuits Toronto site expired in Q3 2022. Negotiations between FTG and the union regarding wages and benefits are on-going, which we expect will be completed without a labour disruption. If a labour disruption were to occur, this would have a negative impact on product deliveries to customers and on sales and profitability of the Corporation.

The Aerospace net earnings before corporate and interest and other costs in the quarter was $1.3M in Q3 2022 versus $0.3M in Q3 2021. The Aerospace Segment did not receive any government subsidies in Q3 2022 whereas Q3 2021 included $0.3M. Excluding the effect of government subsidies, net earnings from the Aerospace Segment increased by $1.3M.

As at September 2, 2022, the Corporation’s net working capital was $30.8M, compared to $40.0M at year-end in 2021.

Net cash at the end of Q3 2022 was $10.8M compared to net cash of $17.9M at the end of 2021.

The Corporation will host a live conference call on Thursday, October 13th, 2022 at 8:30am (Eastern) to discuss the results of Q3 2022.

Anyone wishing to participate in the call should dial 416-764-8646 or 1-888-396-8049, Conference ID 533077051, and identify that you are calling to participate in the FTG conference call. The Chairperson is Mr. Brad Bourne. A replay of the call will be available until November 13, 2022 and will be available on the FTG website at www.ftgcorp.com. The number to call for a rebroadcast is 416-764-8692 or 1-877-674-7070, playback passcode: 077051 #.        

ABOUT FIRAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION

FTG is an aerospace and defense electronics product and subsystem supplier to customers around the globe. FTG has two operating units:

FTG Circuits is a manufacturer of high technology, high reliability printed circuit boards. Our customers are leaders in the aviation, defense, and high technology industries. FTG Circuits has operations in Toronto, Ontario, Chatsworth, California, Fredericksburg, Virginia and a joint venture in Tianjin, China.

FTG Aerospace manufactures and repairs illuminated cockpit panels, keyboards and sub-assemblies for original equipment manufacturers of aerospace and defense equipment. FTG Aerospace has operations in Toronto, Ontario, Chatsworth, California, and Tianjin, China.

The Corporation’s shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol FTG.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are related to, but not limited to, FTG’s operations, anticipated financial performance, business prospects and strategies. Forward-looking information typically contains words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “plan” or similar words suggesting future outcomes. Such statements are based on the current expectations of management of the Corporation and inherently involve numerous risks and uncertainties, known and unknown, including economic factors and the Corporation’s industry, generally. The preceding list is not exhaustive of all possible factors. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual events and results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements made by the Corporation. The reader is cautioned to consider these and other factors carefully when making decisions with respect to the Corporation and not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Other than as may be required by law, FTG disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For further information please contact:        

Bradley C. Bourne, President and CEO                                                 
Firan Technology Group Corporation
Tel: (416) 299-4000 x314
bradbourne@ftgcorp.com

Jamie Crichton, Vice President and CFO                                  
Firan Technology Group Corporation
Tel: (416) 299-4000 x264
jamiecrichton@ftgcorp.com 

Additional information can be found at the Corporation’s website www.ftgcorp.com


FIRAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION   
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position  
      
(Unaudited) September 2,November 30, 
(in thousands of Canadian dollars) 2022  2021 
ASSETS    
Current assets   
Cash and cash equivalents$ 13,715 $20,196 
Accounts receivable 17,079  16,014 
Contract assets 497  818 
Inventories  18,742  16,953 
Income tax recoverable 501  1 
Prepaid expenses and other 1,031  3,162 
    51,565  57,144 
Non-current assets   
Plant and equipment, net 19,644  11,078 
Right-of-use assets 9,540  10,098 
Investment tax credits recoverable -  327 
Intangible and other assets, net 437  805 
Total assets $ 81,186 $79,452 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY   
Current liabilities   
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities$ 13,022 $13,803 
Provisions  1,077  545 
Contract liabilities 4,292  335 
Current portion of bank debt 982  935 
Current portion of government loan 47  - 
Current portion of lease liabilities 1,318  1,553 
    20,738  17,171 
Non-current liabilities   
Bank debt  605  1,327 
Government loan 1,278  - 
Lease liabilities 8,941  9,123 
Deferred tax payable 679  789 
Total liabilities 32,241  28,410 
Equity    
Retained earnings$ 18,886 $19,391 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (698) 478 
    18,188  19,869 
Share capital   
Common Shares 21,456  21,881 
Contributed surplus 8,373  8,352 
Total equity attributable to FTG's shareholders 48,017  50,102 
Non-controlling interest 928  940 
Total equity 48,945  51,042 
Total liabilities and equity$ 81,186 $79,452 
      


FIRAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION       
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss)      
         
  Three months ended Nine months ended
(Unaudited)September 2, September 3, September 2, September 3,
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts) 2022   2021   2022   2021 
         
Sales $ 23,095  $19,738  $ 65,874  $59,038 
         
Cost of sales       
Cost of sales 16,126   14,540   46,230   41,898 
Depreciation of plant and equipment 962   1,028   3,058   3,142 
Depreciation of right-of-use assets 299   374   1,012   1,112 
Total cost of sales 17,387   15,942   50,300   46,152 
Gross margin 5,708   3,796   15,574   12,886 
         
Expenses       
Selling, general and administrative 3,253   3,144   9,530   8,494 
Research and development costs 1,390   1,225   4,422   4,112 
Recovery of investment tax credits (142)  (159)  (498)  (465)
Depreciation of plant and equipment 56   60   169   185 
Depreciation of right-of-use assets 12   17   34   51 
Amortization of intangible assets 31   51   92   210 
Interest expense (income) (10)  14   (13)  81 
Accretion on lease liabilities 114   120   332   368 
Stock based compensation 52   (36)  133   26 
Foreign exchange (gain) loss (298)  (423)  (9)  739 
Forgiveness of debt -   (1,668)  -   (3,004)
Total expenses 4,458   2,345   14,192   10,797 
         
Earnings before income taxes 1,250   1,451   1,382   2,089 
         
Current income tax expense 480   670   1,238   1,685 
Deferred income tax expense 29   33   101   94 
Total income tax expense 509   703   1,339   1,779 
         
Net earnings$ 741  $748  $ 43  $310 
         
Attributable to:       
Non-controlling interest$ 18  $(26) $ 39  $(74)
Equity holders of FTG$ 723  $774  $ 4  $384 
         
Earnings per share, attributable to the equity holders of FTG       
Basic$ 0.03  $0.03  $ 0.00  $0.01 
Diluted$ 0.03  $0.03  $ 0.00  $0.01 
         


FIRAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION        
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)    
           
    Three months ended Nine months ended
(Unaudited) September 2, September 3, September 2, September 3,
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)  2022   2021   2022   2021 
           
Net earnings $ 741  $748  $ 43  $310 
           
Other comprehensive income (loss) to be reclassified to        
 net earnings (loss) in subsequent periods:        
           
 Change in foreign currency translation adjustments  734   862   200   (645)
 Net gain (loss) on valuation of derivative financial instruments        
  designated as cash flow hedges  (2,937)  (2,511)  (1,902)  1,246 
 Deferred income taxes on net gain (loss) on valuation of        
  derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges  734   628   475   (312)
           
     (1,469)  (1,021)  (1,227)  289 
           
Total comprehensive income (loss) $ (728) $(273) $ (1,184) $599 
           
Attributable to:        
Equity holders of FTG $ (746) $(247) $ (1,167) $756 
Non-controlling interest $ 18  $(26) $ (17) $(157)
           


FIRAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION     
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity    
         
Nine months ended September 2, 2022 Attributed to the equity holders of FTG   
     Accumulated   
     other  Non- 
(Unaudited)CommonRetainedContributedcomprehensive
 controlling Total
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)sharesearningssurplusincome Totalinterestequity
Balance, November 30, 2021$ 21,881 $ 19,391 $ 8,352$ 478 $ 50,102 $ 940 $ 51,042 
Net income -  4  - -  4  39  43 
Stock-based compensation -  -  21 -  21  -  21 
Repurchase and cancellation of shares (425) (509) - -  (934) -  (934)
Other comprehensive loss -  -  - (1,176) (1,176) (51) (1,227)
Balance, September 2, 2022$ 21,456 $ 18,886 $ 8,373$ (698)$ 48,017 $ 928 $ 48,945 
         
Nine months ended September 3, 2021 Attributed to the equity holders of FTG   
     Accumulated   
     other Non- 
(Unaudited)CommonRetainedContributedcomprehensive controllingTotal
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)sharesearningssurplusincome (loss)Totalinterestequity
Balance, November 30, 2020$21,881 $19,135 $8,303$958 $50,277 $1,011 $51,288 
Net income (loss) -  384  - -  384  (74) 310 
Stock-based compensation -  -  26 -  26  -  26 
Other comprehensive income (loss) -  -  - 333  333  (44) 289 
Balance, September 3, 2021$21,881 $19,519 $8,329$1,291 $51,020 $893 $51,913 
         


Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows      
         
  Three months ended Nine months ended
(Unaudited)September 2, September 3, September 2, September 3,
(in thousands of Canadian dollars) 2022   2021   2022   2021 
Net inflow (outflow) of cash related to the following:       
Operating activities       
Net earnings$ 741  $748  $ 43  $310 
Items not affecting cash and cash equivalents       
Stock-based compensation 52   (36)  133   26 
Gain on disposal of plant and equipment -   (4)  (10)  (3)
Effect of exchange rates on U.S. dollar bank debt (282)  90   (345)  (194)
Depreciation of plant and equipment 1,018   1,088   3,227   3,327 
Depreciation of right-of-use assets 311   391   1,046   1,163 
Amortization of intangible assets 31   51   92   210 
Amortization, other 7   9   23   35 
Investment tax credits/deferred income taxes 183   155   858   201 
Accretion on lease liabilities 114   120   332   368 
Forgiveness of debt -   (1,668)  -   (3,004)
Net change in non-cash operating working capital 3,450   708   2,464   2,578 
   5,625   1,652   7,863   5,017 
Investing activities       
Purchase of Aerospace Chatsworth facility (8,518)  -   (8,518)  - 
Additions to plant and equipment (683)  (956)  (3,241)  (1,951)
Recovery of contract and other costs 4   (2)  281   20 
Additions to deferred financing costs (1)  (54)  (5)  (62)
Proceeds from disposal of plant and equipment -   -   -   - 
   (9,198)  (1,012)  (11,483)  (1,993)
Net cash flow from operating and investing activities (3,573)  640   (3,620)  3,024 
Financing activities       
Proceeds from ARRI loan 1,325   -   1,325   - 
Repayments of debt (235)  (227)  (697)  (685)
Lease liability payments (382)  (444)  (1,205)  (1,343)
Repurchase and cancellation of shares (817)  -   (934)  - 
   (109)  (671)  (1,511)  (2,028)
Effects of foreign exchange rate changes on cash flow (1,157)  519   (1,350)  (481)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalent (4,839)  488   (6,481)  515 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period 18,554   19,059   20,196   19,032 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$ 13,715  $19,547  $ 13,715  $19,547 
         
Disclosure of cash payments       
Payment for interest$ 21  $31  $ 68  $102 
Payments for income taxes$ 218  $112  $ 694  $706