Greenbrier reports strong profits, grows backlog, will recapitalize European operations
LAKE OSWEGO, OREGON, JANUARY 13, 2004 -
Highlights
- Strong performance in both North America and Europe drove
profitability for the first fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2003.
- Net earnings for the first quarter of fiscal 2004 were $4.2 million,
or $.28 per diluted share. This compares to a net loss of $0.7
million, or $.05 per diluted share, in the first quarter of fiscal
2003, and to net income of $3.3 million, or $.23 per diluted share,
for the fourth quarter ended August 31, 2003.
- Revenues for the quarter grew by 16% to $112 million, compared to
the prior year's first quarter.
- New railcar deliveries in North America, including those from the
Company's unconsolidated Mexican joint venture, grew by nearly 45%
to 1,700 units, up from 1,200 units in the prior year's first
quarter.
- New railcar manufacturing backlog in North America and Europe was
11,500 units valued at $620 million at November 30, 2003, up from
10,700 units valued at $580 million at August 31, 2003.
- An updated letter of intent was signed with a private equity group
to recapitalize the Company's European freight car operations.
- The Company continues to maintain strong liquidity. After additions
to the lease fleet and plant improvements of $10 million and debt
reductions of $7 million during the quarter, and cash usage for
working capital needs, cash balances were $51 million. Unused lines
of credit remained at nearly $110 million in North America.
- EBITDA from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2004 was
$13 million, up from $8 million in the prior year's first quarter,
and $11 million in the fourth quarter of 2003.
The Greenbrier Companies [NYSE:GBX] today reported profitable results for
its first fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2003. Higher production rates,
improved margins and operating efficiencies continue to drive results. Both
continuing North American and discontinued European operations reported profits
for the quarter.
New railcar backlog remains strong in both North America and Europe,
stretching into fiscal 2005. The November 30, 2003 backlog includes 9,900 units
valued at $480 million from North American operations and 1,600 units valued at
$140 million from European operations. The August 31, 2003 backlog included
9,000 units valued at $440 million in North America and 1,700 units valued at
$140 million in Europe.
William A. Furman, president and chief executive officer, said, "Our strong
railcar and marine manufacturing backlog provides good financial visibility
stretching well into fiscal 2005. The leasing & services segment is also
benefiting from the market rebound. Our lease fleet of 12,000
<PAGE>
owned railcars realized 95% "on lease" utilization for the quarter, up from 92%
at the end of the prior quarter. We intend to continue to add to our lease fleet
during the year and to pursue other accretive investments."
Furman added, "The recapitalization of our European operation is proceeding on
schedule. The Company has entered into a letter of intent with private
investors, subject to satisfactory third party debt financing, completion of
final documentation, obtaining necessary Polish government clearance, and other
conditions. After the recapitalization, Greenbrier will maintain a small
minority interest and assume a passive role. The Company remains committed to
completing the recapitalization during its second fiscal quarter of 2004. In the
meantime, Greenbrier Europe continues its return to profitability and has
produced improved financial results."
The Greenbrier Companies (www.gbrx.com), headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon,
is a leading supplier of transportation equipment and services to the railroad
industry in North America. Greenbrier builds new railroad freight cars in the
U.S., Canada and Mexico, and repairs and refurbishes freight cars and wheels at
thirteen locations across North America. The Company also builds new railroad
freight cars and refurbishes freight cars for the European market through its
manufacturing operations in Poland and various sub-contractor facilities
throughout Europe. At Greenbrier's Portland, Oregon manufacturing facility, it
builds ocean-going barges for the maritime industry. The Company produces rail
castings through an unconsolidated joint venture and also manufactures new
freight cars through the use of unaffiliated subcontractors. Greenbrier owns
approximately 12,000 railcars and performs management services for approximately
113,000 railcars.
Except for historical information contained herein, this press release
contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including without limitation, statements as to
expectations, beliefs, and future financial performance. These forward-looking
statements are dependent on a number of factors, business risks and issues, a
change in which could cause actual results to differ materially from those
expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Such factors, risks and
issues are set forth from time to time under "Forward-Looking Statements," in
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations in Greenbrier's SEC filings and reports. Any forward-looking
statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made. Greenbrier
undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect
events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made.
The Greenbrier Companies will host a teleconference to discuss first quarter
2004 results. Teleconference details are as follows:
Tuesday, January 13, 2004
7:30 am Pacific Standard Time
Real-time Audio Access: ("Newsroom" at http://www.gbrx.com)
Please access the site 10 minutes prior to the start time. Following the call, a
replay will be available on the same site.
<PAGE>
THE GREENBRIER COMPANIES, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
November August
30, 31,
2003 2003
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 51,212 $ 75,700
Accounts and notes receivable 61,572 59,669
Inventories 103,279 91,310
Investment in direct finance leases 34,971 41,821
Equipment on operating leases 144,599 139,047
Property, plant and equipment 56,108 56,684
Other 23,423 23,483
Discontinued operations 58,222 51,234
-------- --------
$533,386 $538,948
======== ========
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Revolving notes $ 6,007 $ 5,267
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 102,012 114,459
Participation 56,378 55,901
Deferred revenue 36,090 39,776
Deferred income taxes 18,908 16,127
Notes payable 106,569 110,715
Discontinued operations 65,827 59,742
Subordinated debt 18,923 20,921
Subsidiary's shares subject to mandatory 4,034 4,898
redemption
Stockholders' equity 118,638 111,142
-------- --------
$533,386 $538,948
======== ========
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
THE GREENBRIER COMPANIES, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share amounts, unaudited)
Three Months Ended
November 30,
------------------------
2003 2002
--------- --------
Revenue
Manufacturing $ 94,235 $ 79,211
Leasing & services 17,896 17,678
--------- --------
112,131 96,889
Cost of revenue
Manufacturing 85,144 74,335
Leasing & services 10,836 11,566
--------- --------
95,980 85,901
Margin 16,151 10,988
Other costs
Selling and administrative expense 8,167 6,670
Interest expense 2,079 3,282
--------- --------
10,246 9,952
Earnings before income taxes,
minority interest and equity
in loss of unconsolidated subsidiary 5,905 1,036
Income tax expense (2,490) (396)
--------- --------
Earnings before minority
interest and equity in loss
of unconsolidated subsidiary 3,415 640
Minority interest -- (18)
Equity in loss of
unconsolidated subsidiary (318) (517)
--------- --------
Earnings from continuing operations 3,097 105
Earnings (loss) from
discontinued operations (net of tax) 1,058 (848)
--------- --------
Net earnings (loss) $ 4,155 $ (743)
========= ========
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations $ 0.22 $ 0.01
Discontinued operations 0.07 (0.06)
--------- --------
Net earnings (loss) $ 0.29 $ (0.05)
========= ========
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations $ 0.21 $ 0.01
Discontinued operations 0.07 (0.06)
--------- --------
Net earnings (loss) $ 0.28 $ (0.05)
========= ========
Weighted average common shares:
Basic 14,353 14,121
Diluted 14,890 14,121
THE GREENBRIER COMPANIES, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands, unaudited)
Three Months Ended
November 30,
-----------------------
2003 2002
-------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net earnings (loss) $ 4,155 $ (743)
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net
cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
(Earnings) loss from discontinued operations (1,058) 848
Other changes in discontinued operations 155 196
Deferred income taxes 2,781 (1,888)
Depreciation and amortization 5,176 4,446
Gain on sales of equipment (146) (29)
Other 2,756 549
Decrease (increase) in assets:
Accounts and notes receivable (1,903) 773
Inventories (12,061) (10,817)
Other 969 995
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (12,440) 3,917
Participation 477 860
Deferred revenue (3,495) 2,583
-------- --------
Net cash (used in) provided by
operating activities (14,634) 1,690
-------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Principal payments received under
direct finance leases 2,857 4,115
Proceeds from sales of equipment 4,057 4,018
Investment in unconsolidated joint venture (1,005) --
Purchases of property and equipment (9,500) (3,535)
-------- --------
Net cash (used in) provided by
investing activities (3,591) 4,598
-------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Changes in revolving notes 740 (628)
Repayments of notes payable (4,571) (6,294)
Repayments of subordinated debt (1,998) (655)
Exercise of stock options 534 --
Purchase of subsidiary's shares subject
to mandatory redemption (968) --
-------- --------
Net cash used in financing activities (6,263) (7,577)
-------- --------
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (24,488) (1,280)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Beginning of period 75,700 58,777
-------- --------
End of period $ 51,212 $ 57,488
======== ========
THE GREENBRIER COMPANIES, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE
Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to EBITDA
(In thousands, unaudited)
Three Months Ended
November 30,
-----------------------
2003 2002
-------- -------
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities $(14,634) $ 1,690
Changes in working capital 28,453 1,689
Changes in discontinued operations (155) (196)
Deferred income taxes (2,781) 1,888
Gain on sales of equipment 146 29
Other (2,756) (549)
Income tax expense 2,490 396
Interest expense 2,079 3,282
-------- -------
EBITDA from continuing operations $ 12,842 $ 8,229
======== =======
1 "EBITDA" (earnings from continuing operations before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization) is a useful liquidity measurement tool commonly
used by rail supply companies and Greenbrier. It should not be considered in
isolation or as a substitute for cash flows from operating activities or cash
flow statement data prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.