Release Details
Enerflex Ltd. Reports Strong First-quarter 2023 Financial and Operational Results, Including Engineered Systems Bookings of $517 Million
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OVERVIEW
Enerflex reported first-quarter 2023 financial results that included record quarterly revenue of$825 million . Revenue increased across all regions and product lines and reflects continued operational momentum within the business.- The Company is focused on continuing to expand its gross margin and reduce its overall cost structure. Relative to the fourth quarter of 2022,
Enerflex expanded its gross margin by 27% to$161 million and significantly reduced core selling and administrative expenses ("SG&A"). Enerflex recognized net earnings of$14 million and adjusted earnings before finance costs, income taxes, depreciation, and amortization ("adjusted EBITDA") of$123 million (1) in the first quarter of 2023.- The Company generated
$55 million of distributable cash flow(1), comprised of$73 million generated from normal course operations and$18 million of restructuring, transaction, and integration costs. Distributable cash flow was used to fund the completion of two large infrastructure projects and will now prioritize deleveraging for the balance of the year. As atMarch 31, 2023 ,Enerflex's bank-adjusted net debt to EBITDA ratio was 2.9 times(1). Enerflex safely brought the following two infrastructure projects in theMiddle East to commercial operation in the first quarter of 2023, the cash flows from which are expected to significantly contribute to the Company's deleveraging strategy.- The second phase of a natural gas infrastructure asset, underpinned by a 10-year take-or-pay contract with a national oil company. The project's first phase commenced operations in the fourth quarter of 2022.
- A build-own-operate-maintain ("BOOM") produced water facility, underpinned by a 10-year take-or-pay contract with a joint venture between a national oil company and an international super-major oil and gas company. The project will commence generating contracted revenue in the second quarter of 2023.
- Work continues on the modularized cryogenic natural gas processing facility (the "Cryogenic Facility") in the
Middle East . The project is being accounted for as a product sale and is expected to be completed in 2024. Enerflex delivered excellent results within its manufacturing business during the first quarter of 2023. The Engineered Systems product line generated$481 million of revenue with a realized gross margin of 15.5%. Total new Engineered Systems bookings of$517 million (1) replenished the Company's backlog to maintain a balance of$1.5 billion (1). This wasEnerflex's highest quarter of bookings since 2018.- Building on the successes achieved in its Energy Transition business in 2022, approximately
$85 million of the quarter's Engineered Systems bookings were for electric compression units, which will aid significantly in reducing the environmental impact of customer operations.Enerflex secured an additional$10 million of energy transition-related bookings in the period and continues to collaborate with customers to advance various other energy transition projects.
- Building on the successes achieved in its Energy Transition business in 2022, approximately
Enerflex has now captured approximatelyUS$50 million of the expectedUS$60 million of annual run-rate synergies associated with the acquisition ofExterran Corporation ("Exterran") that closed onOctober 13, 2022 (the "Transaction"), attained primarily through reductions in overhead. In addition, to optimize its global manufacturing footprint and increase operational efficiencies within the business,Enerflex plans to close its manufacturing facilities in theUnited Arab Emirates andSingapore in 2023. The Company is currently assessing the costs and synergies associated with the closures. Any such synergies will be incremental to theUS$50 million already captured.
(1) Non-IFRS measure that is not a standardized measure under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and may not be comparable to similar non-IFRS measures disclosed by other issuers. Refer to "Non-IFRS Measures" of this news release for the most directly comparable financial measure disclosed in
SUMMARY RESULTS
Three Months Ended | |||||||||
$ millions, except percentages, per share amounts, and ratios | 2023 |
2022 |
2022(1) |
||||||
Revenue | 825.0 | 689.8 | 323.1 | ||||||
Gross margin | 160.7 | 126.8 | 53.6 | ||||||
Gross margin percentage | 19.5 | % | 18.4 | % | 16.6 | % | |||
Earnings before finance costs and income taxes ("EBIT")(2) | 44.9 | (44.7 | ) | 7.1 | |||||
Net earnings (loss) | 13.5 | (81.1 | ) | (0.4 | ) | ||||
Per share(3) | 0.11 | (0.68 | ) | (0.00 | ) | ||||
Cash used in operating activities | (2.6 | ) | (16.3 | ) | (22.7 | ) | |||
Adjusted EBITDA(2) | 122.8 | 86.1 | 34.9 | ||||||
Distributable cash flow(2) | 55.5 | (25.8 | ) | 20.5 | |||||
Long-term debt | 1,458.8 | 1,390.3 | 339.1 | ||||||
Net debt(2) | 1,196.3 | 1,136.5 | 205.9 | ||||||
Bank-adjusted net debt to EBITDA(2) | 2.9(4) | 3.3(4) | 1.4 | ||||||
Return on capital employed ("ROCE")(2)(5) | (0.1 | )% | (2.2 | )% | 3.5 | % | |||
Engineered Systems bookings(2) | 516.6 | 415.1 | 236.9 | ||||||
Engineered Systems backlog(2) | 1,541.6 | 1,505.9 | 620.0 |
(1) Comparative figures represent
(2) Non-IFRS measure that is not a standardized measure under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar non-IFRS measures disclosed by other issuers. Refer to "Non-IFRS Measures" of this news release for the most directly comparable financial measure disclosed in
(3) Based on weighted average diluted common shares outstanding.
(4) Calculated in accordance with the Company's debt covenants, which permit the inclusion of
(5) Calculated using the trailing 12 months for the respective periods.
OUTLOOK
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
Enerflex's strategic focus for 2023 is to maximize cash flow generation to strengthen the Company's financial position, including executing its$1.5 billion Engineered Systems backlog and realizing the benefits and synergies from the Transaction. The Company also plans to safely advance the Cryogenic Facility in theMiddle East .Enerflex continues to expect that it will reduce its bank-adjusted net debt to EBITDA ratio to below 2.5 times by the end of the year due to strong cash flow generation anticipated across all product lines. As atMarch 31, 2023 , the Company's bank-adjusted net debt to EBITDA ratio was 2.9 times.- Once the Company's debt reduction target has been met,
Enerflex anticipates it will have the optionality to deliver increased capital returns to shareholders and invest profitably in strategic growth projects.
2023 GUIDANCE
Enerflex reaffirms its previously disclosed financial guidance for 2023, including its expectations that it will meet its debt reduction target by the end of the year, reflecting the Company's commitment to deleveraging and delivering on its near-term strategic objectives.- During the first quarter of 2023,
Enerflex invested$51 million in growth capital expenditures, primarily to complete the two BOOM produced water projects that were being advanced in 2022. The total investments associated with the two projects were initially budgeted for 2022; however, the final expenditures were accounted for in the first quarter of 2023.
US$ millions, except ratios and percentages | 2023 Guidance(1) |
Annual run-rate synergies(2) | 60 |
Adjusted EBITDA(2) | 380 – 420 |
Bank-adjusted net debt to EBITDA(3) | <2.5x |
Capital expenditures and work-in-progress ("WIP") | |
Maintenance capital expenditures | 40 – 50 |
WIP | 40 – 50 |
Other non-discretionary expenses(4) | 130 – 160 |
Total non-discretionary expenses(5) | 210 – 260 |
Accretion to shareholders(6) | |
Earnings per share(7) | 20% |
Cash flow per share | 20% |
(1) Refer to the
(2) Synergy capture is subject to timing considerations of being realized within 12 to 18 months of Transaction close.
(3) Calculated in accordance with the Company's debt covenants, which permit the inclusion of
(4) Includes net working capital, finance costs, income taxes, and dividends.
(5) Includes maintenance capital expenditures and WIP, net working capital, finance costs, income taxes, and dividends.
(6) Subject to potential purchase price allocation adjustments.
(7) Excludes amortization of refinancing costs and amortization of intangible assets.
MARKET OUTLOOK
Enerflex's opportunity set remains constructive across all regions. The Company's large base of international energy infrastructure assets throughoutLatin America and the Eastern Hemisphere is expected to continue serving the growing need for reliable power and energy independence and deliver stable, predictable performance for the Company.- In
North America , new Engineered Systems bookings continue to be weighted toward crude oil and liquids-rich natural gas resources plays, with near-term weakness in natural gas prices not materially impacting the Company's manufacturing business.Enerflex is securing a growing number of energy transition-related projects and the Company's contract compression fleet utilization remains at record highs, which has enabledEnerflex to increase its pricing through re-contracting efforts. - The long-term fundamentals for natural gas remain robust given the critical role the commodity is expected to play as a key transition fuel in global decarbonization efforts.
Enerflex is poised to continue capitalizing on the growing demand for low-carbon solutions through its vertically integrated natural gas and energy transition solutions by collaborating with customers and securing new projects.
FIRST-QUARTER 2023 RESULTS
FINANCIAL RESULTS
Enerflex generated a record$825 million of revenue in the first quarter of 2023, reflecting continued operational momentum within the business. Revenue increased across all regions and product lines relative to the fourth quarter of 2022.- The Company expanded its gross margin to
$161 million , representing an increase of 27% from the fourth quarter of 2022. As a percentage of revenue,Enerflex's gross margin was 19.5%.- Gross margins for the After-market Services and Engineered Systems product lines reflect improved demand and business activity, strengthening to 18.5% and 15.5%, respectively. The gross margin for the Energy Infrastructure product line was 30.5%, which was impacted by the disposal of certain non-core energy infrastructure assets primarily in
Latin America during the period.
- Gross margins for the After-market Services and Engineered Systems product lines reflect improved demand and business activity, strengthening to 18.5% and 15.5%, respectively. The gross margin for the Energy Infrastructure product line was 30.5%, which was impacted by the disposal of certain non-core energy infrastructure assets primarily in
Enerflex is focused on realizing the cost savings and synergies associated with the Transaction, reducing first-quarter 2023 SG&A by 34% from the fourth quarter of 2022. SG&A of$116 million included$12 million of restructuring, transaction, and integration costs and$12 million of foreign exchange losses due to the ongoing devaluation of the Argentine peso. As a percentage of revenue,Enerflex's SG&A was 14.0% as compared to 25.4% in the fourth quarter of 2022.Enerflex recognized net earnings of$14 million and adjusted EBITDA of$123 million in the first quarter of 2023. Not included in adjusted EBITDA is$7 million of interest income earned on financial instruments that partially offset the foreign exchange losses inArgentina .- The Company's improved financial results reflect the stronger cash flow-generating capabilities of
Enerflex following the Transaction, given its expanded base of stable energy infrastructure assets coupled with increased activity in theNorth America segment.
- The Company's improved financial results reflect the stronger cash flow-generating capabilities of
- The Company generated
$55 million of distributable cash flow, comprised of$73 million generated from normal course operations and$18 million of restructuring, transaction, and integration costs. Distributable cash flow was used to fund the completion of two large infrastructure projects and will now prioritize deleveraging for the balance of the year.
FINANCIAL POSITION
- Deleveraging is one of
Enerflex's top priorities for 2023, and the Company continues to expect that it will reduce its bank-adjusted net debt to EBITDA ratio to below 2.5 times by the end of the year. - As at
March 31, 2023 ,Enerflex's long-term debt and net debt balances were approximately$1.5 billion and$1.2 billion , respectively. The bank-adjusted net debt to EBITDA ratio was 2.9 times.
RETURNS TO SHAREHOLDERS
Enerflex is committed to delivering a sustainable dividend to shareholders, declaring dividends of$0.025 per share during the three months endedMarch 31, 2023 .- The Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of
$0.025 per share, payable onJuly 6, 2023 , to shareholders of record onMay 18, 2023 . - Once the Company's debt reduction target has been met,
Enerflex anticipates it will have the ability to deliver increased capital returns to shareholders.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES AND EXPENDITURES FOR FINANCE LEASES
Enerflex safely completed two large infrastructure projects in the first quarter of 2023, investing$51 million in energy infrastructure growth capital expenditures and$5 million in expenditures for finance leases. The Company also invested$8 million in maintenance capital expenditures and$3 million for additions to property, plant, and equipment.- Energy infrastructure growth capital expenditures relate primarily to the two BOOM produced water projects completed in the
Middle East , which were initially budgeted for 2022; however, the final expenditures were accounted for in the first quarter of 2023.
- Energy infrastructure growth capital expenditures relate primarily to the two BOOM produced water projects completed in the
- With three of the four in-flight infrastructure projects that were being advanced in 2022 now in commercial operation, the Company will be disciplined in its capital investments for the balance of 2023 as it prioritizes debt reduction.
SEGMENTED RESULTS
Three Months Ended |
|||||
$ millions | Total | North America |
Latin America |
Eastern Hemisphere |
|
Revenue | 825.0 | 465.9 | 117.5 | 241.7 | |
Energy Infrastructure | 188.7 | 38.9 | 85.3 | 64.5 | |
After-market Services | 155.5 | 91.7 | 19.0 | 44.9 | |
Engineered Systems | 480.9 | 335.3 | 13.3 | 132.3 | |
Operating income (loss) | 44.9 | 28.3 | (0.7 | ) | 17.2 |
EBIT | 44.9 | 28.4 | (0.7 | ) | 17.2 |
EBITDA | 108.0 | 49.2 | 14.9 | 43.9 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | 122.8 | 55.8 | 19.9 | 47.1 | |
Engineered Systems bookings | 516.6 | 416.3 | 8.8 | 91.5 | |
Engineered Systems backlog | 1,541.6 | 1,155.1 | 48.4 | 338.1 |
Enerflex delivered excellent business results in itsNorth America segment, securing$416 million of Engineered Systems bookings during the first quarter of 2023. New bookings were 18% higher than in the fourth quarter of 2022 and are comprised of approximately 75% of projects from theUSA and 25% fromCanada . Gross margins on new bookings continue to expand from the lows of the pandemic and trend positively toward the historical average for Engineered Systems bookings.- Reflecting strong customer activity across all product lines, the Company generated revenue of
$466 million and adjusted EBITDA of$56 million , increasing by 11% and 2% relative to the fourth quarter of 2022, respectively. - The average utilization rate for the
USA contract compression fleet remained elevated at 96% on approximately 403,000 horsepower in the first quarter of 2023.
- The financial performance of the
Latin America segment improved in the first quarter of 2023 as the Company proactively managed its exposure to the ongoing devaluation of the Argentine peso.Enerflex partially offset foreign exchange losses of$12 million with$7 million of interest income from associated instruments. - The Company generated higher revenue in the first quarter of 2023 across all product lines, leveraging its expanded footprint in the region. Also contributing to the segment's revenue was approximately
$14 million of proceeds on the disposal of certain non-core energy infrastructure assets.
Eastern Hemisphere
Enerflex brought two infrastructure projects in theMiddle East to commercial operation in the first quarter of 2023, including the commencement of the finance lease for the second phase of a natural gas infrastructure asset. The second project, a BOOM produced water facility, will begin generating contracted revenue in the second quarter of 2023.- The Company's expanded footprint and increased contracted cash flows from its energy infrastructure assets drove strong financial results in the Eastern Hemisphere segment. First-quarter 2023 revenue of
$242 million and adjusted EBITDA of$47 million increased by 42% and 161%, respectively, relative to the fourth quarter of 2022. - To optimize its global manufacturing footprint and increase operational efficiencies within the business,
Enerflex plans to close its manufacturing facilities in theUnited Arab Emirates andSingapore in 2023. The Company is currently assessing the costs and synergies associated with the closures, if any.
CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST DETAILS
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NON-IFRS MEASURES
Throughout this news release and other materials disclosed by the Company,
ENGINEERED SYSTEMS BOOKINGS AND BACKLOG
OPERATING INCOME
The Company defines operating income as income before income taxes, finance costs, net of interest income, equity earnings or losses, gains or losses on disposal of assets, and impairment of goodwill. Operating income assists the reader in understanding the net contributions made from the Company's core businesses after considering SG&A. Each operating segment assumes responsibility for its operating results as measured by, amongst other factors, operating income. Financing and related charges cannot be attributed to business segments on a meaningful basis that is comparable to other companies. Business segments and income tax jurisdictions are not synonymous, and it is believed that the allocation of income taxes distorts the historical comparability of the operating performance of business segments.
EBIT
EBIT provides the results generated by the Company's primary business activities prior to consideration of how those activities are financed or taxed in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates.
EBITDA
EBITDA provides the results generated by the Company's primary business activities prior to consideration of how those activities are financed, how assets are amortized, or how the results are taxed in various jurisdictions.
ADJUSTED EBITDA
The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as earnings before net finance costs and income taxes adjusted for depreciation and amortization. Further adjustments are made for items that are unique or not in the normal course of continuing operations, improving the comparability across items within the financial statements or between periods of financial statements. These adjustments include restructuring, transaction, and integration costs, share-based compensation, government grants, the impact of finance leases, and other items, which the Company does not consider to be in the normal course of continuing operations. Management believes that identification of these items allows for a better understanding of the underlying operations of the Company and increases comparability of the Company's results. Items the Company has previously considered are impairments or gains on disposal of idle facility and impairment of goodwill, which are considered to be unique, non-recurring, and non-cash transactions, that are not indicative of the ongoing normal operations of the Company. Accordingly, the Company has included these items in determining its adjusted EBITDA.
Management believes that identification of these items allows for a better understanding of the underlying operations of the Company based on its current assets and structure.
Three Months Ended | |||||
$ millions | |||||
EBIT | 44.9(2) | (44.7)(2) | 7.1 | ||
Restructuring, transaction, and integration costs | 17.8 | 56.5 | 5.7 | ||
Share-based compensation | 3.2 | 11.7 | 4.0 | ||
Depreciation and amortization | 63.1 | 62.6 | 21.9 | ||
Finance leases | (6.2 | ) | 0.1 | (3.9 | ) |
Adjusted EBITDA | 122.8 | 86.1 | 34.9 |
(1) Comparative figures represent
(2) Included in EBIT for the three months ended
DISTRIBUTABLE CASH FLOW
The Company defines distributable cash flow as cash provided by operating activities, adjusted for the net change in working capital and other, less maintenance capital expenditures and net lease payments.
Three Months Ended | ||||||
$ millions | ||||||
Cash used in operating activities | (2.6 | ) | (16.3 | ) | (22.7 | ) |
Add: | ||||||
Net change in working capital and other | 70.7 | 15.0 | 48.3 | |||
68.1 | (1.3 | ) | 25.5 | |||
Maintenance capital expenditures | (7.6 | ) | (19.7 | ) | (1.5 | ) |
Leases | (5.1 | ) | (4.8 | ) | (3.5 | ) |
Distributable cash flow | 55.5 | (25.8 | ) | 20.5 |
(1) Comparative figures represent
NET DEBT TO EBITDA
The Company defines net debt as short- and long-term debt less cash and cash equivalents at period end, which is then divided by annualized EBITDA. To assess whether the Company is compliant with the financial covenants related to its debt instruments, certain adjustments are made to net debt and EBITDA to determine
ROCE
ROCE is a measure that analyzes the operating performance and efficiency of the Company's capital allocation decisions. The ratio is calculated by dividing EBIT for the 12-month trailing period by capital employed, which is debt and equity less cash and cash equivalents based on a trailing four-quarter average.
ADVISORY REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to Management's expectations about future events, results of operations, the future performance (both financial and operational) and business prospects of
All forward-looking information in this news release is subject to important risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, which are difficult to predict and which may affect
The forward-looking information contained herein is expressly qualified in its entirety by the above cautionary statement. The forward-looking information included in this news release is made as of the date of this news release and is based only on the information available to the Company at that time, other than as required by law,
The 2023 guidance regarding the Company's future financial performance, including adjusted EBITDA, are based on assumptions about future events, including economic conditions and proposed courses of action, based on Management's assessment of the relevant information currently available. The guidance is based on the same assumptions and risk factors set forth above and is based on the Company's historical results of operations. The financial outlook or potential financial outlook set forth in this news release was approved by Management and the Board of Directors as of the date of this news release to provide investors with an estimation of the outlook for the Company for 2023, and readers are cautioned that any such financial outlook contained herein should not be used for purposes other than those for which it is disclosed herein. The prospective financial information set forth in this news release has been prepared by Management. Management believes that the prospective financial information has been prepared on a reasonable basis, reflecting Management's best estimates and judgments, and represents, to the best of Management's knowledge and opinion, the Company's expected course of action in developing and executing its business strategy relating to its business operations. Actual results may vary from the prospective financial information set forth in this news release. See above for a discussion of the risks that could cause actual results to vary. The prospective financial information set forth in this news release should not be relied on as necessarily indicative of future results.
ABOUT
Transforming Energy for a Sustainable Future.
Headquartered in
For investor and media enquiries, contact:
President & Chief Executive Officer |
Vice President, Strategy & Investor Relations |
Tel: (403) 387-6325 | Tel: (403) 717-4953 |
Source: Enerflex Ltd.