Williams Reports Fourth Quarter 2020 Financial Results

Begins 2021 Positioned for Growth, Strong Operating Results, and Further Debt Reduction

ATLANTA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Williams Industrial Services Group Inc. (NYSE American: WLMS) (“Williams” or the “Company”), a construction and maintenance services company, today reported its financial results for the fiscal fourth quarter ended December 31, 2020.

Recent Highlights

• Williams posted revenue of $64.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared with $66.8 million in the prior-year period; for the full year, revenue rose to $269.1 million from $245.8 million in 2019
• The Company reported a net loss of $1.0 million, or $(0.04) per share, in the fourth quarter versus net income of $0.2 million, or $0.01 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2019
• The 2020 fourth quarter included $1.8 million in charges related to the Company’s debt, $0.3 million of which were fees associated with the repayment of the Company’s prior credit facilities, without which earnings per share was $0.03
• The Company reported net income from continuing operations of $2.0 million, or $0.08 per share, for the full year 2020 compared to $1.0 million, or $0.05 per share, for 2019; excluding the aforementioned $1.8 million charge relating to the repayment of the Company’s prior credit facilities, earnings per share from continuing operations was $0.15 in 2020
• Adjusted EBITDA¹ was $4.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2020 compared with $4.2 million in the prior-year period and, for fiscal 2020, Adjusted EBITDA was $14.7 million compared with $12.6 million in 2019. Prior to adding back severance, professional, and other non-recurring operational expenses, EBITDA¹ was $14.3 million in 2020 compared with $9.7 million in 2019, an increase of 47%
• As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s backlog was $443.9 million compared to $494.9 million as of December 31, 2019 and $457.9 million as of September 30, 2020, with approximately $165.3 million expected to be converted to revenue over the following twelve months; Williams is currently pursuing over $500 million of high-probability potential orders in its pipeline and anticipates booking at least $300 million in additional backlog by year end
• The Company generated $17.4 million of operating cash in the fourth quarter of 2020 and reduced debt by $9.3 million

“The fourth quarter, while challenging from a revenue perspective, had several significant achievements that we believe positioned us well for 2021 and beyond,” said Tracy Pagliara, President and CEO of Williams. “Gross margins rose to 14.2%, we generated $17.4 million of cash from operations, refinanced our credit facilities, and reduced debt by $9.3 million. Adjusted for our refinancing costs, net income rose year-over-year, and we reported Adjusted EBITDA of $4.0 million for the quarter and $14.7 million for 2020 as a whole – at the high end of our guidance. Overall, I was pleased with our performance given a tough economic environment, and we began 2021 with a stronger balance sheet and increased financial flexibility.

“Since the start of the new year, we’ve uplisted to the NYSE American Stock Exchange – substantially expanding our prospective investor base – and issued guidance that builds upon our many successes in 2020. We anticipate that our continuing efforts to diversify the Company, combined with an unwavering commitment to margin expansion and cost discipline, will bolster top line growth and drive higher EBITDA going forward. With the easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions and more favorable economic conditions, our business development activities are robust, and we are optimistic about building our backlog throughout the remainder of 2021. I am also confident that, just as we persevered through many storms in 2020, we will further execute on our strategic plan and consistently improve financial results in the quarters and years to come.”

Fourth Quarter 2020 Financial Results Compared to Fourth Quarter 2019

Revenue in the fourth quarter of 2020 was $64.1 million compared with $66.8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, primarily reflecting $3.3 million of higher revenue from Canadian nuclear contracts and a $1.7 million increase related to decommissioning work, offset by a $9.7 million reduction in revenue tied to the Vogtle 3 & 4 nuclear construction project.

Gross profit was $9.1 million, or 14.2% of revenue, compared with $9.1 million, or 13.6% of revenue, in the prior-year period, with the higher margin reflecting improved business mix. Operating expenses were $6.5 million compared with $8.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, reflecting significantly lower general and administrative (G&A) expenses due to the Company’s streamlining initiatives. The fourth quarter of 2019 also included approximately $1.6 million of non-recurring severance, professional, and legal fees. The Company’s operating margin rose to 4.0% from 0.9% in the prior-year fourth quarter, reflecting the improvement in gross margin year-over-year and lower G&A. Interest expense was $1.4 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 versus $1.5 million in 2019.

On December 17, 2020, the Company announced that it had entered into new credit agreements as follows: (a) a $50.0 million term loan facility with Energy Impact Credit Fund (an affiliate of Energy Impact Partners), CION Investment Corporation, and CrowdOut Capital, which consists of a $35.0 million initial term loan and a $15.0 million delayed draw facility; and (b) a $30.0 million revolving credit facility with PNC Bank. As part of this refinancing, Williams booked a $1.5 million loss on the repayment of its prior credit agreements. Interest expense in fiscal 2021 is expected to be approximately $1.5 million lower than in 2020.

The Company reported a net loss of $1.0 million, or $(0.04) per share, in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared with net income of $0.2 million, or $0.01 per share, in the prior-year period. Excluding the aforementioned refinancing costs, the Company’s earnings per share was $0.03 in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Balance Sheet

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had $9.2 million of cash (including restricted cash) and $32.1 million of bank debt compared with $7.8 million of cash and $44.2 million of bank debt as of December 31, 2019. Debt was reduced by $9.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 – and by $12.1 million for fiscal 2020 as a whole – and the Company anticipates using its cash generation, supported by its significant net operating losses (NOLs), to further lower indebtedness in 2021.

Backlog

Total backlog as of December 31, 2020 was $443.9 million compared with $494.9 million at December 31, 2019 and $457.9 million as of September 30, 2020. The Company recognized revenue of $64.1 million in the fourth quarter, booked new awards of $37.4 million, and saw net adjustments and cancellations of $12.6 million, primarily reflecting work scope expansion.

Williams estimates that approximately $165.3 million, or 37.2%, of total backlog will be converted to revenue in the following twelve months. This compares with $191.3 million of backlog at December 31, 2019 and $166.7 million of backlog at September 30, 2020 that the Company anticipated would be converted to revenue over the succeeding twelve-month period.

Outlook

The Company reaffirmed previous guidance (issued February 8, 2021) for the current fiscal year.

The Company expects that, as has been historically the case, that its first quarter will represent the lightest quarter in its 2021 results.

Webcast and Teleconference

The Company will host a conference call today, March 31, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. A webcast of the call and an accompanying slide presentation will be available at www.wisgrp.com. To access the conference call by telephone, listeners should dial 201-493-6780.

An audio replay of the call will be available later that day by dialing 412-317-6671 and entering conference ID number 13715809; alternatively, a webcast replay can be found at http://ir.wisgrp.com/, where a transcript will be posted once available.

About Williams

Williams Industrial Services Group has been safely helping plant owners and operators enhance asset value for more than 50 years. The Company provides a broad range of construction, maintenance and modification, and support services to customers in energy and industrial end markets. Williams’ mission is to be the preferred provider of construction, maintenance, and specialty services through commitment to superior safety performance, focus on innovation, and dedication to delivering unsurpassed value to its customers.

Additional information about Williams can be found on its website: www.wisgrp.com.

Forward-looking Statement Disclaimer

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the term set forth in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements include statements or expectations regarding the Company’s ability to perform in accordance with guidance, realize opportunities and successfully achieve its growth and strategic initiatives, including diversifying the Company, increasing its margins and managing costs, future demand for the Company’s services, expectations regarding future contract awards, revenues, Adjusted EBITDA and positive cash flow and other related matters. These statements reflect the Company’s current views of future events and financial performance and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, some of which have been, and may further be, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the Company’s level of indebtedness and ability to make payments on, and satisfy the financial and other covenants contained in, its debt facilities; its ability to engage in certain transactions and activities due to limitations and covenants contained in such facilities; its ability to generate sufficient cash resources to continue funding operations and the possibility that it may be unable to obtain any additional funding as needed or incur losses from operations in the future; exposure to market risks from changes in interest rates; failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures; the Company’s ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, skilled workers, and key officers; failure to successfully implement or realize its business strategies, plans and objectives of management, and liquidity, operating and growth initiatives and opportunities, including its expansion into international markets; the loss of one or more of its significant customers; its competitive position; market outlook and trends in the Company’s industry, including the possibility of reduced investment in, or increased regulation of, nuclear power plants, declines in public infrastructure construction and reductions in government funding; costs exceeding estimates the Company uses to set fixed-price contracts; harm to the Company’s reputation or profitability due to, among other things, internal operational issues, poor subcontractor performances or subcontractor insolvency; potential insolvency or financial distress of third parties, including customers and suppliers; the Company’s contract backlog and related amounts to be recognized as revenue; its ability to maintain its safety record, the risks of potential liability and adequacy of insurance; adverse changes in the Company’s relationships with suppliers, vendors, and subcontractors; compliance with environmental, health, safety and other related laws and regulations; limitations or modifications to indemnification regulations of the U.S. or Canada; the Company’s expected financial condition, future cash flows, results of operations and future capital and other expenditures; the impact of general economic conditions including the current economic disruption and any recession resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows; the potential for additional COVID-19 cases to occur at the Company’s active or future job sites, which potentially could impact cost and labor availability; information technology vulnerabilities and cyberattacks on the Company’s networks; the Company’s failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, those relating to privacy and anti-bribery; the Company’s participation in multiemployer pension plans; the impact of any disruptions resulting from the expiration of collective bargaining agreements; the impact of natural disasters and other severe catastrophic events (such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic); the impact of changes in tax regulations and laws, including future income tax payments and utilization of net operating loss and foreign tax credit carryforwards; volatility of the market price for the Company’s common stock; the Company’s ability to maintain its stock exchange listing; the effects of anti-takeover provisions in the Company’s organizational documents and Delaware law; the impact of future offerings or sales of the Company’s common stock on the market price of such stock; expected outcomes of legal or regulatory proceedings and their anticipated effects on the Company’s results of operations; and any other statements regarding future growth, future cash needs, future operations, business plans and future financial results.

Other important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements are discussed in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the section of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for its 2020 fiscal year titled “Risk Factors.” Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this press release. Except as may be required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, and you are cautioned not to rely upon them unduly.

Financial Tables Follow

Contacts

Investor Contact:
Chris Witty

Darrow Associates

646-345-0998

cwitty@darrowir.com

Read full story here