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Blue Bird Reports Fiscal 2024 Third Quarter Record Results; Raises 2024 Guidance and Long-Term Outlook

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Blue Bird (Nasdaq: BLBD) reported strong fiscal 2024 third quarter results, with net sales up 13% to $333 million and GAAP net income increasing by $19 million to $29 million. The company achieved a record quarterly Adjusted EBITDA of $48 million, up $19 million, with 2,151 buses sold. Based on these results, Blue Bird has raised its FY2024 Adjusted EBITDA guidance to $175 million or 13% of revenue. The company also increased its long-term Adjusted EBITDA margin outlook to 15%.

Blue Bird saw strong growth in electric bus orders, delivering over 200 electric-powered buses this quarter, nearly 40% more than last year. The company's order backlog stands at over 5,200 units, including over 560 EV orders from the EPA's Clean School Bus Program.

Blue Bird (Nasdaq: BLBD) ha riportato risultati solidi per il terzo trimestre fiscale 2024, con vendite nette in aumento del 13%, raggiungendo i 333 milioni di dollari e un reddito netto GAAP aumentato di 19 milioni di dollari, arrivando a 29 milioni di dollari. L'azienda ha raggiunto un record trimestrale di EBITDA rettificato di 48 milioni di dollari, in aumento di 19 milioni, con 2.151 autobus venduti. Sulla base di questi risultati, Blue Bird ha alzado la sua guida per l'EBITDA rettificato per l'anno fiscale 2024 a 175 milioni di dollari, pari al 13% delle entrate. L'azienda ha anche incrementato le sue previsioni per il margine di EBITDA rettificato a lungo termine al 15%.

Blue Bird ha visto una forte crescita negli ordini di autobus elettrici, consegnando oltre 200 autobus a batteria in questo trimestre, quasi il 40% in più rispetto all'anno scorso. L'azienda ha un portafoglio ordini di oltre 5.200 unità, comprese oltre 560 richieste di autobus elettrici dal Programma di Autobus Scolastici Puliti dell'EPA.

Blue Bird (Nasdaq: BLBD) reportó resultados sólidos para el tercer trimestre fiscal de 2024, con ventas netas que aumentaron un 13% hasta alcanzar los 333 millones de dólares y un ingreso neto GAAP que creció en 19 millones de dólares, alcanzando los 29 millones. La compañía logró un nuevo récord trimestral de EBITDA ajustado de 48 millones de dólares, un incremento de 19 millones, con 2,151 autobuses vendidos. Con base en estos resultados, Blue Bird ha elevado su guía de EBITDA ajustado para el año fiscal 2024 a 175 millones de dólares, o el 13% de los ingresos. La compañía también incrementó su perspectiva de margen de EBITDA ajustado a largo plazo al 15%.

Blue Bird experimentó un fuerte crecimiento en los pedidos de autobuses eléctricos, entregando más de 200 autobuses eléctricos en este trimestre, casi un 40% más que el año pasado. El backlog de pedidos de la compañía asciende a más de 5,200 unidades, incluyendo más de 560 pedidos de autobuses eléctricos del Programa de Autobuses Escolares Limpios de la EPA.

블루버드 (Nasdaq: BLBD)는 2024 회계 연도 3분기 강력한 실적을 보고했습니다. 순매출이 13% 증가하여 3억 3천 3백만 달러에 달하고 GAAP 순이익이 1천 9백만 달러 증가하여 2천 9백만 달러에 도달했습니다. 이 회사는 48백만 달러의 조정 EBITDA라는 분기 기록을 달성했으며 이는 1천 9백만 달러 증가한 수치로, 2,151 대의 버스가 판매되었습니다. 이러한 실적을 바탕으로 블루버드는 2024 회계 연도를 위한 조정 EBITDA 가이드를 1억 7천 5백만 달러로 상향 조정했습니다, 이는 수익의 13%에 해당합니다. 또한 이 회사는 장기 조정 EBITDA 마진 전망을 15%로 증가시켰습니다.

블루버드는 전기 버스 주문의 강력한 성장을 보였으며, 이번 분기에 200대 이상의 전기 버스를 배송하여 지난해보다 거의 40% 증가했습니다. 회사의 주문 잔고는 5,200대 이상이며, EPA의 클린 스쿨 버스 프로그램으로부터 560대 이상의 전기차 주문이 포함되어 있습니다.

Blue Bird (Nasdaq: BLBD) a annoncé de solides résultats pour le troisième trimestre de l'exercice 2024, avec un chiffre d'affaires net en hausse de 13% à 333 millions de dollars et un revenu net GAAP augmentant de 19 millions de dollars pour atteindre 29 millions de dollars. L'entreprise a atteint un record trimestriel d'EBITDA ajusté de 48 millions de dollars, en hausse de 19 millions, avec 2 151 bus vendus. Sur la base de ces résultats, Blue Bird a rehaussé ses prévisions d'EBITDA ajusté pour l'exercice 2024 à 175 millions de dollars, soit 13% des revenus. L'entreprise a également augmenté ses prévisions de marge d'EBITDA ajusté à long terme à 15%.

Blue Bird a connu une forte croissance des commandes de bus électriques, livrant plus de 200 bus électriques ce trimestre, soit près de 40% de plus que l'année précédente. Le carnet de commandes de l'entreprise dépasse 5 200 unités, y compris plus de 560 commandes de véhicules électriques provenant du programme de bus scolaires propres de l'EPA.

Blue Bird (Nasdaq: BLBD) berichtete über starke Ergebnisse für das dritte Quartal des Geschäftsjahres 2024, mit einem Umsatzanstieg von 13% auf 333 Millionen Dollar und einem Anstieg des GAAP-Nettoeinkommens um 19 Millionen Dollar auf 29 Millionen Dollar. Das Unternehmen erzielte ein Rekordergebnis von 48 Millionen Dollar bei bereinigtem EBITDA, was einem Anstieg von 19 Millionen entspricht, bei dem 2.151 Busse verkauft wurden. Basierend auf diesen Ergebnissen hat Blue Bird seinen Ausblick für das bereinigte EBITDA im Geschäftsjahr 2024 auf 175 Millionen Dollar angehoben, was 13% des Umsatzes entspricht. Das Unternehmen hat auch seine langfristige Prognose für die bereinigte EBITDA-Marge auf 15% angehoben.

Blue Bird verzeichnete ein starkes Wachstum bei den Bestellungen von Elektro-Bussen und lieferte in diesem Quartal über 200 elektrisch betriebene Busse aus, was fast 40% mehr als im Vorjahr entspricht. Der Auftragsbestand des Unternehmens liegt bei über 5.200 Einheiten, darunter über 560 Aufträge für Elektrofahrzeuge aus dem sauberen Schulbusprogramm der EPA.

Positive
  • Net sales increased 13% to $333 million in Q3 2024
  • GAAP net income rose by $19 million to $29 million
  • Record quarterly Adjusted EBITDA of $48 million, up $19 million
  • FY2024 Adjusted EBITDA guidance raised to $175 million (13% of revenue)
  • Long-term Adjusted EBITDA margin outlook increased to 15%
  • Electric bus orders grew, with over 200 delivered (40% increase YoY)
  • Strong order backlog of over 5,200 units, including 560+ EV orders
Negative
  • Supply chain constraints continue to impact production and delivery
  • Increased inventory costs due to inflationary pressures and supply chain disruptions

Insights

Blue Bird's Q3 FY2024 results are highly positive, showing strong financial performance and improved outlook. Key highlights include:

  • Net sales increased 13% to $333.4 million
  • GAAP Net Income rose by $19.4 million to $28.7 million
  • Record quarterly Adjusted EBITDA of $48.2 million, up $18.6 million
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin of 14.5%

The company has raised its FY2024 guidance, projecting Adjusted EBITDA of $175 million or 13% of revenue. Long-term outlook is also improved, with Adjusted EBITDA margin expected to reach 15%. These results demonstrate Blue Bird's successful business transformation and strong market position in the school bus industry, particularly in electric and low-emission vehicles.

Blue Bird's Q3 results reflect robust market demand and strategic positioning in the alternative-powered school bus segment. Key market insights include:

  • Strong backlog of over 5,200 units indicates sustained demand
  • Electric bus deliveries up 40% year-over-year
  • Over 560 EV orders in backlog from EPA's Clean School Bus Program
  • $2 billion in additional funding expected from Phases 2 and 3 of the program

The company's focus on electric and low-emission buses aligns well with growing environmental concerns and government initiatives. The $5 billion Clean School Bus Program presents a significant growth opportunity for Blue Bird through 2026. However, ongoing supply chain challenges and inflationary pressures remain factors to watch, potentially impacting production capacity and margins in the short term.

Blue Bird's leadership in alternative-powered school buses, particularly EVs, positions it well in the evolving transportation technology landscape. Key tech-related points:

  • Delivered over 200 electric-powered buses in Q3, a 40% year-over-year increase
  • Strong growth in EV orders from the EPA's Clean School Bus Program
  • Continued focus on expanding alternative-powered bus offerings

The company's commitment to electric and low-emission vehicles aligns with global trends towards sustainable transportation. This technological shift presents both opportunities and challenges. While Blue Bird benefits from increased demand for cleaner technologies, it must also manage the complexities of EV production, including battery supply chains and charging infrastructure. The company's ability to scale EV production efficiently will be important for maintaining its market leadership and capitalizing on the growing demand for electric school buses.

Net Sales of $333M, up 13% and GAAP Net Income of $29M, up $19M

Record Quarterly Adj. EBITDA of $48M, up $19M with 2,151 Buses Sold

FY2024 Adj. EBITDA Guidance Raised to $175M or 13% of Revenue

Long-Term Adj. EBITDA Margin Outlook Raised to 15%

MACON, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Blue Bird Corporation (“Blue Bird”) (Nasdaq: BLBD), the leader in electric and low-emission school buses, announced today its fiscal 2024 third quarter results.

Highlights

(in millions except Unit Sales and EPS data)

Three Months Ended

June 29, 2024

 

B/(W)

Prior Year

 

Nine Months Ended

June 29, 2024

 

B/(W)

Prior Year

Unit Sales

 

2,151

 

 

14

 

 

6,534

 

 

136

GAAP Measures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

$

333.4

 

$

39.1

 

$

996.9

 

$

167.1

Net Income

$

28.7

 

$

19.4

 

$

80.9

 

$

75.7

Diluted EPS

$

0.85

 

$

0.56

 

$

2.43

 

$

2.27

Non-GAAP Measures1:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

$

48.2

 

$

18.6

 

$

141.6

 

$

94.4

Adjusted Net Income

$

30.5

 

$

16.1

 

$

89.5

 

$

76.4

Adjusted Diluted EPS

$

0.91

 

$

0.47

 

$

2.69

 

$

2.28

1

Reconciliation to relevant GAAP metrics shown below

 

“I am incredibly proud of our team’s achievements in delivering another outstanding result and record profit in the third quarter,” said Phil Horlock, CEO of Blue Bird Corporation. “The Blue Bird team continued to exceed expectations, improving operations, driving new orders, and expanding our leadership in alternative-powered buses. Market demand remains very strong with over 5,200 units in our order backlog. Unit sales were up slightly from last year, revenue grew by 13% to $333 million, and Adjusted EBITDA hit a record $48 million with a 14.5% margin.

“In our push to expand our leadership in alternative-powered school buses, we delivered over 200 electric-powered buses this quarter, nearly 40% more than last year. We also saw strong growth in EV orders from the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, ending the quarter with over 560 EV orders in our backlog. Following the nearly $1 billion funding from Phase 1 of the $5 billion program, we’re excited for new EV orders over the next year from Phases 2 and 3, which provide another $2 billion in funding. These buses need to be delivered by the end of 2026, and we’re working aggressively with our dealers and school districts, confident in the continued, exciting growth ahead for Blue Bird.

“Based on our strong year-to-date performance, we’ve increased our full-year financial guidance for Adjusted EBITDA to $175 million, with a 13% margin. This will be an all-time full-year record for Blue Bird, and we look forward to sustained profitable growth in the coming years, particularly as the global supply-chain recovery progresses.”

FY2024 Guidance Increased and Long-Term Outlook Raised

“We are very pleased with the third quarter results, with the highest ever quarterly Adj. EBITDA,” said Razvan Radulescu, CFO of Blue Bird Corporation. “Our business transformation continues to yield great results, and ahead of the plan we have been messaging. We are raising our full-year guidance for Net Revenue to $1.30-1.33 Billion, Adj. EBITDA to $170-180 million (13.1% - 13.5% margin) and Adj. Free Cash Flow to $80-90 million. Additionally, we are raising our long-term profit outlook towards an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 15% on ~$2 billion in revenues.”

Fiscal 2024 Third Quarter Results

Net Sales
Net sales were $333.4 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2024, an increase of $39.1 million, or 13.3%, from the third quarter of last year. Bus sales increased $37.8 million, reflecting a 13.2% increase in average sales price per unit, resulting from pricing actions taken by management as well as product and customer mix changes, as well as a 0.7% increase in units booked. In the third quarter of fiscal 2024, 2,151 units were booked compared with 2,137 units booked for the same period in fiscal 2023. The small increase in units sold was primarily due to customer and product mix changes, although both quarters were negatively impacted by supply chain constraints that limited the Company's ability to produce and deliver buses due to shortages of critical components. Additionally, Parts sales increased $1.3 million, or 5.5%, for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 compared with the third quarter of fiscal 2023. This increase is primarily attributed to price increases, driven by ongoing inflationary pressures, as well as higher fulfillment volumes and slight variations due to product and channel mix.

Gross Profit
Third quarter gross profit of $69.4 million represented an increase of $23.6 million from the third quarter of last year. The increase was primarily driven by the $39.1 million increase in net sales, discussed above, and partially offset by an increase of $15.5 million in cost of goods sold. The increase in cost of goods sold was primarily driven by increased inventory costs, as the average cost of goods sold per unit for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 was 5.8% higher compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2023, primarily due to increases in manufacturing costs attributable to a) increased raw materials costs resulting from ongoing inflationary pressures and b) ongoing supply chain disruptions that resulted in higher purchase costs for components.

Net Income
Net income was $28.7 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2024, which was a $19.4 million increase from the third quarter of last year. The increase was primarily driven by the $23.6 million increase in gross profit, discussed above. Partially offsetting this was the corresponding $8.1 million increase in income tax expense.

Adjusted Net Income
Adjusted net income was $30.5 million, representing an increase of $16.1 million compared with the same period last year, primarily due to the $19.4 million increase in net income, discussed above.

Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA was $48.2 million, which was an increase of $18.6 million compared with the third quarter last year. This increase primarily results from the $19.4 million increase in net income as a result of the factors discussed above.

Fiscal 2024 Year-to-Date Results

Net Sales
Net sales were $996.9 million for the nine months ended June 29, 2024, an increase of $167.1 million, or 20.1%, compared with the same period in fiscal 2023. Bus sales increased $162.4 million, or 21.5%, reflecting a 18.9% increase in average sales price per unit, primarily driven by pricing actions taken by management in response to increased inventory purchase costs, and a 2.1% increase in units booked. There were 6,534 units booked in the nine months ended June 29, 2024 compared with 6,398 units booked during the same period in fiscal 2023. The increase in units sold was primarily due to slight improvements in supply chain constraints impacting the Company's ability to produce and deliver buses due to shortages of critical components during the first nine months of fiscal 2024 relative to the same period in fiscal 2023. Parts sales increased $4.7 million, or 6.4%, for the nine months ended June 29, 2024 compared with the nine months ended July 1, 2023. This increase is primarily attributed to price increases, driven by ongoing inflationary pressures, as well as higher fulfillment volumes and slight variations due to product and channel mix.

Gross Profit
Gross profit for the nine months ended June 29, 2024 was $196.6 million, an increase of $107.7 million compared with the same period in the prior year. The increase was primarily driven by the $167.1 million increase in net sales, discussed above. This was partially offset by an increase of $59.4 million in cost of goods sold, primarily driven by the 2.1% increase in units booked and increased inventory costs, as the average cost of goods sold per unit for the nine months ended June 29, 2024 was 6.1% higher compared to the nine months ended July 1, 2023, primarily due to increases in manufacturing costs attributable to a) increased raw materials costs resulting from ongoing inflationary pressures and b) ongoing supply chain disruptions that resulted in higher purchase costs for components.

Net Income
Net income was $80.9 million for the nine months ended June 29, 2024, which was a $75.7 million increase from the same period in the prior year. The increase in net income was primarily driven by the $107.7 million increase in gross profit, discussed above. This was partially offset by a corresponding $26.4 million increase in income tax expense.

Adjusted Net Income
Adjusted net income for the nine months ended June 29, 2024 was $89.5 million, an increase of $76.4 million compared with the same period last year, primarily due to the $75.7 million increase in net income, discussed above.

Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA was $141.6 million for the nine months ended June 29, 2024, an increase of $94.4 million compared with the same period in the prior year. This is primarily due to the $75.7 million increase in net income, discussed above, and the corresponding $26.4 million increase in income tax expense.

Conference Call Details

Blue Bird will discuss its third quarter 2024 results in a conference call at 4:30 PM ET today. Participants may listen to the audio portion of the conference call either through a live audio webcast on the Company's website or by telephone. The slide presentation and webcast can be accessed via the Investor Relations portion of Blue Bird's website at www.blue-bird.com.

  • Webcast participants should log on and register at least 15 minutes prior to the start time on the Investor Relations homepage of Blue Bird’s website at http://investors.blue-bird.com. Click the link in the events box on the Investor Relations landing page.
  • Participants desiring audio only should dial 404-975-4839 or 833-470-1428

A replay of the webcast will be available approximately two hours after the call concludes via the same link on Blue Bird’s website.

About Blue Bird Corporation

Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD) is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927. Our dedicated team members design, engineer and manufacture school buses with a singular focus on safety, reliability, and durability. School buses carry the most precious cargo in the world – 25 million children twice a day – making them the most trusted mode of student transportation. The company is the proven leader in low- and zero-emission school buses with more than 20,000 propane, natural gas, and electric powered buses in operation today. Blue Bird is transforming the student transportation industry through cleaner energy solutions. For more information on Blue Bird's complete product and service portfolio, visit www.blue-bird.com.

Key Non-GAAP Financial Measures We Use to Evaluate Our Performance

This press release includes the following non-GAAP financial measures “Adjusted EBITDA,” "Adjusted EBITDA Margin," "Adjusted Net Income," "Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share," “Free Cash Flow” and “Adjusted Free Cash Flow”. Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow are financial metrics that are utilized by management and the board of directors, as and when applicable, to determine (a) the annual cash bonus payouts, if any, to be made to certain employees based upon the terms of the Company’s Management Incentive Plan, and (b) whether the performance criteria have been met for the vesting of certain equity awards granted annually to certain members of management based upon the terms of the Company’s Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan. Additionally, consolidated EBITDA, which is an adjusted EBITDA metric defined by our Amended Credit Agreement that could differ from Adjusted EBITDA discussed above as the adjustments to the calculations are not uniform, is used to determine the Company's ongoing compliance with several financial covenant requirements, including being utilized in the denominator of the calculation of the Total Net Leverage Ratio. Accordingly, management views these non-GAAP financial metrics as key for the above purposes and as a useful way to evaluate the performance of our operations as discussed further below.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income or loss prior to interest income; interest expense including the component of operating lease expense (which is presented as a single operating expense in selling, general and administrative expenses in our U.S. GAAP financial statements) that represents interest expense on lease liabilities; income taxes; and depreciation and amortization including the component of operating lease expense (which is presented as a single operating expense in selling, general and administrative expenses in our U.S. GAAP financial statements) that represents amortization charges on right-of-use lease assets; as adjusted for certain non-cash charges or credits that we may record on a recurring basis such as share-based compensation expense and unrealized gains or losses on certain derivative financial instruments; net gains or losses on the disposal of assets as well as certain charges such as (i) significant product design changes; (ii) transaction related costs; or (iii) discrete expenses related to major cost cutting and/or operational transformation initiatives. While certain of the charges that are added back in the Adjusted EBITDA calculation, such as transaction related costs and operational transformation and major product redesign initiatives, represent operating expenses that may be recorded in more than one annual period, the significant project or transaction giving rise to such expenses is not considered to be indicative of the Company’s normal operations. Accordingly, we believe that these, as well as the other credits and charges that comprise the amounts utilized in the determination of Adjusted EBITDA described above, should not be used in evaluating the Company’s ongoing annual operating performance.

We define Adjusted EBITDA Margin as Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are not measures of performance defined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The measures are used as a supplement to U.S. GAAP results in evaluating certain aspects of our business, as described below.

We believe that Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted Net Income, and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share are useful to investors in evaluating our performance because the measures consider the performance of our ongoing operations, excluding decisions made with respect to capital investment, financing, and certain other significant initiatives or transactions as outlined in the preceding paragraph. We believe the non-GAAP measures offer additional financial metrics that, when coupled with the GAAP results and the reconciliation to GAAP results, provide a more complete understanding of our results of operations and the factors and trends affecting our business.

Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share should not be considered as alternatives to net income or GAAP earnings per share as an indicator of our performance or as alternatives to any other measure prescribed by GAAP as there are limitations to using such non-GAAP measures. Although we believe the non-GAAP measures may enhance an evaluation of our operating performance based on recent revenue generation and product/overhead cost control because they exclude the impact of prior decisions made about capital investment, financing, and other expenses, (i) other companies in Blue Bird’s industry may define Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted Net Income, and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share differently than we do and, as a result, they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies in Blue Bird’s industry, and (ii) Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted Net Income, and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share exclude certain financial information that some may consider important in evaluating our performance.

We compensate for these limitations by providing disclosure of the differences between Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted Net Income, and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share and GAAP results, including providing a reconciliation to GAAP results, to enable investors to perform their own analysis of our operating results.

Our measures of “Free Cash Flow” and "Adjusted Free Cash Flow" are used in addition to and in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP and free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow should not be relied upon to the exclusion of GAAP financial measures. Free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow reflect an additional way of viewing our liquidity that, when viewed with our GAAP results, provides a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our cash flows. We strongly encourage investors to review our financial statements and publicly-filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.

We define Free Cash Flow as total cash provided by/used in operating activities as adjusted for net cash paid for the acquisition of fixed assets and intangible assets. We use Free Cash Flow, and ratios based on Free Cash Flow, to conduct and evaluate our business because, although it is similar to cash flow from operations, we believe it is a more conservative measure of cash flow since purchases of fixed assets and intangible assets are a necessary component of ongoing operations.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements relate to expectations for future financial performance, business strategies or expectations for our business. Specifically, forward-looking statements include statements in this press release regarding guidance, seasonality, product mix and gross profits and may include statements relating to:

  • Inherent limitations of internal controls impacting financial statements
  • Growth opportunities
  • Future profitability
  • Ability to expand market share
  • Customer demand for certain products
  • Economic conditions (including tariffs) that could affect fuel costs, commodity costs, industry size and financial conditions of our dealers and suppliers
  • Labor or other constraints on the Company’s ability to maintain a competitive cost structure
  • Volatility in the tax base and other funding sources that support the purchase of buses by our end customers
  • Lower or higher than anticipated market acceptance for our products
  • Other statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “target” or similar expressions

These forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this press release, and current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and involve a number of judgments, risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date, and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. The factors described above, as well as risk factors described in reports filed with the SEC by us (available at www.sec.gov), could cause our actual results to differ materially from estimates or expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements.

 
 
 

BLUE BIRD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
 

 

(in thousands of dollars, except for share data)

June 29, 2024

 

September 30, 2023

Assets

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

88,416

 

 

$

78,988

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

34,006

 

 

 

12,574

 

Inventories

 

144,537

 

 

 

135,286

 

Other current assets

 

8,738

 

 

 

9,215

 

Total current assets

$

275,697

 

 

$

236,063

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

$

97,608

 

 

$

95,101

 

Goodwill

 

18,825

 

 

 

18,825

 

Intangible assets, net

 

44,022

 

 

 

45,424

 

Equity investment in affiliate

 

28,715

 

 

 

17,619

 

Deferred tax assets

 

 

 

 

2,182

 

Finance lease right-of-use assets

 

507

 

 

 

1,034

 

Other assets

 

2,696

 

 

 

1,518

 

Total assets

$

468,070

 

 

$

417,766

 

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$

128,144

 

 

$

137,140

 

Warranty

 

6,796

 

 

 

6,711

 

Accrued expenses

 

36,817

 

 

 

32,894

 

Deferred warranty income

 

9,075

 

 

 

8,101

 

Finance lease obligations

 

1,124

 

 

 

583

 

Other current liabilities

 

10,618

 

 

 

24,391

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

5,000

 

 

 

19,800

 

Total current liabilities

$

197,574

 

 

$

229,620

 

Long-term liabilities

 

 

 

Revolving credit facility

$

 

 

$

 

Long-term debt

 

91,158

 

 

 

110,544

 

Warranty

 

8,700

 

 

 

8,723

 

Deferred warranty income

 

17,978

 

 

 

15,022

 

Deferred tax liabilities

 

4,620

 

 

 

2,513

 

Finance lease obligations

 

6

 

 

 

987

 

Other liabilities

 

8,757

 

 

 

7,955

 

Pension

 

1,994

 

 

 

2,404

 

Total long-term liabilities

$

133,213

 

 

$

148,148

 

Guarantees, commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

Stockholders' equity

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 0 shares outstanding at June 29, 2024 and September 30, 2023

$

 

 

$

 

Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 32,331,161 and 32,165,225 shares outstanding at June 29, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively

 

3

 

 

 

3

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

193,869

 

 

 

177,861

 

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)

 

25,184

 

 

 

(55,700

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(31,491

)

 

 

(31,884

)

Treasury stock, at cost, 1,782,568 shares at June 29, 2024 and September 30, 2023

 

(50,282

)

 

 

(50,282

)

Total stockholders' equity

$

137,283

 

 

$

39,998

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

468,070

 

 

$

417,766

 

 
 
 
 

BLUE BIRD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

(in thousands of dollars except for share data)

June 29, 2024

 

July 1, 2023

 

June 29, 2024

 

July 1, 2023

Net sales

$

333,367

 

 

$

294,284

 

 

$

996,942

 

 

$

829,830

 

Cost of goods sold

 

264,014

 

 

 

248,534

 

 

 

800,392

 

 

 

740,974

 

Gross profit

$

69,353

 

 

$

45,750

 

 

$

196,550

 

 

$

88,856

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

29,625

 

 

 

26,328

 

 

 

82,798

 

 

 

66,365

 

Operating profit

$

39,728

 

 

$

19,422

 

 

$

113,752

 

 

$

22,491

 

Interest expense

 

(2,107

)

 

 

(4,507

)

 

 

(8,550

)

 

 

(13,895

)

Interest income

 

990

 

 

 

246

 

 

 

3,132

 

 

 

258

 

Other expense, net

 

(2,729

)

 

 

(6,421

)

 

 

(5,918

)

 

 

(6,999

)

Loss on debt refinancing or modification

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,558

)

 

 

(537

)

Income before income taxes

$

35,882

 

 

$

8,740

 

 

$

100,858

 

 

$

1,318

 

Income tax expense

 

(9,938

)

 

 

(1,884

)

 

 

(26,645

)

 

 

(292

)

Equity in net income of non-consolidated affiliate

 

2,767

 

 

 

2,502

 

 

 

6,671

 

 

 

4,168

 

Net income

$

28,711

 

 

$

9,358

 

 

$

80,884

 

 

$

5,194

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

32,305,396

 

 

 

32,073,497

 

 

 

32,238,805

 

 

 

32,044,581

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

33,653,447

 

 

 

32,598,938

 

 

 

33,222,354

 

 

 

32,335,381

 

Basic earnings per share

$

0.89

 

 

$

0.29

 

 

$

2.51

 

 

$

0.16

 

Diluted earnings per share

$

0.85

 

 

$

0.29

 

 

$

2.43

 

 

$

0.16

 

 
 
 
 

BLUE BIRD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

(in thousands of dollars)

June 29, 2024

 

July 1, 2023

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

Net income

$

80,884

 

 

$

5,194

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

10,913

 

 

 

12,077

 

Non-cash interest expense

 

305

 

 

 

1,124

 

Share-based compensation expense

 

7,017

 

 

 

2,229

 

Equity in net income of non-consolidated affiliate

 

(6,671

)

 

 

(4,168

)

Dividend from equity investment in affiliate

 

2,991

 

 

 

 

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

 

33

 

 

 

13

 

Deferred income tax expense

 

4,165

 

 

 

522

 

Amortization of deferred actuarial pension losses

 

516

 

 

 

896

 

Loss on debt refinancing or modification

 

1,558

 

 

 

537

 

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(21,432

)

 

 

1,105

 

Inventories

 

(9,251

)

 

 

13,808

 

Other assets

 

680

 

 

 

(228

)

Accounts payable

 

(9,961

)

 

 

27,953

 

Accrued expenses, pension and other liabilities

 

(5,987

)

 

 

23,069

 

Total adjustments

$

(25,124

)

 

$

78,937

 

Total cash provided by operating activities

$

55,760

 

 

$

84,131

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

Cash paid for fixed assets

$

(10,137

)

 

$

(6,390

)

Total cash used in investing activities

$

(10,137

)

 

$

(6,390

)

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

Revolving credit facility borrowings

$

36,220

 

 

$

45,000

 

Revolving credit facility repayments

 

(36,220

)

 

 

(65,000

)

Term loan borrowings - new credit agreement

 

100,000

 

 

 

 

Term loan repayments

 

(134,300

)

 

 

(14,850

)

Principal payments on finance leases

 

(440

)

 

 

(425

)

Cash paid for debt costs

 

(3,128

)

 

 

(3,272

)

Repurchase of common stock in connection with stock award exercises

 

(301

)

 

 

(57

)

Cash received from stock option exercises

 

1,974

 

 

 

1,119

 

Total cash used in financing activities

$

(36,195

)

 

$

(37,485

)

Change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

 

9,428

 

 

 

40,256

 

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period

 

78,988

 

 

 

10,479

 

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period

$

88,416

 

 

$

50,735

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information

 

 

 

Cash paid or received during the period:

 

 

 

Interest paid, net of interest received

$

4,725

 

 

$

12,202

 

Income tax paid (received), net of tax refunds

 

18,856

 

 

 

(33

)

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

Changes in accounts payable for capital additions to property, plant and equipment

$

2,336

 

 

$

745

 

Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations

 

1,682

 

 

 

199

 

Warrants issued for equity investment in affiliate

 

7,416

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

(in thousands of dollars)

June 29, 2024

 

July 1, 2023

 

June 29, 2024

 

July 1, 2023

Net income

$

28,711

 

 

$

9,358

 

 

$

80,884

 

 

$

5,194

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net (1)

 

1,214

 

 

 

4,353

 

 

 

5,729

 

 

 

13,923

 

Income tax expense

 

9,938

 

 

 

1,884

 

 

 

26,645

 

 

 

292

 

Depreciation, amortization, and disposals (2)

 

4,055

 

 

 

5,481

 

 

 

12,253

 

 

 

13,477

 

Operational transformation initiatives

 

 

 

 

196

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,133

 

Share-based compensation expense

 

2,474

 

 

 

941

 

 

 

7,017

 

 

 

2,229

 

Stockholder transaction costs

 

 

 

 

5,509

 

 

 

3,154

 

 

 

6,252

 

Loss on debt refinancing or modification

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,558

 

 

 

537

 

Other

 

2

 

 

 

293

 

 

 

(81

)

 

 

574

 

Subtotal (Adjusted EBITDA as previously presented)

$

46,394

 

 

$

28,015

 

 

$

137,159

 

 

$

43,611

 

Micro Bird Holdings, Inc. total interest expense, net; income tax expense or benefit; depreciation expense and amortization expense

 

1,852

 

 

 

1,650

 

 

 

4,442

 

 

 

3,606

 

Adjusted EBITDA

$

48,246

 

 

$

29,665

 

 

$

141,601

 

 

$

47,217

 

Adjusted EBITDA margin (percentage of net sales)

 

14.5

%

 

 

10.1

%

 

 

14.2

%

 

 

5.7

%

___________________

(1)

Includes $0.1 million for both the three months ended June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023, and $0.3 million for both the nine months ended June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023, representing interest expense on operating lease liabilities, which are a component of lease expense and presented as a single operating expense in selling, general and administrative expenses on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

(2)

Includes $0.3 million and $0.5 million for the three months ended June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023, respectively, and $1.3 million for both the nine months ended June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023, representing amortization charges on right-of-use lease assets, which are a component of lease expense and presented as a single operating expense in selling, general and administrative expenses on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 
 
 

Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow to Adjusted Free Cash Flow 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

(in thousands of dollars)

June 29, 2024

 

July 1, 2023

 

June 29, 2024

 

July 1, 2023

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

989

 

 

$

39,415

 

 

$

55,760

 

 

$

84,131

 

Cash paid for fixed assets

 

(4,494

)

 

 

(2,650

)

 

 

(10,137

)

 

 

(6,390

)

Free cash flow

$

(3,505

)

 

$

36,765

 

 

$

45,623

 

 

$

77,741

 

Cash paid for operational transformation initiatives

 

 

 

 

196

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,133

 

Cash paid for stockholder transaction costs

 

 

 

 

5,509

 

 

 

3,154

 

 

 

6,252

 

Cash paid for other items

 

2

 

 

 

293

 

 

 

(81

)

 

 

574

 

Adjusted free cash flow

 

(3,503

)

 

 

42,763

 

 

 

48,696

 

 

 

85,700

 

 
 
 

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Net Income 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

(in thousands of dollars)

June 29, 2024

 

July 1, 2023

 

June 29, 2024

 

July 1, 2023

Net income

$

28,711

 

$

9,358

 

$

80,884

 

 

$

5,194

Adjustments, net of tax benefit or expense (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operational transformation initiatives

 

 

 

145

 

 

 

 

 

838

Share-based compensation expense

 

1,831

 

 

696

 

 

5,193

 

 

 

1,649

Stockholder transaction costs

 

 

 

4,077

 

 

2,334

 

 

 

4,626

Loss on debt modification

 

 

 

 

 

1,153

 

 

 

397

Other

 

1

 

 

217

 

 

(60

)

 

 

425

Adjusted net income, non-GAAP

$

30,543

 

$

14,493

 

 

89,504

 

 

 

13,129

___________________

(1)

Amounts are net of estimated tax rates of 26%.

 
 
 

Reconciliation of Diluted EPS to Adjusted Diluted EPS 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

June 29, 2024

 

July 1, 2023

 

June 29, 2024

 

July 1, 2023

Diluted earnings per share

$

0.85

 

$

0.29

 

$

2.43

 

$

0.16

One-time charge adjustments, net of tax benefit or expense

 

0.06

 

 

0.15

 

 

0.26

 

 

0.25

Adjusted diluted earnings per share, non-GAAP

$

0.91

 

$

0.44

 

$

2.69

 

$

0.41

Adjusted weighted average dilutive shares outstanding

 

33,653,447

 

 

32,598,938

 

 

33,222,354

 

 

32,335,381

 
 

 

Mark Benfield

Investor Relations

(478) 822-2315

Mark.Benfield@blue-bird.com

Source: Blue Bird Corporation

FAQ

What were Blue Bird's (BLBD) key financial results for Q3 2024?

Blue Bird reported net sales of $333 million (up 13%), GAAP net income of $29 million (up $19 million), and a record quarterly Adjusted EBITDA of $48 million (up $19 million) for Q3 2024.

How many electric buses did Blue Bird (BLBD) deliver in Q3 2024?

Blue Bird delivered over 200 electric-powered buses in Q3 2024, which was nearly 40% more than the same quarter last year.

What is Blue Bird's (BLBD) updated FY2024 Adjusted EBITDA guidance?

Blue Bird raised its FY2024 Adjusted EBITDA guidance to $175 million, representing 13% of revenue.

How many units are in Blue Bird's (BLBD) order backlog as of Q3 2024?

Blue Bird's order backlog stands at over 5,200 units, including over 560 EV orders from the EPA's Clean School Bus Program.

What is Blue Bird's (BLBD) long-term Adjusted EBITDA margin outlook?

Blue Bird increased its long-term Adjusted EBITDA margin outlook to 15%.

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