Grande West Announces Second Quarter Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Grande West Transportation Group (GWTNF) reported a revenue decline of 27.3% for Q2 2020, totaling $8.7 million, down from $11.9 million in Q2 2019. The company faced a net loss of $794,577, compared to $434,507 in the previous year. Aftermarket parts sales continue, despite COVID-19 disruptions, with targeted deliveries of 150 buses by year-end 2020. The company received $546,604 in government aid, aiding salary expenses. The outlook remains positive with expectations of growth in U.S. markets and completion of ongoing contracts, despite pandemic-related delays.

Positive

• Targeting delivery of over 150 buses in 2020 despite COVID-19 impact.
• Received $546,604 in government aid during H1 2020, aiding salary expenses.
• Continuing operations with minimal disruptions and maintaining market leadership in Canada.

Negative

• Revenue decreased by 27.3% from the previous year.
• Net loss increased to $794,577 compared to $434,507 in Q2 2019.
• Adjusted EBITDA loss of $477,973 compared to a gain of $347,468 in the prior year.

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 24, 2020 / Grande West Transportation Group Inc. (TSXV:BUS)(OTC PINK:GWTNF) ("Grande West" or the "Company"), a Canadian manufacturer of mid-sized multi-purpose transit vehicles for sale in Canada and the United States, announced today, financial results for the second quarter ending June 30, 2020.

Second Quarter Highlights

• Bus, aftermarket parts and other revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2020 of $8,701,920 compared to $11,878,861 for the three months ended June 30, 2019
• Net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2020 of $794,577 compared to net loss of $434,507 for the three months ended June 30, 2019
• Adjusted EBITDA loss for the three months ended June 30, 2020 of $477,973 compared to an adjusted EBITDA gain of $347,468 for the three months ended June 30, 2019 (see "Non-GAAP Measures" in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis)
• Deliveries of 23 Vicinity buses for the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to 25 for the three months ended June 30, 2019

Business Overview
Corporate Update
Grande West has delivered over 450 buses in the Canadian and U.S. markets. The Company is the market leader in the mid-size bus category in Canada where it sells its Vicinity branded buses.

William Trainer, Grande West President and CEO, stated, "As previously reported, our focus for 2019 and 2020 has been on product line expansion and growing our backlog. With the existing and forecasted orders for 2020, Grande West is expecting improved results for the 2020 fiscal year compared to the prior year. Even after taking into consideration the negative effects of the current COVID-19 pandemic on our delivery schedule, the Company is still targeting to deliver over 150 buses during 2020. We are very proud to have remained in operation with minimal disruptions to our employee base throughout this crisis. We are currently completing a 34 bus order, which was partially delivered during the second quarter and will be completed in the third quarter of 2020. We are working diligently with our supply chain to push for current year delivery for the entire contract with Alliance Bus Group that was announced in February of 2020. With the delays in manufacturing experienced during the pandemic, it is possible that some of these buses will be delivered during the first quarter of 2021. We are also fast tracking our smaller crossover bus model and are excited for the Vicinity LT to be available for purchase in 2020. The Company is gaining significant momentum and the outlook for Grande West growth remains very positive."

Recent Developments
In February of 2020, the Company announced that it received a new contract from its exclusive US distributor, Atlanta-based Alliance Bus Group ("ABG") for new bus orders with a value of approximately $40M CAD. Grande West is targeting to record revenue and deliver the Purpose-Built Vicinity Buses within the 2020 calendar year. With the delays in manufacturing experienced during the pandemic, it is possible that some of these buses will be delivered during the first quarter of 2021. The new buses will replace an old fleet currently operating throughout multiple locations in the USA with a world-class business and bus operator.

COVID-19 Update
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and global market volatility, the Company has activated robust business continuity plans to minimize disruptions to business and to adapt to evolving market conditions. The Company's top priority is the health and safety of its staff, customers, and the communities in which it operates. Grande West has taken appropriate precautions in this regard and has continued to deliver parts and services to meet its customers' needs. The Company is following the advice of health authorities in each jurisdiction where it operates. Grande West has implemented social distancing, team separation, and extensive work-from-home initiatives, as well as eliminated all non-essential travel.

Management is monitoring the situation very closely and is evaluating the impact the virus will have on the Company's delivery schedule, but at this time Grande West is targeting to deliver over150 buses in 2020. With the delays in manufacturing experienced during the pandemic, it is possible that some of these buses will be delivered during the first quarter of 2021. Some expected 2020 sales to private operators have been delayed as a result of the pandemic. The Company's manufacturing partner overseas is operating and currently producing to meet the Company's needs. Our U.S. manufacturing partner temporarily idled operations. This will slow down Buy America production deliveries until the facility is back online and operating at full capacity. Although deliveries out of the U.S. may be delayed, the purchase orders are firm and are still targeted to be delivered in 2020.

Our supply chain is currently able to provide us with the necessary components for production and aftermarket part sales but there is a risk of potential disruptions. Our aftermarket parts division will continue operating and servicing all our customers.

Grande West has built and delivered five Buy America Vicinity buses in the U.S. and has another 13 Vicinity buses currently scheduled for 2020 deliveries.

The Company remains well-positioned to serve its customers. As conditions evolve, Grande West will adjust plans to align with business continuity protocols and ensure employee, customer, and community health and safety are the highest priority. Credit lines remain active, allowing the Company access to capital, however Grande West recognizes that the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and government or customer reactions could ultimately be materially disruptive.

Grande West is taking significant actions to control where it can, particularly surrounding costs and capital investments. The Company has started reductions with senior management, where salaries were reduced effective April 1, 2020. The Company has also implemented strict cost containment measures throughout the organization, including freezing recruiting activities and minimizing all discretionary costs. Grande West is taking proactive measures to actively control working capital and retain cash throughout the COVID-19 crisis.

The Canadian Government has implemented policies giving aid to businesses due to COVID-19, as a result the Company has received $546,604 in aid during the six months ended June 30, 2020 which was recognized as a decrease in salary expenses.

William Trainer, President and CEO of Grande West stated, "We continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely and we are responding swiftly and effectively to protect the interests of our stakeholders. I am confident that our skilled and loyal workforce, the diversification and strength of our business model, and our strong partner relationship will position us well to navigate the current environment."

Outlook
Management expects to maintain its strong market segment leadership position in Canada and continue to make progress in the U.S. with private operators and public transit agencies. The external pressures to "right size" vehicles for its application and ridership levels along with the availability of funding in Canada and the U.S. create an ideal environment for Grande West to prosper. Once we are through the current COVID-19 pandemic, the outlook for Grande West, including significant growth in the U.S., remains very positive.

During 2017 and 2018, the Company achieved record revenues. We experienced a decline in the backlog during 2018 mainly due to lower order intake, which impacted 2019 results. Bid activity during 2019 was significantly higher than in 2018, which will translate into higher 2020 sales. We are maintaining our strong leadership position in our market segment in Canada and we continue to make progress in the U.S. market. During the first six months of 2020 we completed and delivered five of our first Buy America orders and others are just completing production. We have received further Buy America orders for deliveries starting in 2020.

Approved funding for transit in the U.S. and Canada prior to the pandemic was high. Both countries have approved emergency funding for transit as a result of COVID-19. In Canada, dedicated funding for public transit has been included in the safe restart agreement among the federal, provincial, and territorial governments. In the U.S. the Federal government has awarded $25 billion in emergency funding grants to public transportation systems.

In the U.S. the Consolidated Appropriations Act was passed for 2020 and continues elevated funding levels with more than $13 billion allocated for public transportation and intercity passenger rail.

In Canada in 2017, the federal government allocated $21.1 billion over 11 years to transit construction, expansion and rehabilitation.

The medium and long-term recovery of the Company's end markets from the COVID-19 pandemic are currently unknown but are expected to be dependent on government support, COVID-19 case rates, manufacturing and supply chain capabilities, travel restrictions and economic reopening activity. The Company has implemented a robust risk management process to ensure the health and safety of its employees and continued access to supply chain materials, but the ongoing nature of the pandemic may adversely impact results in the future.

Part of our strategic plan is to expand our product line by adding a 100% zero emission electric propulsion system to our existing Vicinity bus models and adding the Vicinity LT bus model to our product lineup. The Vicinity electric bus will place Grande West in an excellent position to capture market share as the demand for zero emissions buses grows. Our smaller LT bus model will provide Grande West access to the high-end cutaway bus market segment. Municipalities of all sizes across Canada and the U.S. along with private operators in multiple sectors are looking for a more robust low floor accessible bus to replace their cutaways.

Aftermarket parts sales are expected to continue to increase as Vicinity bus fleets get older and new vehicles are placed into service.

Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis can be accessed at sedar.com

Conference Call
A conference call for analysts and interested listeners will be held on Tuesday, August 25 at 11:00 AM EST. The call-in number is (877) 407-0782 or (201) 689-8567, the webcast can be accessed at https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2233/36612. A replay of the call will be available for 30 days at the webcast link or by calling (877) 481-4010 and entering PIN# 36612.

About Grande West Transportation Group
Grande West Transportation is a Canadian company that designs and engineers mid-size multi-purpose transit vehicles for public and commercial enterprises. Grande West utilizes world class manufacturing partners to produce the Purpose-Built Vicinity bus available in clean diesel, gas and CNG drive systems. An electric propulsion drive system is currently under development.

The Company has been successful in supplying Canadian municipal transportation agencies and private operators with new buses. Grande West is compliant to Buy America certification, and along with Alliance Bus Group, its exclusive US distributor, they are actively pursuing opportunities in public and private transit fleet operations that would benefit from Grande West's vehicles.

For further information please contact:
Grande West Transportation
Mr. William Trainer
CEO & President
Ph: 604-288-8043
IR@grandewest.com
www.grandewest.com

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Private Placement, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Grande West's expectations include uncertainties relating to the receipt of final approval from the TSX-V; and other risk and uncertainties disclosed in Grande West's reports and documents filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time. Grande West's forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made. Grande West assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

SOURCE: Grande West Transportation Group

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FAQ

What were Grande West's Q2 2020 financial results?

Grande West reported $8.7 million in revenue, a net loss of $794,577, and an adjusted EBITDA loss of $477,973.

How has COVID-19 affected Grande West's operations?

Grande West experienced disruptions but is still targeting to deliver over 150 buses by the end of 2020.

What government aid did Grande West receive during COVID-19?

The company received $546,604 in aid during the six months ended June 30, 2020.

What is the outlook for Grande West in 2020?

The company expects growth in the U.S. market and completion of existing contracts despite pandemic delays.