North American Construction Group Ltd. Announces Results for the First Quarter Ended March 31, 2022

Rhea-AI Summary

North American Construction Group Ltd. (NOA) reported Q1 2022 revenue of $176.7 million, a 5.3% rise year-over-year, largely due to improved operations and contributions from the DGI acquisition. Combined revenue reached $236.6 million, reflecting a 23.1% increase driven by joint ventures. However, adjusted EBITDA fell to $57.7 million, down 5.5% from the previous year, impacted by labor shortages and inflation. A quarterly dividend of $0.08 per share was declared. The company forecasts adjusted EBITDA for 2022 between $215 million and $245 million.

Positive

• Revenue increased to $176.7 million, up 5.3% YoY.
• Combined revenue of $236.6 million, reflecting a 23.1% year-over-year growth.
• Achieved a five-year contract with MNALP valued at approximately $125 million.

Negative

• Adjusted EBITDA decreased to $57.7 million, down $3.4 million from last year.
• Gross profit margin declined to 12.4%, down from 18.6%.

ACHESON, Alberta, April 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- North American Construction Group Ltd. (“NACG”) (TSX:NOA/NYSE:NOA) today announced results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022. Unless otherwise indicated, financial figures are expressed in Canadian dollars, and comparisons are to the prior period ended March 31, 2021.

First Quarter 2022 Highlights:

• Revenue was $176.7 million, up from $167.8 million in the same period last year. The majority of this quarter-over-quarter positive variance was based on continued improved operating conditions, as well as the revenue earned by DGI Trading Pty Ltd ("DGI") acquired in Q3 2021. Top-line revenue was most notably impacted by shortages in heavy equipment technicians required to maintain the equipment but also impacted by general workforce availability in January from the high case counts of the COVID-19 Omicron variant.
• Combined revenue of $236.6 million represented a $44.5 million (or 23.1%) increase as our share of revenue generated thus far in 2022 by joint ventures and affiliates was $59.9 million compared to $24.3 million in Q1 2021. Nuna Group of Companies achieved another strong quarter driven by activity at the gold mine in Northern Ontario while the the Mikisew North American Limited Partnership ultra-class haul trucks and the joint ventures dedicated to the Fargo-Moorhead flood diversion project were the drivers of quarter-over-quarter improvements.
• Adjusted EBITDA of $57.7 million represents a $3.4 million decrease over the prior year and reflects unique operating and inflationary challenges in the quarter as well as the impact of COVID-19 wage subsidy being discontinued in Q4 2021. Offsetting these challenges in the quarter, were the initial returns of the Fargo-Moorhead project related to the financial close, particularly strong operating performances at the Aurora and Fort Hills mines, and the continued strong and recurring margins from parts and component sales made by DGI.
• Gross profit was $22.0 million with a 12.4% gross profit margin, down from gross profit of $31.2 million, and down from a 18.6% gross profit margin in the same period last year. The primary drivers of this negative variance were the operational impacts related to shortages in heavy equipment technicians and the discontinued Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy program.
• Free cash flow ("FCF") in the quarter was negative $11.3 million primarily due to $20.7 million consumed by our working capital accounts which was consistent with past seasonal impacts of our annual business cycle.
• On March 17, 2022, we announced a five-year contract award to Mikisew North American Limited Partnership ("MNALP") by a major oil sands producer. Given the contractual scope included in the award, the new agreement qualifies for backlog which is estimated at $125 million. Based on the heavy equipment fleet and our experience at this site, we estimate this contractual backlog represents approximately one-third of the work we will complete over the contract term.
• On April 6, 2022, we announced our intention to commence a Normal Course Issuer Bid ("NCIB") to purchase, for cancellation, up to 2,113,054 common shares. This represented approximately 7.1% of the issued and outstanding common shares as of March 31, 2022. This NCIB commenced on April 11, 2022 and will terminate no later than April 10, 2023.

NACG President and CEO, Joe Lambert, commented: "The first quarter of 2022 has been challenging for us but with many signs to justify optimism looking forward to the full year. Many of the challenges we’ve faced have been related to the pandemic, either directly due to infection and isolation requirements or indirectly due to pandemic-related disruptions to the economy."

Mr. Lambert added: "We have our detailed plans in place to weather these volatile inflationary times and with our outlook for free cash flow coupled with our diversified business and the macro context of strong commodity pricing, I am as confident in the strength of our business as I have ever been."

Consolidated Financial Highlights

	Three months ended
	March 31,
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)		2022			2021(iii)				Change
Revenue	$	176,711			$	167,847			$	8,864
Project costs		62,115				50,602				11,513
Equipment costs		61,953				54,885				7,068
Depreciation		30,692				31,171				(479	)
Gross profit	$	21,951			$	31,189			$	(9,238	)
Gross profit margin		12.4	%			18.6	%		(6.2		)%
General and administrative expenses (excluding stock-based compensation)		4,955				6,969				(2,014	)
Stock-based compensation expense		1,277				2,374				(1,097	)
Operating income		15,642				22,104				(6,462	)
Interest expense, net		4,682				4,542				140
Net income		13,557				19,386				(5,829	)
Adjusted EBITDA(i)		57,740				61,140				(3,400	)
Adjusted EBITDA margin(i)(ii)		24.4	%			31.8	%		(7.4		)%
Per share information
Basic net income per share	$	0.48			$	0.68			$	(0.20	)
Diluted net income per share	$	0.43			$	0.62			$	(0.19	)
Adjusted EPS(i)	$	0.51			$	0.65			$	(0.14	)

⁽ⁱ⁾See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".
⁽ⁱⁱ⁾Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated using adjusted EBITDA over total combined revenue.
⁽ⁱⁱⁱ⁾The prior year amounts are adjusted to reflect a change in accounting policy. See "Accounting Estimates, Pronouncements and Measures".

		Three months ended
		March 31,
(dollars in thousands)			2022			2021(ii)
Cash provided by operating activities		$	24,185			$	42,045
Cash used in investing activities			(26,811	)			(21,533	)
Capital additions financed by leases			(8,695	)			(15,023	)
Free cash flow(i)		$	(11,321	)		$	5,489

⁽ⁱ⁾See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".
⁽ⁱⁱ⁾The prior year amounts are adjusted to reflect a change in accounting policy. See "Accounting Estimates, Pronouncements and Measures".

Declaration of Quarterly Dividend

On April 26th, 2022 the NACG Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend (the “Dividend”) of eight Canadian cents ($0.08) per common share, payable to common shareholders of record at the close of business on May 27, 2022. The Dividend will be paid on July 8, 2022 and is an eligible dividend for Canadian income tax purposes.

Financial Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

Revenue of $176.7 million represented an $8.9 million (or 5.3%) increase from Q1 2021. Rental of mine support equipment at the Kearl site and remobilization of fleet at the Fort Hills site were the primary drivers of the overall increase. Revenue earned by DGI Trading Pty Ltd. ("DGI"), which was acquired on July 1, 2021, also contributed to the quarter-over-quarter increase. It is estimated that approximately $15.0 million of revenue in the quarter was deferred as a result of higher-than-anticipated demand for heavy equipment technicians which was a key factor amongst many in the overall operating equipment utilization rate for the quarter of 65%.

Combined revenue of $236.6 million represented a $44.5 million (or 23.1%) increase from Q1 2021. Our share of revenue generated in Q1 2022 by joint ventures and affiliates was $59.9 million compared to $24.3 million in Q1 2021 (an increase of 147%). Nuna Group of Companies again achieved another strong quarter of top-line performance driven by the activity at the gold mine in Northern Ontario. The significant drivers of the increase in combined revenue was the success of various joint venture initiatives, each of which continue to gain momentum: i) the investments by the Mikisew North American Limited Partnership ("MNALP") in ultra-class haul trucks, ii) the consistent progress being made in the component rebuild programs managed and performed by the Brake Supply North American joint venture, and lastly iii) the recently formed joint ventures dedicated to the Fargo-Moorhead flood diversion project. The Fargo-Moorhead project continues to progress towards its first summer construction season during which the initial earthworks is scheduled to commence.

Adjusted EBITDA of $57.7 million was a slight decrease from the Q1 2021 result of $61.1 million reflecting unique operating challenges experienced in the quarter with the primary driver of being the aforementioned vacancies of heavy equipment technician roles. Adjusted EBITDA margin of 24.4% showcased solid operating performance across our various diversified work sites with several secondary drivers impacting this quarter's margin including i) the timing impact of rate escalations which lag based on published index values, ii) workforce availability issues in January due to high COVID-19 Omicron cases, and iii) the early onset of spring break-up in late March. When comparing to Q1 2021, the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy ("CEWS") program concluded in Q4 2021 and was a factor in quarter-over-quarter comparisons. Offsetting the challenges in the quarter were initial returns from the Fargo-Moorhead project related to the financial close milestone, strong operating performances at the Aurora and Fort Hills mines, and the superior margins realized from parts and component sales made by DGI.

General and administrative expenses (excluding stock-based compensation) were $5.0 million, or 2.8% of revenue, compared to $7.0 million, or 4.2% of revenue. General and administrative expenses notably benefited from a one-time Fargo joint venture receipt which was recognized as a recovery. Excluding this recovery, direct G&A spending was 4.6% of revenue which was up slightly from Q1 2021 due to the acquisition of DGI in Q3 2021 and wage subsidies received in 2021.

Cash related interest expense for the quarter was $4.4 million at an average cost of debt of 4.5% compared to 3.8% in Q1 2021 as posted interest rates have increased over the past twelve months while equipment financing rates remain competitive.

Adjusted EPS of $0.51 on adjusted net earnings of $14.6 million is 22% down from the prior year figure of $0.65 and is consistent with adjusted EBITDA performance as depreciation, tax and interest tracked consistently with the prior year. Weighted-average common shares outstanding for the first quarters of 2022 and 2021 were stable at 28,426,757 and 28,328,560, respectively, net of shares classified as treasury shares.

Free cash flow was a use of cash of $11.3 million in the quarter primarily due to the consumption of $20.7 million by our working capital accounts. This working capital draw on cash is similar to Q1 2021 and is consistent with past seasonal impacts of our annual business cycle. Adjusted EBITDA generated $57.7 million, as detailed above, and when factoring in sustaining capital additions ($34.2 million) and cash interest paid ($3.9 million), positive cash of $19.6 million was produced by the overall business in the quarter but was impacted by cash management within the various joint venture and other routine timing considerations. Specifically, accounts receivable held by the Nuna Northern American joint venture increased substantially at the gold mine in Northern Ontario given the strong volume of work completed during the quarter. The ultra-class rebuild program increased work-in-progress inventories by $10.1 million in the quarter as the commissioning and sale of certain units is scheduled for the second quarter of 2022.

Business Updates

2022 Focus & Priorities

Safety - Focus on people and relationships, maintain an uncompromising commitment to health and safety while elevating the standard of excellence in the field.

Sustainability - Commitment to the continued development of sustainability targets and constant measurement of progress to those targets.

Diversification - Continue to pursue diversification of customer, resource and geography through strategic partnerships, industry expertise and our investment in Nuna.

Execution - Enhancement of operational excellence in fleet utilization and maintenance through reliability programs and technical improvements. For the remainder of 2022, we have specifically prioritized the:

• Sourcing and staffing of our critical heavy equipment technician roles and
• Focused attention on contract administration during these times of high inflation and cost escalation.

Liquidity

	March 31, 2022				December 31, 2021
Credit Facility limit	$	325,000			$	325,000
Finance lease borrowing limit		150,000				150,000
Other debt borrowing limit		20,000				20,000
Total borrowing limit	$	495,000			$	495,000
Senior debt(i)		(242,986	)			(225,876	)
Letters of credit		(29,691	)			(33,884	)
Joint venture guarantee		(17,899	)			(18,719	)
Cash		20,122				16,601
Total capital liquidity	$	224,546			$	233,122

⁽ⁱ⁾See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".

Contract Award and Extension

On March 17, 2022, we announced a five-year contract award to Mikisew North American Limited Partnership ("MNALP") by a major oil sands producer. Given the contractual scope included in the award, the new agreement qualifies for backlog which is estimated at $125 million. Based on the heavy equipment fleet and our experience at this site, we estimate this contractual backlog represents approximately one-third of the work we will complete over the contract term.

NACG’s outlook for 2022

Given our visibility into the remainder of 2022, management has decided to provide stakeholders with guidance through 2022. This guidance is predicated on contracts currently in place and the heavy equipment fleet that we own and operate.

Key measures		2022
Adjusted EBITDA		$215 - $245M
Sustaining capital		$110 - $120M
Adjusted EPS		$2.15 - $2.55
Free cash flow		$95 - $115M
Capital allocation measures
Deleverage		$45 - $80M
Share purchases		$15 - $35M
Growth capital		$nil - $35M
Leverage ratios
Senior debt		0.9x - 1.4x
Net debt		1.2x - 1.7x

Conference Call and Webcast

Management will hold a conference call and webcast to discuss our financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 tomorrow, Thursday, April 28, 2022 at 7:00 am Mountain Time (9:00 am Eastern Time).

The call can be accessed by dialing:

Toll free: 1-844-248-9143

International: 1-216-539-8612

Conference ID: 8087141

A replay will be available through May 28, 2022, by dialing:

Toll Free: 1-855-859-2056

International: 1-404-537-3406

Conference ID: 8087141

The Q1 2022 earnings presentation for the webcast will be available for download on the company’s website at www.nacg.ca/presentations/

The live presentation and webcast can be accessed at:

https://app.webinar.net/al3XOX5DyLK

A replay will be available until May 28, 2022 using the link provided.

Basis of Presentation

We have prepared our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("US GAAP"). Unless otherwise specified, all dollar amounts discussed are in Canadian dollars. Please see the Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 for further detail on the matters discussed in this release. In addition to the MD&A, please reference the dedicated Q1 2022 Results Presentation for more information on our results and projections which can be found on our website under Investors - Presentations.

Forward-Looking Information

The information provided in this release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “should” or similar expressions.

The material factors or assumptions used to develop the above forward-looking statements include, and the risks and uncertainties to which such forward-looking statements are subject, are highlighted in the MD&A for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements because of any number of factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond NACG’s control. Undue reliance should not be placed upon forward-looking statements and NACG undertakes no obligation, other than those required by applicable law, to update or revise those statements. For more complete information about NACG, please read our disclosure documents filed with the SEC and the CSA. These free documents can be obtained by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov or on the CSA website at www.sedar.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release presents certain non-GAAP financial measures because management believes that they may be useful to investors in analyzing our business performance, leverage and liquidity. The non-GAAP financial measures we present include "gross profit", "adjusted net earnings", "adjusted EBIT", "equity investment EBIT", "adjusted EBITDA", "equity investment depreciation and amortization", "adjusted EPS", "margin", "liquidity", "net debt", "senior debt", "sustaining capital", "growth capital", "cash provided by operating activities prior to change in working capital" and "free cash flow". A non-GAAP financial measure is defined by relevant regulatory authorities as a numerical measure of an issuer's historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flow that is not specified, defined or determined under the issuer’s GAAP and that is not presented in an issuer’s financial statements. These non-GAAP measures do not have any standardized meaning and therefore are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. They should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Each non-GAAP financial measure used in this press release is defined and reconciled to its most directly comparable GAAP measure in the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of our Management’s Discussion and Analysis filed concurrently with this press release.

Reconciliation of total reported revenue to total combined revenue

		Three months ended
		March 31,
(dollars in thousands)			2022			2021(ii)
Revenue from wholly-owned entities per financial statements		$	176,711			$	167,847
Share of revenue from investments in affiliates and joint ventures			125,430				63,454
Adjustments for joint ventures			(65,555	)			(39,181	)
Total combined revenue(i)		$	236,586			$	192,120

⁽ⁱ⁾See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".
⁽ⁱⁱ⁾The prior year amounts are adjusted to reflect a change in accounting policy. See "Accounting Estimates, Pronouncements and Measures".

A reconciliation of net income to adjusted net earnings, adjusted EBIT and adjusted EBITDA is as follows:

	Three months ended
	March 31,
(dollars in thousands)		2022			2021(ii)
Net income	$	13,557			$	19,386
Adjustments:
Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment		77				(258	)
Stock-based compensation expense		1,277				2,374
Net realized and unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments		—				(2,484	)
Write-down on assets held for sale		—				—
Tax effect of the above items		(312	)			(487	)
Adjusted net earnings(i)		14,599				18,531
Adjustments:
Tax effect of the above items		312				487
Interest expense, net		4,682				4,542
Income tax expense		3,644				4,950
Equity earnings in affiliates and joint ventures		(6,241	)			(4,290	)
Equity investment EBIT(i)		7,688				4,391
Adjusted EBIT(i)		24,684				28,611
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization		30,887				31,038
Write-down on assets held for sale		—				—
Equity investment depreciation and amortization(i)		2,169				1,491
Adjusted EBITDA(i)	$	57,740			$	61,140

⁽ⁱ⁾See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".
⁽ⁱⁱ⁾The prior year amounts are adjusted to reflect a change in accounting policy. See "Accounting Estimates, Pronouncements and Measures".

A reconciliation of equity earnings in affiliates and joint ventures to equity investment EBIT is as follows:

	Three months ended
	March 31,
(dollars in thousands)		2022		2021(ii)
Equity earnings in affiliates and joint ventures	$	6,241		$	4,290
Adjustments:
Interest expense, net		757			80
Income tax expense		690			74
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment		—			(53	)
Equity investment EBIT(i)	$	7,688		$	4,391
Depreciation	$	1,993		$	1,324
Amortization of intangible assets		176			167
Equity investment depreciation and amortization(i)	$	2,169		$	1,491

⁽ⁱ⁾See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".
⁽ⁱⁱ⁾The prior year amounts are adjusted to reflect a change in accounting policy. See "Accounting Estimates, Pronouncements and Measures".

About the Company

North American Construction Group Ltd. (www.nacg.ca) is one of Canada’s largest providers of heavy civil construction and mining contractors. For more than 65 years, NACG has provided services to large oil, natural gas and resource companies.

For further information contact:

Jason Veenstra, CPA, CA
Chief Financial Officer
North American Construction Group Ltd.
(780) 960-7171
IR@nacg.ca
www.nacg.ca

Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars)
(Unaudited)

		March 31, 2022				December 31, 2021
Assets
Current assets
Cash		$	20,122			$	16,601
Accounts receivable			57,705				68,787
Contract assets			10,702				9,759
Inventories			54,029				44,544
Prepaid expenses and deposits			4,619				6,828
Assets held for sale			294				660
Derivative financial instruments			—				—
			147,471				147,179
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $353,516 (December 31, 2021 – $339,505)			643,561				640,950
Operating lease right-of-use assets			13,819				14,768
Investments in affiliates and joint ventures			60,478				55,974
Other assets			8,019				6,000
Deferred tax assets			394				—
Total assets		$	879,520			$	869,278
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable		$	65,065			$	76,251
Accrued liabilities			23,810				33,389
Contract liabilities			1,648				3,349
Current portion of long-term debt			19,895				19,693
Current portion of finance lease obligations			25,308				25,035
Current portion of operating lease liabilities			3,179				3,317
			138,905				161,034
Long-term debt			321,167				306,034
Finance lease obligations			31,203				29,686
Operating lease liabilities			10,755				11,461
Other long-term obligations			27,834				26,400
Deferred tax liabilities			59,708				56,200
			589,572				590,815
Shareholders' equity
Common shares (authorized – unlimited number of voting common shares; issued and outstanding – March 31, 2022 - 29,974,336 (December 31, 2021 – 30,022,928))			246,553				246,944
Treasury shares (March 31, 2022 - 1,568,041 (December 31, 2021 - 1,564,813))			(17,869	)			(17,802	)
Additional paid-in capital			38,128				37,456
Retained earnings			23,143				11,863
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income			(7	)			2
Shareholders' equity			289,948				278,463
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	879,520			$	869,278

Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations and
Comprehensive Income

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited) 

		Three months ended
		March 31,
			2022				2021
Revenue		$	176,711			$	167,847
Project costs			62,115				50,602
Equipment costs			61,953				54,885
Depreciation			30,692				31,171
Gross profit			21,951				31,189
General and administrative expenses			6,232				9,343
Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment			77				(258	)
Operating income			15,642				22,104
Interest expense, net			4,682				4,542
Equity earnings in affiliates and joint ventures			(6,241	)			(4,290	)
Net realized and unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments			—				(2,484	)
Income before income taxes			17,201				24,336
Current income tax expense			162				—
Deferred income tax expense			3,482				4,950
Net income		$	13,557			$	19,386
Other comprehensive income
Unrealized foreign currency translation loss			(9	)			—
Comprehensive income		$	13,548			$	19,386
Per share information
Basic net income per share		$	0.48			$	0.68
Diluted net income per share		$	0.43			$	0.62

 

FAQ

What were North American Construction Group's Q1 2022 revenue results?

North American Construction Group reported Q1 2022 revenue of $176.7 million, a 5.3% increase from Q1 2021.

What is the adjusted EBITDA for NOA for Q1 2022?

The adjusted EBITDA for North American Construction Group in Q1 2022 is $57.7 million, reflecting a decrease from the prior year.

What dividend was declared by North American Construction Group in April 2022?

On April 26, 2022, NACG declared a quarterly dividend of $0.08 per share.

What is the forecasted adjusted EBITDA for NOA in 2022?

North American Construction Group forecasts an adjusted EBITDA between $215 million and $245 million for 2022.

What factors contributed to the revenue increase in Q1 2022 for NOA?

The revenue increase was primarily due to improved operations and revenue from the DGI acquisition as well as growth from joint ventures.