Tower International, Inc. (NYSE: TOWR), a leading manufacturer of engineered automotive structural metal components and assemblies, today announced fourth quarter and full year 2018 results and provided its business outlook through 2020.
During the fourth quarter 2018, Tower reached a definitive agreement to divest its European operations. As such, these operations are classified as discontinued operations. Additionally, the Company has decided to retain its operations in Brazil; accordingly, the results for the Company’s Brazilian operations are now included in continuing operations. The divestiture of Tower Europe is expected to close during the first quarter 2019 and result in net cash proceeds of approximately $250 million after payment of transaction costs and fees and the unwinding of the Euro denominated swaps related to the Term Loan.
- Revenue for the full year 2018 was $1.572 billion compared with $1.382 billion in 2017, representing a 14 percent increase. Revenue for 2018 excluded $650 million of European revenue and included $53 million of Brazilian revenue.
- Full year net income was $48.9 million or $2.33 per share, compared with $47.6 million or $2.29 per share last year. As detailed below, this year’s results included special items which adversely impacted net income by $24.5 million. Excluding these items and comparable items in 2017, adjusted earnings per share of $3.50 increased 6 percent from $3.30 from a year ago. Adjusted EPS for 2018 excluded 78 cents associated with Europe and included 8 cents associated with Brazil.
- Adjusted EBITDA for full year 2018 was $178 million up 13 percent from $157 million a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA for 2018 excluded $58 million associated with Europe and included $5 million associated with Brazil.
- For full year 2018, net cash provided by continuing operating activities were $98 million. Cash disbursed for purchases of equipment totaled $83 million resulting in Free Cash Flow of $15 million.
- If European operations were included in continuing operations and Brazilian operations were not included in continuing operations, Tower’s full year 2018 revenue of $2.169 billion, Adjusted EBITDA of $230 million, Adjusted EPS of $4.20 and Free Cash Flow of $41 million would have been in-line with full year outlook.
- Tower’s net new business backlog for 2019 through 2020 is now $250 million. This represents an increase of more than 10 percent from the $225 million provided last year.
“Despite a difficult macro-environment, Tower delivered 2018 results in-line with our Outlook. We continue to balance our capital allocation, by investing in profitable growth, reducing debt and returning capital to shareholders. The pending sale of Tower Europe further strengthens our balance sheet and positions Tower to capitalize on the healthy and growing light truck and SUV market in North America,” said CEO Jim Gouin. “With significant program changeovers and the launch of approximately $700 million in annual run rate revenue, 2019 will be a transition year. By 2020 these major launches will be completed and we expect significant margin improvement and substantial Free Cash Flow.”
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SOURCE: Tower International
