Questions? +1 (202) 335-3939 Login
Trusted News Since 1995
A service for marketing & advertising industry professionals · Tuesday, April 23, 2024 · 705,928,817 Articles · 3+ Million Readers

Firan Technology Group Corporation (“FTG”) Announces Full Year and Fourth Quarter 2022 Financial Results

/EIN News/ -- TORONTO, Feb. 08, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Firan Technology Group Corporation (TSX: FTG) today announced financial results for the full year and fourth quarter 2022.

Financial Highlights

  • Full year bookings were $113.3M, up 41% over 2021.
  • Fourth quarter bookings of $32.2M were up 15% over Q3 2022 and up 37% over Q4 2021. This was the 8th sequential quarter of bookings growth.
  • FTG full year revenues increased by 13% to $89.6M as the global air travel and the commercial aerospace market continued to recover from the pandemic.
  • FTG has maintained strong liquidity with net cash on the balance sheet of $12.3M, after investments in the year of $3.8M for capital expenditures, $5.9M for research and development, $8.5M to the Aerospace Chatsworth facility and $1.1M for FTG share buybacks.
  • FTG achieved Adjusted Net Earnings in Q4 2022 of $1.2M and Adjusted Net Earnings of $1.2M for fiscal 2022.

Business Highlights

In 2022, FTG went on offence after two years of playing defence. During the year the company invested in technology in our existing sites, grew the business organically, acquired our building in Chatsworth to protect our operations but then as committed completed a sales/leaseback, announced two acquisitions and bought back stock. Through all these actions, FTG is strategically deploying its strong cash balance in ways that will drive increased shareholder returns for the future in both the near-term and long-term. Specifically, FTG accomplished many goals in 2022 that continue to improve the Corporation and position it for the future, including:

  • Achieved a 1.26:1 book-to-bill ratio for 2022 resulting in increased backlog of $65.5M compared to $39.7M at the end of 2021.
  • Customer purchase orders included $8.8M to supply cockpit assemblies for military and commercial simulators for different aircrafts including refueling fixed wing aircraft, helicopters and business jets, with the work to be performed by FTG’s Aerospace segment facilities in Toronto, Ontario, Chatsworth, California and Tianjin, China with the majority of this work to be performed in the first half of 2023.
  • FTG was awarded up to $7.0M of funding from FedDev Ontario pursuant to the Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative (ARRI) program. This funding is in the format of a repayable contribution against qualifying investments made by FTG prior to March 31, 2024. The funding will be repayable, without interest, commencing in 2025 through to 2030. Funding received in fiscal 2022 amounted to $1.9M.
  • On November 17, 2022, the Corporation entered into an agreement to acquire IMI, Inc. (“IMI”) based in Haverhill, Massachusetts, north of Boston. The closing of the acquisition is subject to approval by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and other customary closing conditions. FTG will acquire 100% of the common shares of IMI for cash consideration of approximately $2.0M, subject to typical closing adjustments.
  • On December 24, 2022, the Corporation entered into an agreement to acquire Holaday Circuits, Inc based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. The closing of the acquisition is subject to approval by CFIUS and other customary closing conditions. FTG will acquire 100% of Holaday for cash consideration of approximately $24.0M and contingent consideration up to $6.0M, subject to typical closing adjustments.
  • Subsequent to year-end, on January 31, 2023, FTG completed a sale-leaseback transaction for the Aerospace Chatsworth facility, resulting in net cash proceeds of $8.5M.
  • Subsequent to year-end, FTG’s US sites received $3.5M ($US 2.6M) in funds pursuant to the Employment Retention Credit program within the CARES Act, which will be included in income during the first quarter of 2023.

Table 1 / Key Financial Metrics

  Three months ended Years ended
  November 30, November 30,   November 30, November 30,
    2022     2021       2022     2021  
           
Sales $23,750,000   $20,327,000     $89,624,000   $79,365,000  
           
Gross Margin   5,736,000     4,247,000       21,310,000     17,133,000  
Gross Margin (%)   24.2 %   20.9 %     23.8 %   21.6 %
           
Net Earnings to FTG Equity Holders $694,000   ($128,000 )   $698,000   $256,000  
           
Adjusted Net Earnings(1)          
Loss Provision on Sale-leaseback   357,000     -       357,000     -  
Acquisition Expenses   127,000     -       168,000     -  
  $1,178,000   ($128,000 )   $1,223,000   $256,000  
           
Earnings Per Share          
Basic $0.03   $0.00     $0.03   $0.01  
Diluted $0.03   $0.00     $0.03   $0.01  
           
Adjusted Earnings Per Share          
Basic $0.05   $0.00     $0.05   $0.01  
Diluted $0.05   $0.00     $0.05   $0.01  

(1)   Adjusted Net Earnings is not a measure recognized under International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). Management believes that this measure is important to many of the Corporation’s shareholders, creditors and other stakeholders. The Corporation’s method of calculating Adjusted Net Earnings may differ from other corporations and accordingly may not be comparable to measures used by other corporations.

For FTG in 2022, overall sales increased by $10.3M or 13% from $79.4M in 2021 to $89.6M in 2022. Increased revenue in 2022 is the result of the on-going recovery of global air travel following the easing of various pandemic related restrictions, which led to improved market conditions for the commercial aerospace market. The average foreign exchange rate in 2022 was 3% (4 cents) higher than in 2021, with a positive impact on sales of $2.7M.

In our fourth quarter, sales were $23.8M, an increase of $3.4M or 16.8% over Q4 2021. The increase is also attributable to improved market conditions for the commercial aerospace market. The average foreign rate was 7% (9 cents) higher than Q4 2021, with a positive impact on sales of $1.5M.

The Circuits segment sales in 2022 were up $7.4M, or 14.1% compared to last year. All sites contributed to the increase in sales, with the largest dollar increase at the Circuits Toronto plant and the largest percentage increase at the Circuits plant in China. Both of these sites are focused on the Commercial Aerospace market. In the fourth quarter, sales in the Circuits segment were up $1.3M or 8.8%.

For the Aerospace segment, sales in 2022 were up $4.4M or 14.4% compared to last year. All sites contributed to the increase in sales, with the largest dollar increase at the Aerospace Toronto plant and the largest percentage increase at the Aerospace plant in China. Both of these sites are focused on the Commercial Aerospace market. In Q4 2022, Aerospace segment sales were up $2.1M or 30.5%, which included an increase in Simulator product shipments of $1.2M.

Gross margin in 2022 was $21.3M or 23.8% as compared to $17.1M or 21.6% in 2021. Excluding government assistance, the gross margin rate improved to 23.4% in 2022 from 17.6% in 2021. Gross margin in Q4 2022 was $5.7M or 24.2% as compared to $4.2M or 20.9% in Q4 2021. Excluding government assistance, the gross margin rate improved to 24.2% in Q4 2022 from 19.2% in Q4 2021. The increase in the gross margin rate is due to the operating leverage of increased sales volumes and operational efficiencies.

Net earnings after tax at FTG in 2022 was $0.7M or $0.03 per diluted share compared to a net profit of $0.3M or $0.01 per diluted share in 2021. Adjusted net earnings after tax was $1.2M or $0.05 per diluted share in 2022 compared to $0.3M or $0.01 in the prior year. The increase in adjusted net earnings is the result of higher sales volume, offset by reduced government subsidies. In 2022, government subsidies were $0.3M on a pretax basis, as compared to $6.5M in 2021.

Net earnings after tax at FTG in Q4 2022 was $0.7M or $0.03 per diluted share compared to a net loss of $0.1M or $0.00 per diluted share in Q4 2021. Adjusted net earnings after tax was $1.2M or $0.05 per diluted share in Q4 2022 compared to a net loss of $0.1M or $0.00 in the prior year quarter. The increase in adjusted net earnings is the result of higher sales volume, offset by reduced government subsidies. In Q4 2022, government subsidies were $nil as compared to $0.3M in the prior year quarter.

The Circuits segment net earnings before corporate, taxes and interest and other costs was $3.1M in 2022 compared to $5.2M in 2021. The positive impact of higher sales was offset by lower government subsidies, which were $0.3M in 2022 as compared to $4.4M in 2021.

The Aerospace segment net earnings before corporate, taxes and interest and other costs in the full year was $2.9M in 2022 versus $0.8M in 2021. The impact of greater sales volumes and operating performance in 2022 was partially offset by lower government subsidies, which were $nil in 2022 as compared to $2.0M in 2021.

Table 2 / EBITDA

  Three months ended Years ended
  November 30, November 30,   November 30, November 30,
   2022   2021      2022  2021
EBITDA(2)          
Net earnings to equity holders of FTG $694,000 ($128,000 )   $698,000 $256,000
Add:          
Interest, accretion   124,000   133,000       443,000   582,000
Income taxes   235,000   629,000       1,574,000   2,408,000
Depreciation/Amortization/Stock Comp.   1,346,000   1,637,000       5,867,000   6,398,000
  $2,399,000 $2,271,000     $8,582,000 $9,644,000
Adjusted EBITDA(2)          
Loss provision on sale-leaseback   357,000   -       357,000   -
Acquisition expenses   127,000   -       168,000   -
  $2,883,000 $2,271,000     $9,107,000 $9,644,000

(2)   EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures recognized under International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). Management believes that these measures are important to many of the Corporation’s shareholders, creditors and other stakeholders. The Corporation’s method of calculating EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may differ from other corporations and accordingly may not be comparable to measures used by other corporations.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for FTG in 2022 was $8.6M or 9.6% of sales compared to $9.6M or 12.2% of sales in 2021.

For Q4 2022, EBITDA was $2.4M or 10.1% of net sales as compared to $2.3M or 11.2% of net sales in the prior year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2022, which excludes the loss of $0.4M accrued on the sale-leaseback transaction for the Aerospace Chatsworth facility and expenses related to the two pending acquisitions, was $2.9M or 12.1% of net sales.

As at November 30, 2022, the Corporation’s net working capital was $30.8M, compared to $40.0M at year-end in 2021. The decrease is due to a lower net cash position and increase in contract liabilities, partially offset by increased inventory levels. The increases in inventory and contract liabilities is, in part, the result of higher backlog for simulator products, with the purchase of long lead components typically funded by customers.

FTG ended 2022 with $12.3M in net cash as compared to $17.9M at the end of 2021.

The Corporation will host a live conference call on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 8:30am (Eastern) to discuss the results of fiscal year 2022.

Anyone wishing to participate in the call should dial 416-764-8658 or 1-888-886-7786, Conference ID 94863452 and identify that you are calling to participate in the FTG conference call. The Chairperson is Mr. Brad Bourne. A replay of the call will be available until March 9, 2023 and will be available on the FTG website at www.ftgcorp.com. The number to call for a rebroadcast is 416-764-8692 or 1-877-674-7070, Playback Passcode 863452#.

ABOUT FIRAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION

FTG is an aerospace and defense electronics product and subsystem supplier to customers around the globe. FTG has two operating units:

FTG Circuits is a manufacturer of high technology, high reliability printed circuit boards. Our customers are leaders in the aviation, defense, and high technology industries. FTG Circuits has operations in Toronto, Ontario, Chatsworth, California, Fredericksburg, Virginia and a joint venture in Tianjin, China.

FTG Aerospace manufactures and repairs illuminated cockpit panels, keyboards and sub-assemblies for original equipment manufacturers of aerospace and defense equipment. FTG Aerospace has operations in Toronto, Ontario, Chatsworth, California and Tianjin, China.

The Corporation’s shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol FTG.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are related to, but not limited to, FTG’s operations, anticipated financial performance, business prospects and strategies. Forward-looking information typically contains words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “plan” or similar words suggesting future outcomes. Such statements are based on the current expectations of management of the Corporation and inherently involve numerous risks and uncertainties, known and unknown, including economic factors and the Corporation’s industry, generally. The preceding list is not exhaustive of all possible factors. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual events and results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements made by the Corporation. The reader is cautioned to consider these and other factors carefully when making decisions with respect to the Corporation and not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Other than as may be required by law, FTG disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For further information please contact:

Bradley C. Bourne, President and CEO
Firan Technology Group Corporation
Tel: (416) 299-4000 x314
bradbourne@ftgcorp.com

Jamie Crichton, Vice President and CFO
Firan Technology Group Corporation
Tel: (416) 299-4000 x264
jamiecrichton@ftgcorp.com 

Additional information can be found at the Corporation’s website www.ftgcorp.com


FIRAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION    
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position    
           
        November 30, November 30,
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)   2022   2021
ASSETS      
Current assets    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 15,666   $ 20,196
Accounts receivable   16,615     16,014
Contract assets   504     818
Inventories     19,664     16,953
Income tax recoverable   -     1
Prepaid expenses and other   1,498     3,162
          53,947     57,144
Non-current assets    
Property, Plant and equipment, net   10,718     11,078
Non-current assets held for sale   8,471     -
Right-of-use assets   9,463     10,098
Investment tax credits recoverable   -     327
Intangible and other assets, net   399     805
Deferred tax assets   748     -
Total assets   $ 83,746   $ 79,452
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY    
Current liabilities    
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 14,906   $ 13,760
Provisions     823     545
Contract liabilities   4,423     335
Current portion of bank debt   866     935
Current portion of government loan   47     -
Current portion of lease liabilities   1,360     1,553
Income tax payable   712     -
          23,137     17,128
Non-current liabilities    
Bank debt     532     1,327
Government loan   1,883     -
Lease liabilities   8,899     9,123
Deferred tax liabilities   -     789
Total liabilities   34,451     28,367
Equity      
Retained earnings $ 19,521   $ 19,434
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income   (867 )   478
          18,654     19,912
Share capital    
  Common Shares   21,357     21,881
Contributed surplus   8,319     8,352
Total equity attributable to FTG’s shareholders   48,330     50,145
Non-controlling interest   965     940
Total equity   49,295     51,085
Total liabilities and equity $ 83,746   $ 79,452
           


FIRAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION      
Consolidated Statements of Earnings      
         
      Years ended
    November 30,   November 30,
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)   2022       2021  
         
Sales   $ 89,624     $ 79,365  
         
Cost of sales      
Cost of sales   62,991       56,494  
Depreciation of plant and equipment   4,036       4,250  
Depreciation of right-of-use assets   1,287       1,488  
Total cost of sales   68,314       62,232  
Gross margin   21,310       17,133  
         
Expenses      
Selling, general and administrative   12,678       10,950  
Research and development costs   5,851       5,351  
Recovery of investment tax credits   (582 )     (536 )
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment   223       243  
Depreciation of right-of-use assets   63       68  
Amortization of intangible assets   124       240  
Interest expense on bank debt, net   (21 )     92  
Notional interest expense on government loan   20       -  
Accretion on lease liabilities   444       490  
Stock based compensation   128       66  
Foreign exchange (gain) loss   (317 )     595  
Loss provision on sale-leaseback of building   357       -  
Forgiveness of debt   -       (3,004 )
Total expenses   18,968       14,555  
         
Earnings before income taxes   2,342       2,578  
         
Current income tax expense   2,668       2,684  
Deferred income tax recovery   (1,094 )     (276 )
Total income tax expense   1,574       2,408  
         
Net earnings $ 768     $ 170  
         
Attributable to:      
Non-controlling interest $ 70     $ (86 )
Equity holders of FTG $ 698     $ 256  
         
Earnings per share, attributable to the equity holders of FTG      
Basic $ 0.03     $ 0.01  
Diluted $ 0.03     $ 0.01  
         


FIRAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION        
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)        
             
          Years ended
        November 30,   November 30,
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)     2022       2021  
             
Net earnings   $ 768     $ 170  
             
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) to be reclassified to        
  net earnings (loss) in subsequent periods:        
             
  Change in foreign currency translation adjustments     993       (84 )
  Net gain (loss) on valuation of derivative financial instruments        
    designated as cash flow hedges     (2,826 )     (508 )
  Deferred income taxes on net gain (loss) on valuation of        
    derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges     443       127  
             
          (1,390 )     (465 )
             
Total comprehensive loss   $ (622 )   $ (295 )
             
Attributable to:        
Equity holders of FTG   $ (636 )   $ (127 )
Non-controlling interest   $ 14     $ (168 )
             


FIRAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION            
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity            
                 
Year ended November 30, 2022 and 2021 Attributed to the equity holders of FTG
   
          Accumulated      
          other   Non-  
    Common Retained Contributed comprehensive
      controlling Total
(in thousands of Canadian dollars) shares earnings surplus income (loss) Total interest equity
Balance, November 30, 2020 $ 21,881   $ 19,178   $ 8,303   $ 958   $ 50,320   $ 1,011   $ 51,331  
Net earnings (loss)   -     256     -     -     256     (86 )   170  
Stock-based compensation   -     -     49     -     49     -     49  
Other comprehensive income (loss)   -     -     -     (480 )   (480 )   15     (465 )
Balance, November 30, 2021 $ 21,881   $ 19,434   $ 8,352   $ 478   $ 50,145   $ 940   $ 51,085  
Net earnings   -     698     -     -     698     70     768  
Stock-based compensation   -     -     (33 )   -     (33 )   -     (33 )
Repurchase and cancellation of shares   (524 )   (611 )   -     -     (1,135 )   -     (1,135 )
Other comprehensive loss   -     -     -     (1,345 )   (1,345 )   (45 )   (1,390 )
Balance, November 30, 2022 $ 21,357   $ 19,521   $ 8,319   $ (867 ) $ 48,330   $ 965   $ 49,295  
                                           


FIRAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION      
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows      
             
          Years ended
        November 30,   November 30,
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)   2022       2021  
Net inflow (outflow) of cash related to the following:      
Operating activities      
Net earnings $ 768     $ 170  
Items not affecting cash and cash equivalents:      
  Stock-based compensation   128       66  
  Loss (Gain) on disposal of plant and equipment   5       (252 )
  Loss provision on sale-leaseback of building   357       -  
  Effect of exchange rates on U.S. dollar bank debt   (290 )     (133 )
  Depreciation of property, plant and equipment   4,259       4,493  
  Depreciation of right-of-use assets   1,350       1,556  
  Amortization of intangible assets   124       240  
  Amortization, other   6       43  
  Notional interest expense on government loan   20       -  
  Investment tax credits/deferred income taxes   (281 )     773  
  Accretion on lease liabilities   444       490  
  Forgiveness of debt   -       (3,004 )
Net change in non-cash operating working capital   4,371       3,192  
          11,261       7,634  
Investing activities      
  Purchase of Aerospace Chatsworth facility   (8,518 )    
  Additions to property, plant and equipment   (3,793 )     (2,900 )
  Recovery of contract and other costs   294       15  
  Additions to deferred financing costs   (5 )     (65 )
          (12,022 )     (2,950 )
Net cash (used in) flow from operating and investing activities   (7,651 )     4,684  
Financing activities      
  Proceeds from government loan   1,926       -  
  Repayments of bank debt   (943 )     (914 )
  Lease liability payments   (1,579 )     (1,783 )
  Repurchase and cancellation of shares   (1,135 )     -  
          (1,731 )     (2,697 )
Effects of foreign exchange rate changes on cash flow   (2,038 )     (823 )
Net (decrease) increase in cash flow   (4,530 )     1,164  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period   20,196       19,032  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 15,666     $ 20,196  
             
Disclosure of cash payments      
  Payment for interest $ 85     $ 128  
  Payments for income taxes $ 1,074     $ 1,235  


Primary Logo

Powered by EIN News
Distribution channels: Business & Economy, Consumer Goods


EIN Presswire does not exercise editorial control over third-party content provided, uploaded, published, or distributed by users of EIN Presswire. We are a distributor, not a publisher, of 3rd party content. Such content may contain the views, opinions, statements, offers, and other material of the respective users, suppliers, participants, or authors.

Submit your press release