Astec Industries Reports Third Quarter 2017 Results

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Oct. 24, 2017 -- Astec Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASTE) today reported results for their third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2017. 

Net sales for the third quarter of 2017 were $252.1 million compared to $247.8 million for the third quarter of 2016, a 1.7% increase. Domestic sales decreased 1.7% to $196.5 million for the third quarter of 2017 from $199.9 million for the third quarter of 2016.  International sales were $55.6 million for the third quarter of 2017 compared to $47.9 million for the third quarter of 2016, an increase of 16.0%.     

The net loss for the third quarter of 2017 was $2.7 million, or $0.12 per share, compared to earnings of $6.8 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2016, a decrease of 140.0% per diluted share.  As previously announced, the company initiated significant design upgrades to its customers’ Georgia and Arkansas wood pellet plants to meet full production rates, which negatively impacted earnings per share by approximately $0.59 during the third quarter of 2017. 

Net sales for the first nine months of 2017 were $872.4 million compared to $820.9 million for the first nine months of 2016, a 6.3% increase.  Domestic sales increased 1.6% to $686.9 million for the first nine months of 2017 from $676.3 million for the first nine months of 2016.  International sales were $185.5 million for the first nine months of 2017 compared to $144.6 million for the first nine months of 2016, an increase of 28.3%.     

Earnings for the first nine months of 2017 were $26.9 million, or $1.16 per diluted share, compared to $42.8 million, or $1.85 per diluted share, for the first nine months of 2016, a decrease of 37.3% per diluted share. 

The Company’s backlog at September 30, 2017 was $385.5 million compared to $389.3 million at September 30, 2016, a decrease of $3.8 million or 1.0%.  Domestic backlog decreased 4.9% to $309.5 million at September 30, 2017 from $325.6 million at September 30, 2016.  The international backlog at September 30, 2017 was $76.0 million compared to $63.7 million at September 30, 2016, an increase of 19.3%.  Excluding pellet plant backlogs, the Company’s September 30, 2017 backlog increased $61.1 million, or 24.8%, compared to September 30, 2016. 

Consolidated financial information for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and additional information related to segment revenues and profits are attached as addenda to this press release.

Commenting on the announcement, Benjamin G. Brock, Chief Executive Officer, stated, “During the quarter, we executed well across the business driving earnings in line with our expectations, and adjusting for the previously announced pellet plant investment costs, improved gross margin performance year-over-year. Our backlog increased $61.1 million, again excluding the impact of the wood pellet plant investment, versus last year, which witnessed growth both domestically and internationally.  Domestically, we continue to experience a good market for our products primarily due to the federal highway bill and other state and local level funding mechanisms.  Internationally, our strategy of keeping our sales and service structure in place has allowed us to earn orders driven by pent up demand as global market conditions improve.”

Mr. Brock concluded, “While we exited the third quarter with a strong backlog, product mix and contracted delivery schedules have tempered our expectations for the fourth quarter.  We believe that we still have a good opportunity to drive slight year-over-year sales growth for 2017; however, our originally anticipated uptick in sales and earnings growth during the fourth quarter will be pushed into 2018.  Sequentially, we expect earnings in the fourth quarter of 2017 will be slightly below this quarter’s earnings, adjusting for the wood pellet investment.  As we look to 2018, we are very optimistic on our outlook given our backlog, quote activity and conversations with our customers.”

Investor Conference Call and Web Simulcast

Astec will conduct a conference call on Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time to review its third quarter results as well as current business conditions.  The number to call for this interactive teleconference is (877) 407-9210.  International callers should dial (201) 689-8049.   Please reference Astec Industries.

The Company will also provide an online Web simulcast and rebroadcast of the conference call.  The live broadcast of Astec’s conference call will be available online at the Company’s website:  www.astecindustries.com/conferencecalls. An archived webcast will be available for 90 days at www.astecindustries.com.

A replay of the conference call will be available through midnight on Tuesday, November 7, 2017 by dialing (877) 481-4010, or (919) 882-2331 for international callers, Conference ID #21299.  A transcript of the conference call will be made available under the Investor Relations section of the Astec Industries, Inc. website within 5 business days after the call.

Astec Industries, Inc. is a manufacturer of specialized equipment for asphalt road building; aggregate processing; oil, gas and water well drilling; and wood processing.  Astec’s manufacturing operations are divided into three primary business segments:  road building, wood pellet production and related equipment (Infrastructure Group); aggregate processing and mining equipment (Aggregate and Mining Group); and equipment for the extraction and production of fuels, biomass production, and water drilling equipment (Energy Group). 

The information contained in this press release contains “forward-looking statements” (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) regarding the future performance of the Company, including statements about the effects on the Company from the federal highway bill, its backlog, the strong U.S. Dollar and global market conditions.  These forward-looking statements reflect management’s expectations and are based upon currently available information, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise such statements.  These statements are not guarantees of performance and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which cannot be predicted or anticipated.  Future events and actual results, financial or otherwise, could differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements.  Important factors that could cause future events or actual results to differ materially include:  general uncertainty in the economy, oil, gas and liquid asphalt prices, rising steel prices, decreased funding for highway projects, the relative strength/weakness of the dollar to foreign currencies, production capacity, general business conditions in the industry, demand for the Company’s products, seasonality and cyclicality in operating results, seasonality of sales volumes or lower than expected sales volumes, lower than expected margins on custom equipment orders, competitive activity, tax rates and the impact of future legislation thereon, and those other factors listed from time to time in the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. 

For Additional Information Contact:
Benjamin G. Brock
Chief Executive Officer
Phone: (423) 867-4210
Fax: (423) 867-4127
E-mail: [email protected] 
or
David C. Silvious
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Phone: (423) 899-5898
Fax: (423) 899-4456
E-mail: [email protected] 
or
Stephen C. Anderson
Vice President, Director of Investor Relations & Corporate Secretary
Phone: (423) 899-5898
Fax: (423) 899-4456
E-mail: [email protected]