SW Sierra Wireless Inc

Sierra Wireless, Inc. (NASDAQ:SWIR) (TSX:SW):

Q4 highlights from continuing operations

• Record revenue of $118.6 million, up 5.7% compared to Q3, 2013
• Adjusted EBITDA of $6.2 million, compared to $5.9 million in Q3, 2013
• Non-GAAP earnings from operations of $2.6 million, compared to $2.4 million in Q3, 2013

Full year highlights from continuing operations

• Record revenue of $441.9 million, up 11.2% year-over-year
• Adjusted EBITDA of $18.7 million, up 47.9% year-over-year
• Non-GAAP earnings from operations of $5.0 million, compared to $0.9 million in 2012

Sierra Wireless, Inc. (NASDAQ:SWIR) (TSX:SW) today reported results for its fourth quarter and full year, ending December 31, 2013. All results are reported in U.S. dollars and are prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except as otherwise indicated below.

“We achieved record revenue in the fourth quarter, closing out a year in which we delivered solid operational results, sold our AirCard business, and began putting the proceeds to work on acquisitions that extend our leadership position in M2M,” said Jason Cohenour, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are exceptionally well positioned to capture the long-term M2M growth opportunity, and we are focused on continuing to drive profitable organic revenue growth, while we pursue additional acquisitions.”

As a result of the sale of the AirCard business, as well as our recent acquisition of the AnyDATA M2M business and our contemplated acquisition of In Motion Technology, our segments have changed from those reported at December 31, 2012. We are now reporting two segments, OEM Solutions and Enterprise Solutions, and all prior periods have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the two segments.

Q4 2013

Revenue for the fourth quarter of 2013 was $118.6 million, an increase of 8.4% compared to $109.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2012, and an increase of 5.7% compared to $112.3 million in the third quarter of 2013. Revenue from OEM Solutions was $101.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, up 7.4% compared to $94.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. Revenue from Enterprise Solutions was $16.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, up 15.3% compared to $14.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2012.

GAAP

• Gross margin was $38.4 million, or 32.4% of revenue, in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to $36.2 million, or 33.1% of revenue, in the fourth quarter of 2012.
• Operating expenses were $42.0 million and loss from operations was $3.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to operating expenses of $37.7 million and a loss from operations of $1.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2012.
• Net loss from continuing operations was $1.9 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to net earnings from continuing operations of $15.5 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2012. Net earnings in Q4, 2012 included an income tax recovery that was the result of the recognition of certain tax assets that were realizable as a result of the sale of the AirCard business.
• Net loss for continuing and discontinued operations(1) was $0.9 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to net earnings of $19.6 million, or $0.64 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2012.

NON-GAAP

• Gross margin was 32.5% in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to 33.2% in the fourth quarter of 2012.
• Operating expenses were $36.0 million and earnings from operations were $2.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to operating expenses of $32.6 million and earnings from operations of $3.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2012.
• Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA") were $6.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to $7.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2012.
• Net earnings from continuing operations were $3.1 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to $4.5 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Full Year 2013

Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $441.9 million, up 11.2% compared to $397.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. Revenue from OEM Solutions was $382.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, up 10.2% compared to $346.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. Revenue from Enterprise Solutions was $59.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, up 17.8% compared to $50.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.

GAAP

• Gross margin was $145.6 million, or 33.0% of revenue, for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to $125.3 million, or 31.5% of revenue, for the year ended December 31, 2012.
• Operating expenses were $163.3 million and loss from operations was $17.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to operating expenses of $147.5 million and a loss from operations of $22.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.
• Net loss from continuing operations was $15.6 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to a net loss of $4.2 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2012. Net earnings in 2012 included an income tax recovery that was the result of the recognition of certain tax assets that were realizable as a result of the sale of the AirCard business.
• Net earnings from continuing and discontinued operations(1) was $55.0 million, or $1.79 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to net earnings of $27.2 million, or $0.88 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2012.

NON-GAAP

• Gross margin was 33.1% for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to 31.6% for the year ended December 31, 2012.
• Operating expenses were $141.0 million and earnings from operations were $5.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to operating expenses of $124.7 million and earnings from operations of $0.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.
• Adjusted EBITDA was $18.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to $12.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.
• Net earnings from continuing operations were $6.9 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to a net loss of $0.4 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Non-GAAP results exclude the impact of stock-based compensation expense, acquisition costs, gain on sale of the AirCard business, restructuring costs, integration costs, disposition costs, acquisition amortization, impairment, foreign exchange gains or losses on foreign currency contracts and translation of balance sheet accounts, and certain tax adjustments. We disclose non-GAAP amounts as we believe that these measures provide our shareholders with better information about actual operating results and assist in comparisons from one period to another.

Adjusted EBITDA as defined equates to earnings (loss) from operations plus stock-based compensation expense, acquisition costs, restructuring costs, integration costs, impairment, and amortization. The reconciliation between our GAAP and non-GAAP results is provided in the accompanying schedules.

(1) On April 2, 2013, we completed the sale of substantially all of the assets and operations related to our AirCard business. The results of operations and the gain on sale of the AirCard business have been presented as discontinued operations for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

Financial Guidance

The Company provides the following guidance for continuing operations for the first quarter of 2014.

In the first quarter of 2014 we expect solid year-over-year revenue and earnings growth. We expect gross margin to decrease slightly from Q4, 2013 due to a shift in product mix and we expect operating expenses to increase as a result of higher new product certification costs, investment in sales and marketing capabilities, and a full quarter of expenses related to the AnyDATA acquired business.

Q1 2014 Guidance   Consolidated

Non-GAAP

  Revenue $117.0 to $121.0 million Earnings from operations $0.5 to $1.5 million Net earnings $0.4 to $1.2 million Earnings per share $0.01 to $0.04 per share

This non-GAAP guidance for the first quarter of 2014 reflects current business indicators and expectations. Inherent in this guidance are risk factors that are described in greater detail in our regulatory filings. Our actual results could differ materially from those presented above. All figures are approximations based on management's current beliefs and assumptions.

Conference call, webcast and instant replay details

Sierra Wireless President and CEO, Jason Cohenour, and CFO, David McLennan, will host a conference call and webcast with analysts and investors to review the results on Wednesday, February 5, 2014, at 5:30 PM Eastern Time (2:30 PM PT). A live slide presentation will be available for viewing during the call from the link provided below.

To participate in this conference call, please dial the following number approximately ten minutes prior to the commencement of the call:

• Toll-free (Canada and US): 1-877-201-0168
• Alternate number: 1-647-788-4901
• Conference ID: 18174338

For those unable to participate in the live call, a replay will be available until March 5, 2014. Dial 1-855-859-2056 or 1-800-585-8367 and enter the Conference ID number above to access the replay.

To access the webcast, please follow the link below:

Sierra Wireless Q4 and Year End 2013 Financial Results Webcast

If the above link does not work, please copy and paste the following URL into your browser:

http://www.snwebcastcenter.com/webcast/sierrawireless/2013q4/

The webcast will remain available at the above link for one year following the call.

We look forward to having you participate in our call.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements and information in this press release are not based on historical facts and constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Canadian securities laws (“forward-looking statements”) including statements and information relating to our financial guidance for the first quarter of 2014 and our fiscal year 2014, our business outlook for the short and longer term and our strategy, plans and future operating performance. Forward-looking statements are provided to help you understand our views of our short and longer term prospects. We caution you that forward-looking statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. We will not update or revise our forward-looking statements unless we are required to do so by securities laws.

Forward-looking statements:

• Typically include words and phrases about the future such as “outlook”, “may”, “estimates”, “intends”, “believes”, “plans”, “anticipates” and “expects”.
• Are not promises or guarantees of future performance. They represent our current views and may change significantly.
• Are based on a number of material assumptions, including those listed below, which could prove to be significantly incorrect:

• Our ability to develop, manufacture and sell new products and services that meet the needs of our customers and gain commercial acceptance;
• Our ability to continue to sell our products and services in the expected quantities at the expected prices and expected times;
• Expected cost of goods sold;
• Expected component supply constraints;
• Our ability to “win” new business;
• Expected deployment of next generation networks by wireless network operators;
• Our operations are not adversely disrupted by component shortages or other development, operating or regulatory risks; and
• Expected tax rates and foreign exchange rates.

• Are subject to substantial known and unknown material risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause our actual results, achievements and developments in our business to differ significantly from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements, including without limitation, the following factors. These risk factors and others are discussed in our Annual Information Form and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, which may be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov and in our other regulatory filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the United States and the Provincial Securities Commissions in Canada.

• Actual sales volumes or prices for our products and services may be lower than we expect for any reason including, without limitation, continuing uncertain economic conditions, price and product competition, different product mix, the loss of any of our significant customers, or competition from new or established wireless communication companies;
• The cost of products sold may be higher than planned or necessary component supplies may not be available, are delayed or are not available on commercially reasonable terms;
• We may be unable to enforce our intellectual property rights or may be subject to litigation that has an adverse outcome;
• The development and timing of the introduction of our new products may be later than we expect or may be indefinitely delayed;
• Transition periods associated with the migration to new technologies may be longer than we expect; and
• We may experience higher than anticipated costs; disruption of, and demands on, our ongoing business; diversion of management's time and attention; adverse effects on existing business relationships with suppliers and customers and employee issues in connection with the divestiture of the AirCard assets and operations.

About Sierra Wireless

Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SWIR) (TSX: SW) is the global leader in machine-to-machine (M2M) devices and cloud services, delivering intelligent wireless solutions that simplify the connected world. We offer the industry's most comprehensive portfolio of 2G, 3G and 4G embedded modules and gateways, seamlessly integrated with our secure M2M cloud services. Customers worldwide, including OEMs, enterprises, and mobile network operators, trust our innovative solutions to get their connected products and services to market faster. Sierra Wireless has more than 850 employees globally and has R&D centers in North America, Europe and Asia. For more information about Sierra Wireless, visit www.sierrawireless.com.

"AirPrime," "AirLink," and "AirVantage" are trademarks of Sierra Wireless. Other product or service names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

SIERRA WIRELESS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except where otherwise stated)

   

Three months ended December 31,

Twelve months ended December 31,   2013   2012 2013   2012 Revenue $ 118,608 $ 109,405 $ 441,860 $ 397,321 Cost of goods sold   80,165   73,172   296,219   272,047 Gross margin   38,443   36,233   145,641   125,274   Expenses Sales and marketing 10,693 10,176 42,182 37,067 Research and development 19,074 16,294 73,112 61,785 Administration 8,841 7,743 35,164 32,777 Acquisition 369 387 508 3,182 Restructuring 14 42 171 2,251 Integration — — 27 — Amortization   2,999   3,107   12,141   10,418     41,990   37,749   163,305   147,480 Loss from operations (3,547) (1,516) (17,664) (22,206) Foreign exchange gain 1,921 1,608 3,823 3,326 Other income (expense)   26   35   (98)   (196) Earnings (loss) before income taxes (1,600) 127 (13,939) (19,076) Income tax expense (recovery)   345   (15,369)   1,611   (14,874) Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations (1,945) 15,523 (15,550) (4,202) Net earnings from discontinued operations   1,078   4,083   70,588   31,401

Net earnings (loss)

$ (867) $ 19,606 $ 55,038 $ 27,199 Other comprehensive income (loss): Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes of $nil   179 676   604   538 Comprehensive income (loss) $ (688) $ 20,282 $ 55,642 $ 27,737 Basic and diluted net earnings (loss) per share attributable to the Company’s common shareholders (in dollars) Continuing operations $ (0.06 $ 0.50 $ (0.50) $ (0.14) Discontinued operations   0.03   0.14   2.29   1.02 $ (0.03) $ 0.64 $ 1.79 $ 0.88 Weighted average number of shares outstanding (in thousands) Basic 30,804 30,591 30,771 30,788 Diluted   30,804   30,774   30,771   30,788

SIERRA WIRELESS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

    December 31, 2013   December 31, 2012 Assets   Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 177,416 $ 63,646 Short-term investments 2,470 — Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,279 (December 31, 2012 - $2,435) 112,490 108,624 Inventories 8,253 12,675 Deferred income taxes 2,391 22,199 Prepaids and other 28,741 24,252 Assets held for sale   —   54,340 331,761 285,736 Property and equipment 21,982 20,039 Intangible assets 43,631 56,357 Goodwill 102,718 97,961 Deferred income taxes 7,176 3,880 Other assets   4,732   790   $ 512,000 $ 464,763   Liabilities Current liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 124,846 $ 128,216 Deferred revenue and credits 2,481 1,312 Liabilities held for sale   —   10,353 127,327 139,881 Long-term obligations 21,550 26,526 Deferred income taxes   127   300     149,004   166,707 Equity Shareholders’ equity

Common stock: no par value; unlimited shares authorized; issued and outstanding 31,097,844 shares(December 31, 2012 - 30,592,423 shares)

329,628 322,770

Preferred stock: no par value; unlimited shares authorized; issued and outstanding: nil shares

— — Treasury stock: at cost 507,147 shares (December 31, 2012 – 716,313 shares) (5,137) (5,172) Additional paid-in capital 25,996 23,203 Retained earnings (deficit) 19,367 (35,283) Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (6,858)   (7,462)     362,996   298,056   $ 512,000 $ 464,763

SIERRA WIRELESS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

    Three months ended December 31,   Twelve months ended December 31,   2013   2012 2013   2012 Cash flows provided by (used in): Operating activities Net earnings $ (867) $ 19,606 55,038 $ 27,199 Items not requiring (providing) cash Amortization 7,146 7,795 28,296 28,590 Stock-based compensation 2,177 1,703 9,347 6,713 Gain on sale of AirCard business — — (94,078) — Deferred income taxes (855) (9,701) 16,339 (13,606) Loss (gain) on disposal of property, equipment, and intangibles — (76) (10) 107 Impairment of assets related to discontinued operations — — 1,012 — Tax benefit from equity awards 1,458 71 1,458 71 Other (1,288) (1,188) (2,687) (2,414) Taxes paid related to net settlement of equity awards (66) — (408) (4) Changes in non-cash working capital Accounts receivable (17,965) 10,768 10,897 (616) Inventories (696) 1,108 11,908 (4,019) Prepaid expenses and other 4,616 6,014 (7,254) (14,543) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 1,940 (26,540) (13,139) 10,997 Deferred revenue and credits   662   (277) 1,147   (422) Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities   (3,738)   9,283 17,866   38,053 Investing activities Purchase of M2M business of Sagemcom — — — (55,218) Purchase of M2M business of AnyDATA (5,196) — (5,196) — Additions to property and equipment (1,649) (3,995) (11,359) (15,845) Proceeds from sale of property, equipment, and intangibles — 83 32 139 Increase in intangible assets (542) (673) (2,211) (2,607) Net proceeds from sale of AirCard business — — 119,958 — Net change in short-term investments   2,751   — (2,470)   9,347 Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities   (4,636)   (4,585) 98,754   (64,184) Financing activities Issuance of common shares 3,159 9 8,106 436 Repurchase of common shares for cancellation — — (5,772) (6,312) Purchase of treasury shares for RSU distribution — — (3,433) (2,489) Decrease in other long-term obligations   (49)   (169) (876)   (1,000)

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities

  3,110   (160) (1,975)   (9,365) Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   (540)   (420) (875)   (2,233) Cash and cash equivalents, increase (decrease) in the period (5,804) 4,118 113,770 (37,729) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   183,220   59,528   63,646 101,375 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 177,416 $ 63,646 $ 177,416 $ 63,646

SIERRA WIRELESS, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except where otherwise stated)   2013  

2012

Q4   Q3   Q2   Q1   Q4   Q3   Q2   Q1   Gross margin - GAAP $ 38,443 $ 37,346 $ 36,474 $ 33,378 $ 36,233 $ 31,086 $ 30,081 $ 27,874 Stock-based compensation   119     117     95     75     61     82     78     83 Gross margin - Non-GAAP $ 38,562   $ 37,463   $ 36,569   $ 33,453   $ 36,294   $ 31,168   $ 30,159   $ 27,957   Loss from operations - GAAP $ (3,547) $ (3,301) $ (3,932) $ (6,884) $ (1,516) $ (6,728) $ (6,558) $ (7,404) Stock-based compensation 2,177 2,145 2,013 1,655 1,470 1,462 1,403 1,446 Acquisition 369 139 — — 387 2,196 599 — Restructuring 14 14 26 117 42 498 1,531 180 Integration — — 27 — — — — Impairment of intangible asset — — — 280 — — — — Acquisition related amortization   3,580     3,405     3,363     3,393     3,338     2,906     2,665     2,981 Earnings (loss) from operations - Non-GAAP $ 2,593 $ 2,402 $ 1,470 $ (1,412) $ 3,721 $ 334 $ (360) $ (2,797) Amortization (excluding acquisition related amortization)   3,566     3,468     3,403     3,212     3,293     2,904     2,717     2,833 Adjusted EBITDA $ 6,159   $ 5,870   $ 4,873   $ 1,800   $ 7,014   $ 3,238   $ 2,357   $ 36   Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations - GAAP $ (1,945) $ 1,075 $ (6,742) $ (7,938) $ 15,523 $ (3,612) $ (8,868) $ (7,245) Stock-based compensation, restructuring and other, integration, and acquisition related amortization, net of tax 6,112 5,760 5,393 5,355 5,162 6,885 5,658 4,536 Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain) (1,970) (2,457) (1,359) 1,874 (1,655) (1,218) (165) (101) Income tax adjustments   925     (895)     3,754     —     (14,540)     (804)     —     — Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations - Non-GAAP $ 3,122   $ 3,483   $ 1,046   $ (709)   $ 4,490   $ 1,251   $ (3,375)   $ (2,810)   Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations - GAAP $ 1,078 $ (505) $ 68,152 $ 1,863 $ 4,083 $ 7,279 $ 12,449 $ 7,590 Stock-based compensation and disposition costs 3 1,402 876 1,733 1,696 233 233 233 Gain on sale of AirCard business   (1,056)     (49)     (69,077)     —     —     —     —     — Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations - Non-GAAP $ 25   $ 848   $ (49)   $ 3,596   $ 5,779   $ 7,512   $ 12,682   $ 7,823   Net earnings (loss) - GAAP $ (867) $ 570 $ 61,410 $ (6,075) $ 19,606 $ 3,667 $ 3,581 $ 345 Net earnings (loss) - Non-GAAP 3,147 4,331 997 2,887 10,269 8,763 9,307 5,013   Diluted earnings (loss) from continuing operations per share GAAP - (in dollars) $ (0.06) $ 0.03 $ (0.22) $ (0.26) $ 0.50 $ (0.12) $ (0.29) $ (0.23) Non-GAAP - (in dollars) $ 0.10 $ 0.11 $ 0.03 $ (0.02) $ 0.15 $ 0.04 $ (0.11) $ (0.09)   Net earnings (loss) per share - diluted GAAP - (in dollars) $ (0.03) $ 0.02 $ 2.00 $ (0.20) $ 0.64 $ 0.12 $ 0.12 $ 0.01 Non-GAAP - (in dollars) $ 0.10   $ 0.14   $ 0.03   $ 0.09   $ 0.33   $ 0.29   $ 0.30   $ 0.16

SIERRA WIRELESS, INC.

SEGMENTED RESULTS

  (In thousands of U.S. dollars)   2013   2012 (1) Total   Q4   Q3   Q2   Q1     Total   Q4   Q3   Q2   Q1 OEM Solutions Revenue $ 382,016 $ 101,858 $ 95,850 $ 95,076 $ 89,232 $ 346,543 $ 94,874 $ 88,270   $ 83,299 $ 80,100   Cost of goods sold 266,867     72,336     66,395     65,514     62,622       246,284   66,024     63,172       58,844     58,244     Gross margin $ 115,149     $ 29,522     $ 29,455     $ 29,562     $ 26,610       $ 100,259   $ 28,850     $ 25,098       $ 24,455     $ 21,856     Gross margin % 30.1 % 29.0 % 30.7 % 31.1 % 29.8 % 28.9 % 30.4 % 28.4 % 29.4 % 27.3 %   Enterprise Solutions Revenue $ 59,844 $ 16,750 $ 16,412 $ 14,513 $ 12,169 $ 50,778 $ 14,531 $ 11,913 $ 12,099 $ 12,235 Cost of goods sold 29,352     7,829     8,521     7,601     5,401       25,763   7,148     5,925       6,473     6,217   Gross margin $ 30,492     $ 8,921     $ 7,891     $ 6,912     $ 6,768       $ 25,015   $ 7,383     $ 5,988       $ 5,626     $ 6,018   Gross margin % 51.0 % 53.3 % 48.1 % 47.6 % 55.6 % 49.3 % 50.8 % 50.3 % 46.5 % 49.2 %

(1) Comparative information has been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.

Sierra Wireless, Inc.Media Contact:Sharlene Myers, +1 (604) 232-1445Manager, Global Public Relationssmyers@sierrawireless.comorInvestor Contact:David G. McLennan, +1 (604) 231-1181Chief Financial Officerinvestor@sierrawireless.com