CMT Core Molding Technologies Inc

Core Molding Technologies, Inc. (NYSE MKT:CMT) (“Core Molding” or the “Company”) today announced results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2016.

Third Quarter 2016 Compared to Third Quarter 2015:

• Net sales were $41.3 million compared to $48.0 million
• Product sales were $33.8 million compared to $44.2 million
• Gross margin was 13.5% compared to 17.3%
• Operating income was $1.7 million compared to $3.9 million
• Net income was $1.0 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, compared with $2.5 million, or $0.33 per diluted share

Nine Months 2016 Compared to Nine Months 2015:

• Net sales were $125.8 million compared to $152.5 million
• Product sales were $113.2 million compared to $145.6 million
• Gross margin was 16.5% compared to 18.6%
• Operating income was $8.4 million compared to $15.0 million
• Net income was $5.4 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, compared with $9.7 million, or $1.27 per diluted share

Business Overview

Kevin L. Barnett, President and Chief Executive Officer of Core Molding Technologies, stated, “Consistent with our expectations headed into the third quarter, the cyclical decline in build-rates in the heavy-duty truck market resulted in a reduction of our product sales during the period. Lower demand from customers in the heavy-duty truck market was partially offset by an increase in demand from customers in the marine market. Partially offsetting the reduction in product sales was an increase in tooling sales as we completed several tooling projects related to both new and replacement programs during the quarter. Our gross margin declined during the quarter as a result of higher production costs and an unfavorable revenue mix shift, coupled with lower fixed cost absorption related to lower production levels. We continue to focus on reducing operating costs in response to decreasing sales while maintaining the ability to meet the volatile delivery requirements of our customers. While gross margin declined during the quarter, our year-to-date gross margin of 16.5% is within the norm of our historical levels. We also remain diligent in controlling selling, general and administrative costs, which resulted in third quarter 2016 selling, general and administrative expense as a percent of sales remaining roughly in line with the prior year level. Even with the declining product volume, we were able to continue to strengthen our financial position, adding nearly $4 million to our cash balance during the third quarter through free cash flow generation, which positions us well to invest in future growth initiatives.”

“We continue to focus on providing our customers with a wide range of material and process solutions and are proud to have recently announced the introduction of our new technology, HydriliteTM. This ultra-low density SMC formulation enables us to offer our customers a lower density material that supports their lightweighting efforts while providing structural durability and a high-quality surface appearance. We expect HydriliteTM to be attractive across our end markets given customers’ efforts to lightweight their products,” Mr. Barnett added.

Outlook

Mr. Barnett continued, “We anticipate our fourth quarter 2016 sales to be lower relative to 2015 as a result of the continued downturn in activity in the heavy-duty truck market and it is likely that this trend will continue into 2017, albeit to a lesser degree than in the current year. Industry sources currently forecast a decline in North American production of heavy-duty trucks of 30% in 2016, with further weakening of approximately 10% in 2017 before rebounding by nearly 20% in 2018. Our expectation is that our ongoing improvements and cost reduction efforts will catch up to our lower sales levels in 2017, thus stabilizing our gross margins. While fourth quarter product sales are expected to be lower, we anticipate stronger fourth quarter tooling sales than the prior year period as we continue to complete tooling projects for new and replacement programs. Ultimately, we are confident in our ability to profitably manage through this down-cycle as we have with previous downturns over the past 20 years.”

“Diversification into new markets, as well as new materials and processes remains an important part of our strategy to mitigate the impact of the inevitable down-cycles in the heavy duty-truck market. We plan to accomplish this both organically, as well as through acquisitions, by utilizing our strong balance sheet and free cash flow. Additionally, the heavy-duty truck market will continue to be a major part of our business and analysts project a strong rebound in this market over the next several years. With our significant position in the truck market, and the progress we are making expanding our end markets and manufacturing capabilities, we remain optimistic in our ability to deliver long-term profitable growth and returns to our shareholders,” Mr. Barnett concluded.

About Core Molding Technologies, Inc.

Core Molding Technologies, Inc. is a manufacturer of sheet molding compound (SMC) and molder of fiberglass reinforced thermoset and thermoplastic materials. Core specializes in large-format moldings and offers a wide range of fiberglass processes, including compression molding of SMC, glass mat thermoplastics (GMT) and bulk molding compounds (BMC); compression and transfer molding of direct long-fiber thermoplastics (D-LFT); spray-up, lay-up, resin transfer (RTM) and vacuum resin transfer molding (V-RTM). Additionally, the company offers reaction injection molding (RIM) of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD). Core serves a wide variety of markets, including the medium and heavy-duty truck, marine, automotive, agriculture, construction and other commercial products markets. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Core maintains plants in Columbus and Batavia, Ohio; Gaffney, South Carolina; Winona, Minnesota; and Matamoros, Mexico. For further information, visit the company's website at www.coremt.com.

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. As a general matter, forward-looking statements are those focused upon future plans, objectives or performance as opposed to historical items and include statements of anticipated events or trends and expectations and beliefs relating to matters not historical in nature. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and are subject to uncertainties and factors relating to Core Molding Technologies' operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond Core Molding Technologies' control. Words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “expect,” “intend,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These uncertainties and factors could cause Core Molding Technologies' actual results to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, Core Molding Technologies, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update these forward looking statements.

Core Molding Technologies believes that the following factors, among others, could affect its future performance and cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements made in this report: business conditions in the plastics, transportation, marine and commercial product industries (including slowdown in demand for truck production); federal and state regulations (including engine emission regulations); general economic, social and political environments in the countries in which Core Molding Technologies operates; safety and security conditions in Mexico; dependence upon certain major customers as the primary source of Core Molding Technologies' sales revenues; efforts of Core Molding Technologies to expand its customer base; the ability to develop new and innovative products and to diversify markets, materials and processes and increase operational enhancements; the actions of competitors, customers, and suppliers; failure of Core Molding Technologies' suppliers to perform their obligations; the availability of raw materials; inflationary pressures; new technologies; regulatory matters; labor relations; the loss or inability of Core Molding Technologies to attract and retain key personnel; the Company’s ability to successfully identify, evaluate and manage potential acquisitions and to benefit from and properly integrate any completed acquisitions; federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations; the availability of capital; the ability of Core Molding Technologies to provide on-time delivery to customers, which may require additional shipping expenses to ensure on-time delivery or otherwise result in late fees; risk of cancellation or rescheduling of orders; management's decision to pursue new products or businesses which involve additional costs, risks or capital expenditures; and other risks identified from time-to-time in Core Molding Technologies' other public documents on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those described in Item 1A of the Company’s 2015 Annual Report to stockholders on Form 10-K.

(See Accompanying Tables)

 

CORE MOLDING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

(in thousands, expect per share data)

    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended September 30,   September 30, 2016   2015 2016   2015 Net sales: Products $ 33,816 $ 44,243 $ 113,159 $ 145,612 Tooling 7,520 3,806 12,651 6,893 Total net sales 41,336 48,049 125,810 152,505   Total cost of sales 35,755 39,738 105,043 124,186   Gross margin 5,581 8,311 20,767 28,319   Total selling, general and administrative expense 3,924 4,409 12,361 13,294   Operating income 1,657 3,902 8,406 15,025   Interest expense 67 95 233 237   Income before income taxes 1,590 3,807 8,173 14,788   Income tax expense 561 1,323 2,794 5,069   Net income $ 1,029 $ 2,484 $ 5,379 $ 9,719   Net income per common share: Basic $ 0.13 $ 0.33 $ 0.71 $ 1.28 Diluted $ 0.13 $ 0.33 $ 0.70 $ 1.27 Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 7,635 7,597 7,616 7,578 Diluted 7,667 7,625 7,649 7,623    

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

   

As of9/30/2016(Unaudited)

As of12/31/2015

Assets: Cash $ 24,311 $ 8,943 Accounts Receivable 21,190 36,886 Inventories 11,325 13,697 Other Current Assets 2,786 3,158 Property, Plant and Equipment, net 71,212 74,103 Goodwill 2,403 2,403 Intangibles, net 575 613 Total Assets $ 133,802 $ 139,803   Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Current Portion of Long-term Debt $ 3,000 $ 3,714 Accounts Payable 9,704 13,481 Compensation and Related Benefits 5,187 8,474 Tooling in Progress 1,072 2,271 Current portion of post retirement benefits liability 1,088 1,088 Accrued Liabilities and Other 1,501 2,122 Long-Term Debt 7,500 9,750 Deferred Tax Liability 2,252 2,252 Post Retirement Benefits Liability 7,890 7,918 Stockholders' Equity 94,608 88,733 Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 133,802 $ 139,803  

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Company:Core Molding Technologies, Inc.John Zimmer, 614-870-5604Vice President & Chief Financial Officerjzimmer@coremt.comorInvestor Relations:The Equity Group Inc.Fred Buonocore, 212-836-9607fbuonocore@equityny.comorKevin Towle, 212-836-9620ktowle@equityny.comwww.theequitygroup.com