Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Forward-Looking Statements
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and other sections of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 (“2020 Q1 Form 10-Q”) contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections about our business, management’s beliefs, and assumptions made by management. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “should,” “could,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of important factors. While it is impossible to identify all such factors, those that could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated by us include changes in demand and market prices for our products, product mix, bidding activity, the timing of customer orders and deliveries, production schedules, the price and availability of raw materials, price and volume of imported product, excess or shortage of production capacity, international trade policy and regulations, changes in tariffs and duties imposed on imports and exports and related impacts on us, our ability to identify and complete internal initiatives and/or acquisitions in order to grow our business, our ability to effectively integrate Geneva Pipe Company, Inc. (“Geneva”) and other acquisitions into our business and operations and achieve significant administrative and operational cost synergies and accretion to financial results, the impacts of recent U.S. tax reform legislation on our results of operations, the adequacy of our insurance coverage, operating problems at our manufacturing operations including fires, explosions, inclement weather, natural disasters, and the impact of pandemics, epidemics, or other public health emergencies, such as the recent outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”), and other risks discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 (“2019 Form 10-K”) and from time to time in our other Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this 2020 Q1 Form 10-Q. If we do update or correct one or more forward-looking statements, investors and others should not conclude that we will make additional updates or corrections with respect thereto or with respect to other forward-looking statements.
Overview
Northwest Pipe Company is the largest manufacturer of engineered steel water pipeline systems in North America. Our manufacturing facilities are strategically positioned to meet growing water and wastewater infrastructure needs. Our solution-based products serve a wide range of markets including water transmission and infrastructure, water and wastewater plant piping, structural stormwater and sewer systems, trenchless technology, and pipeline rehabilitation. Our prominent position is based on a widely-recognized reputation for quality, service, and manufacturing to meet performance expectations in all categories including highly-corrosive environments. These pipeline systems are produced from several manufacturing facilities which are located in Portland, Oregon; Adelanto, California; Saginaw, Texas; Tracy, California; Parkersburg, West Virginia; Salt Lake City, Utah; Orem, Utah; St. George, Utah; St. Louis, Missouri; and San Luis Río Colorado, Mexico.
On January 31, 2020, we completed the acquisition of 100% of Geneva Pipe Company, Inc. for a purchase price of approximately $49.4 million in cash, subject to a post-closing adjustment based on changes in net working capital. Geneva is a concrete pipe and precast concrete products manufacturer based in Utah. This acquisition expanded our water infrastructure product capabilities by adding additional reinforced concrete pipe capacity and a full line of precast concrete products including storm drains and manholes, catch basins, vaults, and curb inlets as well as innovative lined products that extend the life of concrete pipe and manholes for sewer applications. Operations have continued with Geneva's previous management and workforce at the three manufacturing facilities.
Our water infrastructure products are sold generally to installation contractors, who include our products in their bids to federal, state, and municipal agencies, privately-owned water companies, or developers for specific projects. We believe our sales are substantially driven by spending on urban growth and new water infrastructure with a recent trend towards spending on water infrastructure replacement, repair, and upgrade. Within the total range of pipe products, our steel products tend to fit the larger-diameter, higher-pressure applications.
Our Current Economic Environment
We operate our business with a long-term time horizon. Projects are often planned for many years in advance, and are sometimes part of 50-year build-out plans. Long-term demand for water infrastructure projects in the United States appears strong. However, in the near term, we expect that strained governmental and water agency budgets and financing along with increased capacity from competition could impact the business. Fluctuating steel costs will also be a factor, as the ability to adjust our selling prices as steel costs fluctuate depends on market conditions. Purchased steel represents a substantial portion of our cost of sales, and changes in our selling prices often correlate directly to changes in steel costs.
Impact of COVID-19 on our Business
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in governments around the world implementing increasingly stringent measures to help control the spread of the virus, including quarantines, “shelter in place” and “stay at home” orders, travel restrictions, business curtailments, school closures, and other measures. In addition, governments and central banks in several parts of the world have enacted fiscal and monetary stimulus measures to counteract the economic impacts of COVID-19.
Consistent with national guidelines and with state and local orders to date, we currently continue to operate our manufacturing facilities in the United States as we produce critical water infrastructure products. We have taken proactive and precautionary steps to ensure the safety of our employees, customers, and suppliers, including frequent cleaning and disinfection of workspaces, property and equipment, instituting social distancing measures, and mandating remote working environments for certain employees.
In early April 2020, we were ordered to close our water infrastructure manufacturing facility in San Luis Río Colorado, Mexico (“SLRC”) through April 30, 2020 as a result of mandates made by Mexican authorities that companies that do not carry out essential activities must suspend business operations in order to combat and eradicate the existence and transmission of COVID-19. In mid-April 2020, the Mexican authorities extended this closure to May 31, 2020. We are diverting current orders on a case-by-case basis to our United States-based facilities until we resume operations in our SLRC facility and do not believe the impact of moving the production is material to our financial results. We estimate the costs required to maintain the SLRC facility in a secure and operational state and compensate the furloughed employees currently is $0.8 million per quarter.
While COVID-19 did not have a material adverse effect on our reported results for our first quarter, we are unable to predict the ultimate impact that it may have on our business, future results of operations, financial position, or cash flows. The extent to which our operations may be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic will depend largely on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the outbreak and actions by government authorities to contain the outbreak or treat its impact. Furthermore, the impacts of a potential worsening of global and domestic economic conditions, including the long-term potential to reduce or delay funding of municipal projects, and the continued disruptions to and volatility in the financial markets remain unknown.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain financial information regarding costs and expenses expressed in dollars (in thousands) and as a percentage of total Net sales.
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, 2020
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
% of Net Sales
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
% of Net Sales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
$
|
68,923
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
$
|
62,643
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
Cost of sales
|
|
|
59,344
|
|
|
|
86.1
|
|
|
|
56,072
|
|
|
|
89.5
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
9,579
|
|
|
|
13.9
|
|
|
|
6,571
|
|
|
|
10.5
|
|
Selling, general, and administrative expense
|
|
|
7,945
|
|
|
|
11.5
|
|
|
|
4,247
|
|
|
|
6.8
|
|
Operating income
|
|
|
1,634
|
|
|
|
2.4
|
|
|
|
2,324
|
|
|
|
3.7
|
|
Other income (expense)
|
|
|
(401
|
)
|
|
|
(0.6
|
)
|
|
|
159
|
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
(219
|
)
|
|
|
(0.3
|
)
|
|
|
(131
|
)
|
|
|
(0.2
|
)
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
|
1,036
|
|
|
|
1.5
|
|
|
|
2,356
|
|
|
|
3.8
|
|
Income tax expense
|
|
|
472
|
|
|
|
0.7
|
|
|
|
191
|
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
564
|
|
|
|
0.8
|
%
|
|
$
|
2,165
|
|
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
We have one operating segment, Water Infrastructure, which produces high-quality engineered steel water pipe, precast and reinforced concrete products, Permalok® steel casing pipe, bar-wrapped concrete cylinder pipe, as well as custom linings, coatings, joints, fittings, and specialized components. These products are primarily used in water infrastructure including water transmission and infrastructure, water and wastewater plant piping, structural stormwater and sewer systems, trenchless technology, and pipeline rehabilitation. See Note 2 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I – Item I. “Financial Statements” of this 2020 Q1 Form 10-Q for information on our acquisition of Geneva in January 2020.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Net sales. Net sales increased 10.0% to $68.9 million for the first quarter of 2020 compared to $62.6 million for the first quarter of 2019 primarily due to the acquired Geneva operations, which contributed $8.0 million in net sales during the first quarter of 2020. Bidding activity, backlog, and production levels may vary significantly from period to period affecting sales volumes.
Gross profit. Gross profit increased 45.8% to $9.6 million (13.9% of Net sales) for the first quarter of 2020 compared to $6.6 million (10.5% of Net sales) for the first quarter of 2019 primarily due to improved product pricing in our steel pressure pipe business, as well as the addition of the acquired Geneva operations. This was partially offset by $0.4 million in incremental production costs in the first quarter of 2020 resulting from the fire at our Saginaw facility in April 2019. Any further insurance recoveries associated with these costs will be recorded as they are received in future quarters as we work with our insurer to settle the remaining claim.
Selling, general, and administrative expense. Selling, general, and administrative expense increased 87.1% to $7.9 million (11.5% of total Net sales) for the first quarter of 2020 compared to $4.2 million (6.8% of total Net sales) for the first quarter of 2019 primarily due to $2.5 million in professional and other fees related to the acquisition of Geneva and $1.3 million in higher compensation-related expense, primarily related to incentive compensation.
Income taxes. Income tax expense was $0.5 million in the first quarter of 2020 (an effective income tax rate of 45.6%) compared to $0.2 million in the first quarter of 2019 (an effective income tax rate of 8.1%). The effective income tax rate for the first quarter of 2020 was impacted primarily by costs associated with the acquisition of Geneva that are expected to be non-deductible for tax purposes. The effective income tax rate for the first quarter of 2019 was impacted by the estimated changes in our valuation allowance. The effective income tax rate can change significantly depending on the relationship of permanent income tax deductions and tax credits to estimated pre-tax income or loss and the changes in valuation allowances. Accordingly, the comparison of effective income tax rates between periods is not meaningful in all situations.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Sources and Uses of Cash
Our principal sources of liquidity generally include operating cash flows and the Credit Agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (“Wells Fargo”) dated October 25, 2018 (“Credit Agreement”), as amended on January 31, 2020 by the Consent and Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement with Wells Fargo (collectively the “Amended Credit Agreement”). From time to time our long-term capital needs may be met through the issuance of long-term debt or additional equity. Our principal uses of liquidity generally include capital expenditures, working capital, and debt service. Information regarding our cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 are presented in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows contained in Part I – Item 1. “Financial Statements” of this 2020 Q1 Form 10-Q, and are further discussed below.
As we cannot predict the duration or scope of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our customers and suppliers, the potential negative financial impact to our results cannot be reasonably estimated, but could be material. We are actively managing the business to maintain cash flow and believe we have liquidity to meet our anticipated funding requirements and other near-term obligations.
As of March 31, 2020, our working capital (current assets minus current liabilities) was $129.6 million compared to $153.5 million as of December 31, 2019. Cash and cash equivalents totaled $9.7 million and $31.0 million as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The decrease is primarily attributable to the cash used in January 2020 for the acquisition of Geneva.
Fluctuations in our working capital accounts result from timing differences between production, shipment, invoicing, and collection, as well as changes in levels of production and costs of materials. We typically have a relatively large investment in working capital, as we generally pay for materials, labor, and other production costs in the initial stages of a project, while payments from our customers are generally received after finished product is delivered. A portion of our revenues are recognized over time as the manufacturing process progresses; therefore, cash receipts typically occur subsequent to when revenue is recognized and the elapsed time between when revenue is recorded and when cash is received can be significant. As such, our payment cycle is a significantly shorter interval than our collection cycle, although the effect of this difference in the cycles may vary by project, and from period to period.
Net cash provided by operating activities in the first three months of 2020 was $15.0 million compared to $10.4 million in the first three months of 2019. Net income, adjusted for non-cash items, generated $4.9 million of operating cash flow in the first three months of 2020 compared to $5.0 million in the first three months of 2019. The net change in working capital resulted in an increase to net cash provided by operations of $10.1 million in the first three months of 2020 compared to $5.4 million in the first three months of 2019.
Net cash used in investing activities in the first three months of 2020 was $51.7 million compared to $1.6 million in the first three months of 2019. Net cash used in investing activities in the first three months of 2020 includes the acquisition of Geneva of $48.7 million, net of cash acquired. Capital expenditures were $2.9 million in the first three months of 2020 compared to $1.6 million in the first three months of 2019, which was primarily standard capital replacement. We currently expect capital expenditures in 2020 to be approximately $10 million to $12 million primarily for standard capital replacement.
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities in the first three months of 2020 was $15.3 million compared to $(11.6) million in the first three months of 2019. Borrowings on long-term debt were $15.9 million in the first three months of 2020. There were no net borrowings (repayments) on the line of credit in the first three months of 2020 compared to $(11.5) million in the first three months of 2019.
We anticipate that our existing cash and cash equivalents, cash flows expected to be generated by operations, and amounts available under the Amended Credit Agreement will be adequate to fund our working capital, debt service, and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next twelve months, depending on continued developments with respect to the COVID‑19 pandemic. To the extent necessary, we may also satisfy capital requirements through additional bank borrowings, senior notes, term notes, subordinated debt, and finance and operating leases, if such resources are available on satisfactory terms. We have from time to time evaluated and continue to evaluate opportunities for acquisitions and expansion. Any such transactions, if consummated, may use a portion of our working capital or necessitate additional bank borrowings or other sources of funding. As previously discussed, we acquired Geneva in January 2020, which was funded by working capital and borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement.
On September 15, 2017, our registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-216802) covering the potential future sale of up to $120 million of our equity and/or debt securities or combinations thereof, was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission. This registration statement provides another potential source of capital, in addition to other alternatives already in place. We cannot be certain that funding will be available on favorable terms or available at all. To the extent that we raise additional funds by issuing equity securities, our shareholders may experience significant dilution. As of the date of this 2020 Q1 Form 10-Q, we have not yet sold any securities under this registration statement, nor do we have an obligation to do so. Please refer to the factors discussed in Part I – Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our 2019 Form 10-K.
Line of Credit and Long-Term Debt
As of March 31, 2020, under the Amended Credit Agreement, we had no revolving loan borrowings, $1.6 million of outstanding letters of credit, and $15.9 million of long-term debt.
The Amended Credit Agreement expires on October 25, 2024 and provides for a term loan, as well as letters of credit and revolving loans in the aggregate amount of up to $74 million, subject to a borrowing base (“Revolver Commitment”). As of March 31, 2020, we had additional revolving loan borrowing capacity of $60.4 million. Based on our business plan and forecasts of operations, we expect to have sufficient credit availability to support our operations for at least the next twelve months.
Revolving loan borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement bear interest at rates related to the daily three month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 1.5% to 2.0%. The Amended Credit Agreement also provides a mechanism for determining an alternative benchmark rate to the LIBOR. The Amended Credit Agreement requires the payment of an unused line fee of between 0.25% and 0.375%, based on the amount by which the Revolver Commitment exceeds the average daily balance of outstanding borrowings (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) during any month. Such fee is payable monthly in arrears.
Pursuant to the Amended Credit Agreement, on March 31, 2020, we entered into a term loan for $15.9 million with Wells Fargo that matures on October 25, 2024 and bears interest at the daily three month LIBOR plus 2.0% to 2.5%. The term loan requires monthly principal payments of $0.3 million plus accrued interest. As of March 31, 2020, the outstanding balance of the term loan was $15.9 million. We are obligated to prepay the term loan to the extent that the outstanding principal balance at any time exceeds 60% of the fair market value of specified real property securing the loan. We are also obligated to prepay the term loan in an amount equal to 20% of Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement). Subject to certain limitations, we may also voluntarily prepay the balance upon ten business days’ written notice.
The Amended Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, as well as customary affirmative and negative covenants, events of default, and indemnification provisions in favor of the lender. The negative covenants include restrictions regarding the incurrence of liens and indebtedness and certain acquisitions and dispositions of assets and other matters, all subject to certain exceptions. The Amended Credit Agreement also requires us to regularly provide financial information to Wells Fargo. Under the terms of the Amended Credit Agreement, mandatory prepayments may be required to the extent the revolving loans exceed the borrowing base or the Maximum Revolver Amount (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement), or in the event we or our named affiliates receive cash proceeds from the sale or disposition of assets (including proceeds of insurance or arising from casualty losses), subject to certain limitations and exceptions, including sales of assets in the ordinary course of business.
The Amended Credit Agreement imposes financial covenants requiring us to maintain a Senior Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) not greater than 3.00 and a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) of at least 1.10 to 1.00. We were in compliance with all financial covenants as of March 31, 2020. Based on our business plan and forecasts of operations, we believe we will remain in compliance with our financial covenants for the next twelve months.
Our obligations under the Amended Credit Agreement are secured by a security interest in certain real property owned by us and our subsidiaries and substantially all of our and our subsidiaries’ other assets.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
For a description of recent accounting pronouncements affecting our company, including the dates of adoption and estimated effects on financial position, results of operations, and cash flows, see Note 14 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I – Item I. “Financial Statements” of this 2020 Q1 Form 10‑Q.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I – Item 1. “Financial Statements” of this 2020 Q1 Form 10-Q, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate all of our estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, business combinations, goodwill, inventories, property and equipment, including depreciation and valuation, share-based compensation, income taxes, allowance for doubtful accounts, and litigation and other contingencies. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Other than the goodwill policy discussed below, there have been no significant changes in our critical accounting policies and estimates during the three months ended March 31, 2020 as compared to the critical accounting policies and estimates disclosed in our 2019 Form 10-K.
Goodwill
Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually at December 31 or whenever events occur or circumstances change that indicates goodwill may be impaired. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment (also known as a component). Our reporting unit is equivalent to our operating segment as the individual components meet the criteria for aggregation.
In testing goodwill for impairment, we have the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances indicate that it is more-likely-than-not (more than 50%) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. When performing a qualitative assessment, we evaluate factors such as industry and market conditions, cost factors, overall financial performance, and other relevant entity specific events and changes. In the evaluation, we look at the long-term prospects for the reporting unit and recognize that current performance may not be the best indicator of future prospects or value, which requires management judgment.
If the qualitative assessment indicates that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, or if we choose not to perform the qualitative assessment, then a quantitative assessment is performed to determine the reporting unit’s fair value. The fair value calculation uses a combination of income and market approaches. The income approach is based upon projected future after-tax cash flows discounted to present value using factors that consider the timing and risk associated with the future after-tax cash flows. The market approach is based upon historical and/or forward-looking measures using multiples of revenue or earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization. We utilize a weighted average of the income and market approaches, with a heavier weighting on the income approach because of the relatively limited number of direct comparable entities for which relevant multiples are available. If the reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, then an impairment loss is recognized for the amount of the excess of the carrying amount over the reporting unit’s fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.