SUPC Superior Consultant Holdings (MM)

Superior Consultant Reports Quarterly Profit, Anticipates Exceeding Targets For 2004 Superior expects continued profitability and growth SOUTHFIELD, Mich., April 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Superior Consultant Holdings Corporation today reported its first quarter 2004 operating results and that it expects to exceed its 2004 targets. For the first quarter of 2004, the company reported net revenue of $24.6 million, compared with $21.9 million in the same quarter a year ago. The company reported positive EBITDA for the quarter of $1.8 million and earnings per diluted share of $0.02, compared with EBITDA of $0.3 million and a net loss of ($0.08) per share in the same quarter last year. Outsourcing net revenue increased 45.0% over the same quarter in the prior year. Following a competitive bid process, the company has been selected as vendor of choice for a new, multi-year, multi-million dollar outsourcing contract with a West Coast health system; contract negotiations are in the final stages. Superior has reached agreement on all major items in another previously announced multi-year, multi-million dollar outsourcing contract negotiation with a Midwest health system. The combined value of these contracts, if successfully concluded, is approximately $100 million. The company's outsourcing sales prospect pipeline increased to $790 million. "The past quarter marks a significant step forward in the plans we announced three years ago to transition to a strong recurring revenue model," said Chief Executive Officer Richard D. Helppie. "Building upon high client satisfaction and industry recognition as the best value in healthcare information technology, we have seen the results of our investments and corporate focus as we mark our sixth consecutive quarter of in-line performance, a second straight quarter of profitability, and an expectation of further growth in revenue and profitability. Superior's revenue from long- term, recurring revenue contracts is approaching 50%, and we currently have a backlog of $268 million in sold work. Additionally, we have two multi-year outsourcing agreements in the final stages of negotiations, which we expect will add approximately $100 million to our backlog." "Superior increased its revenue over the same quarter last year and achieved additional operating efficiencies," said Richard R. Sorensen, Chief Financial Officer. "We reported increases in our profit, operating margin and EBITDA, and we ended the quarter with $12.2 million in cash. Uses of cash during the quarter consisted primarily of the purchase of software and equipment related to our outsourcing contracts, debt service associated with our financing arrangements, and stock repurchases. Additionally, in the second quarter we secured commitments for increased financing capacity and expect to further add to our available cash through the sale of under-utilized real estate." SG&A in the first quarter improved to 24.1% of net revenue from 26.0% last quarter and 31.1% in the same quarter of 2003. Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) were 49, compared with 46 last quarter and 59 one year ago. Operating margin improved to 1.8% in the quarter, compared with 1.0% in the prior quarter, excluding restructuring recovery, and (3.7%) in the same quarter of 2003. Gross margin for the quarter was 25.9%, compared with 27.4% in the same quarter one year ago. "During the quarter, we focused on delivery of our outsourcing and consulting commitments," said George S. Huntzinger, President and Chief Operating Officer. "Superior's transformational outsourcing solution has generated high satisfaction among our clients as it continues to propel them toward achievement of their business goals. Supported by world-class infrastructure, our single-source application delivery and process change approach provides clients a faster and more significant return on their information technology investment. Accordingly, during the quarter we continued to focus on development and delivery of best practices solutions. From an economic perspective, the Superior Processing Center has reached a utilization level where it has transitioned from the investment stage to become a contributor to gross margin." "In consulting, we gained new clinical transformation and revenue cycle engagements during the quarter, we saw a 77% revenue increase in interim management engagements, and we noted revenue growth in some of our vendor application delivery areas," Huntzinger continued. "We sold 12 consulting engagements valued in excess of $200,000, and two of our new clients during the quarter awarded us contracts valued in excess of $100,000. Accepted proposals for consulting work totaled $11.5 million for the first quarter, and our pipeline for consulting opportunities increased during the quarter. Thus far in 2004, we have added $33.2 million in consulting sales, including a $12.5 million, multi-year, enterprise-wide electronic medical records and implementation engagement, with physician order entry and decision support, which closed in the second quarter," Huntzinger concluded. OUTLOOK "Dramatic results can be achieved in terms of healthcare quality, operational improvement and cost reduction by applying specific digital technology and process change to the healthcare delivery continuum," said Helppie. "In recent years, backed by two decades of hands-on industry experience, Superior constructed both a set of solutions to enable healthcare organizations to achieve tangible results and a new business model with greater recurring revenue. As a result, we are seeing more opportunities to make an even bigger impact in the healthcare industry." Based on the results for the first quarter, the current sales prospect pipeline, and other factors, Superior anticipates that 2004 results will exceed the previously published guidance. Net revenue is expected to be above the previously announced range of approximately $102 million to $107 million, earnings per basic share is expected to be above the previously announced $0.08 to $0.13, and EBITDA is expected to exceed the previously announced guidance range of $8.0 to $8.5 million. The revenue forecast is based on revenue recognized in the first quarter, a current booked backlog of $56.7 million for the remainder of the year, and client indications of an additional $10.6 million. As previously announced, the company expects to continue to show quarterly improvement over comparable 2003 quarters throughout the year. The company's guidance is also predicated on anticipated success in winning and servicing new outsourcing and consulting contracts, achievement of the anticipated revenue mix between outsourcing and consulting, and continued expense controls. Early in the second quarter, the company received an unsolicited purchase offer for an office building and subsequently reached an agreement for its sale. The transaction is expected to add approximately $1.7 million in cash to the company's balance sheet. Superior expects that the transaction will result in a non-cash write-down of approximately $450,000 to reflect the difference between the sale price and the net book value of the building, plus approximately $100,000 in commission charges. The write-down is expected to be substantially offset during the year by replacing the building with more efficient facilities. Superior anticipates continued capital expenditures in connection with the launch and service of outsourcing relationships. The company expects to meet the capital and cash requirements through the associated outsourcing revenue streams, operating cash flow, and financing sources. In April, the company negotiated a larger, more favorable line of credit with Fifth Third Bank. In addition, the company negotiated other credit lines for equipment and software financing. Helppie concluded, "We remain on a steady course to gain efficiency in our operations, to further develop a compelling transformational outsourcing solution and complementary consulting services, and to build a solid recurring revenue stream. Our success to date is evident in our position as the quality and value leader of healthcare outsourcing and consulting solutions and our strengthening financial performance and profitability. Superior's extraordinary work force is the key to our past success and our future. Our Superior colleagues look forward to continuing opportunities for growth in 2004 and beyond, as well as additional ways to serve our clients and create value for all of our stakeholders." Conference Call Broadcast: Superior Consultant's senior executives will discuss the first quarter 2004 results during an investor teleconference scheduled for 11:00 a.m. eastern time on Friday, April 30, 2004. To listen to the broadcast, participants may log onto http://www.superiorconsultant.com/ and go to the "Investors" section of the Web site. We suggest you log onto the Web site 10 minutes prior to the conference call to download and install any necessary software. Conference Call Replay: An online replay will be available after 2:30 p.m. eastern time on Friday, April 30, 2004, under the "Investors" section of http://www.superiorconsultant.com/ . Statements included in this press release which are not historical in nature, are intended to be, and are hereby identified as "forward-looking statements" for purposes of the safe harbor provided by Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by Public Law 104-67. Forward- looking statements may be identified by words including, but not limited to: "anticipate," "believe," "intends," "estimates," "promises," "expect," "should," "conditioned upon" and similar expressions. This release contains forward-looking statements relating to future financial results or business expectations. Business plans may change as circumstances warrant. Actual results may differ materially as a result of factors and events which the company is unable to accurately predict or over which the company has no control. Such factors include, but are not limited to: the award or loss of significant client assignments, timing of contracts, recruiting and new business solicitation efforts, the healthcare market's acceptance of and demand for the company's offerings, demands upon and consumption of the company's cash and cash equivalent resources or changes in the company's access to working capital, regulatory changes and other factors affecting the financial constraints on the company's clients, competitive pressures (both domestic and foreign), the ability to successfully manage currency risk, obtain foreign work permits and otherwise successfully execute and manage international contracts, economic factors specific to healthcare, general economic conditions, unforeseen disruptions in transportation, communications or other infrastructure components, acquisitions under consideration and the ability to integrate acquisitions on a timely basis. Additional information regarding these risk factors and others, and additional information concerning the company are included in the company's reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. About Superior Consultant Holdings Corporation Recipient of Frost & Sullivan's 2003 Best Bang for the Buck Award for providing services and solutions with the highest ratio of value to cost, Superior Consultant is a leading national provider of transformational outsourcing, management and information technology consulting services and solutions to the healthcare industry. Superior specializes in Digital Business Transformation(TM) services that enable clients to thrive in the information-driven economy, and its transformational outsourcing, management and information technology consulting services and solutions help clients plan and execute better business strategies and meet their fiscal challenges while advancing clinical quality. Superior's best practices outsourcing model includes a full range of flexible business process and information technology solutions, including data center services, 24/7/365 network monitoring and help desk services, facility management, interim management, and application outsourcing services. For 20 years, Superior has been recognized as an innovative leader within the healthcare industry and has been rewarded with full and partial outsourcing contracts, thousands of engagements, approximately 150 interim management assignments, and nearly 3,000 clients. For more information on Superior Consultant Holdings Corporation simply dial 1-800-PRO-INFO and enter the Company ticker: SUPC (a no-cost fax-on- demand service) or visit the Company's Web site at http://www.superiorconsultant.com/ . SUPERIOR CONSULTANT HOLDINGS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands) (Unaudited) March 31, December 31, ASSETS 2004 2003 Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $12,200 $12,688 Accounts receivable, net 13,341 12,592 Other current assets 3,736 4,000 Total current assets 29,277 29,280 Property and equipment, net 25,319 24,235 Other long-term assets 295 338 Total Assets $54,891 $53,853 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities Notes payable to bank $2,400 $1,900 Other current liabilities 17,093 16,300 Total current liabilities 19,493 18,200 Senior subordinated debentures, net 7,578 7,552 Long-term liabilities 4,640 5,185 Stockholders' equity 23,180 22,916 Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $54,891 $53,853 SUPERIOR CONSULTANT HOLDINGS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, December 31, March 31, 2004 2003 2003 Revenue Consulting Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue) $13,169 $13,326 $13,991 Out-of-pocket reimbursements (1) 1,459 1,688 1,773 Total consulting revenue 14,628 15,014 15,764 Outsourcing Revenue before reimbursements (net revenue) 11,453 11,249 7,900 Out-of-pocket reimbursements (1) 108 164 78 Total outsourcing revenue 11,561 11,413 7,978 Consolidated revenue 26,189 26,427 23,742 Cost of services Consulting Cost of services before reimbursements (net cost of services) 8,445 7,874 8,481 Out-of-pocket reimbursements (1) 1,459 1,688 1,773 Total consulting cost of services 9,904 9,562 10,254 Outsourcing Cost of services before reimbursements (net cost of services) 9,812 10,109 7,403 Out-of-pocket reimbursements (1) 108 164 78 Total outsourcing cost of services 9,920 10,273 7,481 Consolidated cost of services 19,824 19,835 17,735 Gross Profit Consulting 4,724 5,452 5,510 Outsourcing 1,641 1,140 497 Consolidated gross profit 6,365 6,592 6,007 Selling, general and administrative expenses 5,923 6,390 6,815 Restructuring recovery, net - (193) - Earnings (loss) from operations 442 395 (808) Other expense, net (256) (288) (79) Earnings (loss) before income tax benefit 186 107 (887) Income tax benefit - - - Net earnings (loss) $186 $107 $(887) Net earnings (loss) per share Basic $0.02 $0.01 $(0.08) Diluted $0.02 $0.01 $(0.08) Weighted average number of common shares outstanding Basic 10,358 10,377 10,765 Diluted 11,686 11,361 10,765 SUPERIOR CONSULTANT HOLDINGS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (In thousands) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, December 31, March 31, 2004 2003 2003 GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliations: Consolidated revenue $26,189 $26,427 $23,742 Less: Out-of-pocket reimbursements (1) (1,567) (1,852) (1,851) Net Revenue $24,622 $24,575 $21,891 Operating expenses Consolidated cost of services $19,824 $19,835 $17,735 Selling, general and administrative expenses 5,923 6,390 6,815 Restructuring recovery, net - (193) - Operating expenses - GAAP 25,747 26,032 24,550 Less: recovery, net - 193 - Less: Out-of-pocket reimbursements (1) (1,567) (1,852) (1,851) Operating expenses, as adjusted $24,180 $24,373 $22,699 Net earnings (loss) $186 $107 $(887) Depreciation and amortization 1,356 1,358 1,081 Interest expense, net 256 340 79 Income tax benefit - - - EBITDA $1,798 $1,805 $273 Capital expenditures, net of financing $2,606 $2,462 $1,683 Gross profit % - Consulting (1) 35.9% 40.9% 39.4% Gross profit % - Outsourcing (1) 14.3% 10.1% 6.3% Gross profit % - Consolidated (1) 25.9% 26.8% 27.4% SGA % 24.1% 26.0% 31.1% Headcount 592 609 574 (1) In November 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Staff Announcement Topic No. D-103, "Income Statement Characterization of Reimbursements Received for Out-of-Pocket Expenses Incurred," which states that reimbursements received for out-of-pocket expenses should be characterized as revenue in the income statement. The application of Staff Announcement Topic No. D-103 does not have an impact on current or previously reported net earnings (loss) or earnings (loss) per share. We will continue to use net revenue (revenue before out-of-pocket reimbursements) and net cost of services (cost of services before out-of-pocket reimbursements) to compute percentage and margin calculations, as well as for purposes of comparing the results of operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, to the quarters ended December 31, 2003, and March 31, 2003. DATASOURCE: Superior Consultant Holdings Corporation CONTACT: Richard D. Helppie - Chief Executive Officer, Richard R. Sorensen - Chief Financial Officer, or Susan M. Synor - Executive Vice President, of Superior Consultant Holdings Corporation, +1-248-386-8300 Web site: http://www.superiorconsultant.com/

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