• Total debt reduced by $10.4 million and managed working capital declined by $19.2 million from Q3 2020
• Q4 2020 Sales total $31.3 million; Premium alloy sales represent 19.1% of total Q4 sales
• Q4 2020 Net Loss of $7.3 million, or $0.83 per diluted share; Net loss is $4.6 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, excluding $3.8 million (pre-tax) of fixed cost absorption charges, a $0.3 million (pre-tax) loss on the sale of excess scrap and $0.7 million (pre-tax) gain on insurance proceeds
• EBITDA is a loss of $3.9 million in Q4 2020; Adjusted EBITDA is a loss of $0.2 million 
• Quarter-end Backlog of $48.0 million versus $54.8 million at end of Q3 2020

BRIDGEVILLE, Pa., Jan. 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc. (Nasdaq: USAP) today reported net sales for the fourth quarter of 2020 of $31.3 million, a decrease of 16.3% from $37.4 million in the third quarter of 2020, and 43.2% lower than $55.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Sales of premium alloys in the fourth quarter of 2020 were $6.0 million, or 19.1% of sales, compared with $9.2 million, or 24.5% of sales, in the third quarter of 2020, and $7.4 million, or 13.4% of sales, in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Chairman, President and CEO Dennis Oates commented: “The fourth quarter was a challenging quarter as expected, and we continued to operate at low activity levels, which negatively impacted profitability. Our focus on liquidity continued, with positive results, as we achieved our cash targets and reduced debt by more than $10 million. While our revenues were down from the third quarter, our bookings activity improved.

“Despite the challenging environment, we continue to see positive results within areas of our control, including increased efficiency of our operations as well as our quality programs. These favorable activities will allow for increased facility capacity and provide benefit as volumes increase. Most importantly, our safety performance, as measured by our OSHA recordable rate, marked a record low in 2020.

“The pandemic continued to limit air travel worldwide and airlines reduced new plane orders, ultimately depressing aerospace product demand. We did see a bright spot with the return to service of the Boeing 737-MAX, which should begin to benefit new aircraft production into 2022 and 2023. Within the oil and gas markets, customers remain reluctant to place orders even with the rise in oil prices and rig counts.

“Demand in the Heavy Equipment market was strong in the fourth quarter, especially for our products used in auto production and metals fabrication. Plate bookings have also remained strong. Growth in our General Industrial end market was especially strong in the quarter, led by semiconductor demand. In fact, sales to that end market for the quarter were at a near record level, and that strength is expected to continue in the coming months.

“We saw positive signs in our order entry in the fourth quarter, which has increased each quarter from its 2020 low point in the second quarter. Cancellations further slowed and were at their lowest level in 2020. Fourth quarter premium alloy bookings also improved and were at the highest levels since the 2020 first quarter, with ongoing demand for defense and specialty applications.

“Fourth quarter margins continued to be negatively impacted by lower activity levels and included fixed cost absorption direct charges. Margins were also negatively impacted by a $0.3 million loss on the sale of excess scrap, although that generated cash receipts of $0.7 million. Product mix was less favorable in the quarter due to lower shipments of premium alloys.

“Our continued focus on working capital reduction in the fourth quarter resulted in continued reductions in inventory and debt levels. Both inventory and debt further declined from the third quarter, with inventory reduced by $9.6 million, and debt reduced by $10.4 million. For the full year, inventory has been reduced by $36.0 million and total debt is down $24.2 million, excluding PPP funds. We also tightly controlled our fourth quarter capital spend, limiting expenditures to $0.7 million.

“Looking forward in 2021, we continue to expect measured improvement in activity levels as we move through the year, starting slowly in the first quarter. We will be focused on our strategic growth initiatives, which include strategic capital investment in our premium alloy production assets, including adding a vacuum arc remelt furnace and an 18-ton crucible to expand our capabilities and reduce costs.”

Mr. Oates concluded: “Once again I want to commend our team for their efforts and the results they achieved during a prolonged period of difficult challenges. With the support of our customers and our commitment to producing the critical products required by our markets, we are fully focused on making tangible progress in 2021.”

COVID-19 Response Summary

• Each of the Company’s facilities is an essential operation and continues to remain operational in accordance with the laws of the states in which the facilities are located.
• The Company continues to monitor the pandemic’s impact on the markets the Company serves, including the aerospace and oil & gas markets. The Company’s sales to the aerospace market have declined due to the reduction in air travel caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a sharp decline in aftermarket sales due to the significant reduction in air travel. The Company also has experienced extreme pressure in demand from the oil & gas market.
• On April 15, 2020, the Company entered into a $10.0 million term note pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. The Company applied for full forgiveness of the PPP term note in the 2020 third quarter, and the PPP loan forgiveness process is currently underway.
• While the Company expects the effects of the pandemic and the related responses to continue to negatively impact its results of operations, cash flows and financial position, the uncertainty over the duration and severity of the economic and operational impacts of COVID-19 means the Company cannot reasonably estimate the related future impacts at this time.
• The Company continues to adapt its operations due to lower activity levels. As a result, the Company’s measures to align its cost structure with current forecasted revenue and operating levels are ongoing.
  

Quarterly and Full Year Results of Operations

For full year 2020, net sales totaled $179.7 million, compared with $243.0 million in full year 2019. Premium alloy sales in 2020 were $35.2 million, or 19.6% of sales, compared with $37.6 million, or 15.5% of sales, in 2019.

The Company's gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2020 was a loss of $5.1 million, or (16.2%) of sales, compared with a loss of $4.4 million, or (11.8%) of sales, in the third quarter of 2020, and a gross margin of $5.9 million, or 10.6% of sales, in the fourth quarter of 2019. Fourth quarter gross margin included $3.8 million of fixed cost absorption charges incurred due to reduced production levels, and $0.3 million loss on excess scrap sales. Excluding these charges, fourth quarter 2020 gross margin was a loss of $1.0 million, or (3.1%) of sales.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $4.2 million, or 13.4% of sales, in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared with $4.2 million, or 11.1% of sales, in the third quarter of 2020, and $5.3 million, or 9.5% of sales, in the fourth quarter of 2019.

The net loss for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $7.3 million, or $0.83 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $7.0 million, or $0.79 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2020, and net income of $0.2 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2019. The fourth quarter 2020 net loss, excluding $3.8 million (pre-tax) of fixed cost absorption charges, a $0.3 million (pre-tax) excess scrap sale loss, and gains of $0.7 million (pre-tax) from insurance proceeds, totaled $4.6 million, or $0.52 per diluted share.

For full year 2020, the net loss was $19.0 million, or $2.16 per diluted share, compared with net income of $4.3 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, for 2019. Full year 2020 net loss, excluding $8.3 million (pre-tax) of fixed cost absorption charges, $0.7 million (pre-tax) of losses on excess scrap sales, $0.6 million (pre-tax) of employee severance costs and $1.0 million (pre-tax) of gains on insurance proceeds, totaled $12.4 million, or $1.40 per diluted share.

The Company’s EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2020 was a loss of $3.9 million, compared with a loss of $3.6 million in the third quarter of 2020, and positive EBITDA of $5.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. Fourth quarter 2020 adjusted EBITDA, excluding the fixed cost absorption charges, excess scrap sale losses, and insurance gain, was a loss of $0.2 million.

Managed working capital was $114.1 million at December 31, 2020, compared with $133.3 million at September 30, 2020, and $141.3 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2019. The 14.4% sequential decrease in managed working capital compared to the 2020 third quarter was due mainly to reduced inventory and accounts receivable levels. Inventory totaled $111.4 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2020, a decrease of $9.6 million, or 7.9%, from $120.9 million at the end of the third quarter of 2020. Inventories have been reduced by $36.0 million, or 24.4%, since year-end 2019.

Backlog (before surcharges) at December 31, 2020 was $48.0 million, compared with $54.8 million at September 30, 2020, and $119.1 million at the end of the 2019 fourth quarter.

The Company’s total debt at December 31, 2020 was $50.2 million, a decrease of $10.4 million, or 17.1%, from September 30, 2020, and a decrease of $14.2 million, or 22.0%, from the end of 2019. Total debt at December 31, 2020 includes a $10.0 million term note, issued on April 15, 2020, pursuant to PPP. The Company has applied for full PPP loan forgiveness, and the forgiveness process is currently underway.

Capital expenditures for the fourth quarter of 2020 totaled $0.7 million, compared with $1.3 million for the third quarter of 2020, and $4.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. Full year 2020 capital expenditures totaled $9.2 million. The Company expects capital expenditures in 2021 to approximate $11.0 million to support its strategic growth initiatives.

Conference Call and Webcast

The Company has scheduled a conference call for today, January 27^th, at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern) to discuss fourth quarter 2020 results. Those wishing to listen to the live conference call via telephone should dial 706-679-0668, passcode 9091458. A simultaneous webcast will be available on the Company’s website at www.univstainless.com, and thereafter archived on the website through the end of the first quarter of 2021.

About Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc.

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc., established in 1994 and headquartered in Bridgeville, PA, manufactures and markets semi-finished and finished specialty steels, including stainless steel, nickel alloys, tool steel and certain other alloyed steels. The Company's products are used in a variety of industries, including aerospace, power generation, oil and gas, and heavy equipment manufacturing. More information is available at www.univstainless.com.

Forward-Looking Information Safe Harbor

Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this release are forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company’s actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. Those risks include, among others, the Company’s ability to maintain its relationships with its significant customers and market segments; the Company’s response to competitive factors in its industry that may adversely affect the market for finished products manufactured by the Company or its customers; uncertainty regarding the progress of the return to service of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft; the Company’s ability to compete successfully with domestic and foreign producers of specialty steel products and products fashioned from alternative materials; changes in overall demand for the Company’s products and the prices at which the Company is able to sell its products in the aerospace industry, from which a substantial amount of our sales is derived; the Company’s ability to develop, commercialize, market and sell new applications and new products; the receipt, pricing and timing of future customer orders; the impact of changes in the Company’s product mix on the Company’s profitability; the Company’s ability to maintain the availability of raw materials and operating supplies with acceptable pricing; the availability and pricing of electricity, natural gas and other sources of energy that the Company needs for the manufacturing of its products; risks related to property, plant and equipment, including the Company’s reliance on the continuing operation of critical manufacturing equipment; the Company’s success in timely concluding collective bargaining agreements and avoiding strikes or work stoppages; the Company’s ability to attract and retain key personnel; the Company’s ongoing requirement for continued compliance with laws and regulations, including applicable safety and environmental regulations; the ultimate outcome of the Company’s current and future litigation matters; the Company’s ability to meet its debt service requirements and to comply with applicable financial covenants; the ultimate outcome of the Company’s PPP loan forgiveness application; risks associated with conducting business with suppliers and customers in foreign countries; public health issues, including COVID-19 and its uncertain impact on our facilities and operations and our customers and suppliers and the effectiveness of the Company’s actions taken in response to these risks; risks related to acquisitions that the Company may make; the Company’s ability to protect its information technology infrastructure against service interruptions, data corruption, cyber-based attacks or network security breaches; the impact on the Company’s effective tax rates from changes in tax rules, regulations and interpretations in the United States and other countries where it does business; and the impact of various economic, credit and market risk uncertainties. Many of these factors are not within the Company’s control and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company’s actual results in future periods to be materially different from any future performance suggested herein. Any unfavorable change in the foregoing or other factors could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, the Company operates in an industry sector where securities values may be volatile and may be influenced by economic and other factors beyond the Company’s control. Certain of these risks and other risks are described in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and the subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2020, June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2020, copies of which are available from the SEC or may be obtained upon request from the Company.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release includes discussions of financial measures that have not been determined in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). These measures include earnings (loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and Adjusted EBITDA. We include these measurements to enhance the understanding of our operating performance. We believe that EBITDA, considered along with net earnings (loss), is a relevant indicator of trends relating to cash generating activity of our operations. Adjusted EBITDA excludes the effect of share-based compensation expense and noted special items such as impairments and costs or income related to special events such as periods of low activity or insurance claims. We believe that excluding these costs provides a consistent comparison of the cash generating activity of our operations. We believe that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful to investors as they facilitate a comparison of our operating performance to other companies who also use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as supplemental operating measures. These non-GAAP financial measures supplement our GAAP disclosures and should not be considered an alternative to the GAAP measures. These non-GAAP measures may not be entirely comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies due to potential differences among calculation methodologies. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable financial measure prepared in accordance with GAAP is included in the tables that follow.

[TABLES FOLLOW]

UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Information)
(Unaudited)

Source: Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc.