Lithia Motors Q3 2024 Earnings Call Transcript

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November 11, 2024

There are 5 speakers on the call.

Operator

Good day, everyone, and welcome to today's Bridger Aerospace Third Quarter 2024 Conference Call. At this time, all participants are in a listen only mode. Later, you will have the opportunity to ask questions during the question and answer session. Please note today's call will be recorded. And I will be standing by should you need any assistance.

Operator

It is now my pleasure to turn the conference over to CFO of Bridger Aerospace, Eric Jarratt. Please go ahead.

Speaker 1

Good afternoon, and thank you for joining us today. Joining me on the call this afternoon is Chief Executive Officer, Sam Davis and Senior Vice President of Finance and Capital Markets, John Saunders. Before we begin, please note that certain statements contained in this conference call that do not describe historical facts are forward looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Since forward looking statements are based on various assumptions, risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Factors that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed include, but are not limited to those discussed in the company's filings with the U.

Speaker 1

S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including expectations regarding financial results for 2024. Management cannot control or predict many factors that ultimately impact future results. Listeners should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements, which reflect management's views only as of today. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our assessments to change.

Speaker 1

However, we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward looking statement or to make any other forward looking statement. Throughout this afternoon's earnings release and our call today, we refer to the non GAAP financial measure adjusted EBITDA. The definition calculation and a reconciliation to the financial statements of adjusted EBITDA can be found in Exhibit A of our earnings release, which is available on our website. We believe adjusted EBITDA is useful in evaluating our reported results as a supplement to and not a substitute for results reported under GAAP. With that, I'd like to turn the call over to Sam.

Speaker 2

Thank you, Eric. Before I begin, I just want to recognize all of our veterans today on Veterans Day. We thank you all for your service, including those veterans at Bridger who play a critical role in our operations. We are extremely proud to announce our Q3 results, which include the height of the 2024 wildfire season, with revenue reaching nearly $65,000,000 net income of $27,300,000 and adjusted EBITDA of $47,000,000 Our dedicated operations team facilitated high levels of deployment of our entire fleet throughout the year, ensuring our fleet was ready as early as February and through our current deployment in Texas for the latest and longest wildfire season in Bridger's history. 2024 is representative of the trend of longer and more intense wildfire seasons and the financial results Bridger can generate with its current fleet of 6 scoopers and 6 air attack aircraft.

Speaker 2

Overall, we consider 2024 a more typical wildfire season, particularly when compared to last year. While we saw a late start to the peak of the season, the U. S. Spent a total of 59 days at preparedness level 5, which we refer to as PL5, including 10 days in October. As a reminder, PL5 is the National Interagency Fire Center's highest level and it signifies that major fire incidents are occurring across multiple geographic areas with the potential to exhaust all agency fire resources.

Speaker 2

In comparison, last year there were 0 days of PL-five and only 21 days of PL-four. The last time we saw PL5 was actually in 2021 with 68 days of PL5 and an additional 31 at PL4. Through November 1, 2024, over 8,000,000 acres have burned national. This compares to just 2,700,000 acres burned last year. For comparison, the 5 year average is 7,700,000 total acres burned.

Speaker 2

While 2024 was an above average year in duration and even the East Coast has seen unprecedented wildfire activity this fall, a combination of factors can impact whether Bridger gets called. Overall, we believe the days of work and flight hours were only slightly above average for Bridger. As state scrambled this summer to secure aerial firefighting resources against the backdrop of government agency contracting lags and budgeting delays, we strategically secured exclusive use minimum day task orders for 4 of our 6 Air Attack aircraft, 2 multi mission aircraft and 4 of our 6 Super Scoopers, driving increased utilization. We continue to focus on maximizing the number of these exclusive use commitments, ensuring our fleet remains dedicated to critical wildfire response efforts with a goal of maximizing price and flight hours. We're also focusing on securing multiyear contracts, which will serve to guarantee overall revenue and smooth out seasonality associated with peak wildfire season days and hours.

Speaker 2

Much of this groundwork happens in the winter months as government budgeting and planning cycles are underway. As the 2024 wildfire season winds down, the task orders for our 2 Pilatus PC-twelve Multi Mission Aircraft or MMA guaranteed for 150 days a piece were extended to greater than 190 days a piece. We also added some non fire related missions throughout the year for additional work. We currently have Station 2 Scoopers in Texas on standby, positioned for activity under continued high threat of fire activity, a testament to the growing demand during the late season. While some of this revenue is less profitable than in season revenue, it serves to boost asset utilization in the shoulder season.

Speaker 2

Turning to FMS. As a reminder, we closed the acquisition on June 28. So this was FMS' Q1 as a part of Bridger and it contributed approximately $1,600,000 to revenue. Adding FMS' strong engineering modification and manufacturing capabilities to Bridger has already created exciting growth opportunities in mission critical areas such as aerospace modifications and defense systems engineering. And we hope these opportunities will enable us to diversify our customer base and add more year round revenue to help offset the seasonal nature of our aerial firefighting business.

Speaker 2

FMS also continues to build a pipeline to support Bridger Aircraft for modifications to solidify our competitive advantage and to incorporate leading edge sensor technologies as well as separate projects in Bridger Aircraft to enhance performance, reliability and safety. A quick update on Ignis Technologies. Our software subsidiary launched its mobile platform this year to support firefighters in the field. Several counties, crews and incident management teams are currently piloting the app. As we move forward, many of these organizations are expected to transition to a subscription based model for the 2025 wildfire season with flexible pricing based on organization size and features.

Speaker 2

A major focus of ongoing development is linking Bridger's real time sensor imagery with the Ignis app, creating a seamless data flow from air to ground. This capability promises to unlock new levels of situational awareness, supporting multi mission aviation contracts and enhancing both operational effectiveness and safety. We remain on track with plans to expand into Europe through our partnership with Marathon Asset Management LP and Avenue Sustainable Solutions Fund, which completed the purchase of 4 Super Scoopers from the Spanish government last fall. We are pleased with the progress of the return to service process managed by our Spanish subsidiary, Albacete Aero, and we remain on schedule for all 4 Scoopers to be available during the 2025 wildfire season. We recognized approximately $2,200,000 of revenue related to this return to service work in the quarter with the majority of that also hitting our cost line as well.

Speaker 2

We are in the process of sourcing operating contracts for all 4 of these aircraft while their services remain in high demand. At that point, we will determine how best to bring these high margin assets into the business. As we look ahead to the Q4, we see continued use of Bridger aircraft as the intensity of the wildfire season extended into October nationally and into November in certain parts of the country. Year to date, we have dropped just shy of 9,000,000 gallons of water. As a result, we expect a record year, including the generation of positive free cash flow after maintenance capital expenditures and debt service.

Speaker 2

Let me now turn it back to Eric, who will talk about our financial performance in the quarter.

Speaker 1

Thanks, Sam. Looking at results for the Q3 of 2024, revenue increased approximately 20 percent to $64,500,000 from $53,600,000 in the Q3 of 2023. Revenue in the Q3 of 2024 benefited from higher flight revenue as well as approximately $2,200,000 related to return to service work performed on the Spanish Super Scoopers by our Spanish subsidiary, Alba Sete Aero, as part of our partnership agreement with Mab Funding LLC, as well as approximately $1,600,000 of revenue from the company's June acquisition of FMS. Cost of revenues was $23,000,000 in the Q3 of 2024, up from 20 4, up from $16,000,000 in the Q3 of last year. Cost of revenues for the Q3 of 2024 was comprised of flight operation expenses of $15,100,000 and maintenance expenses of $7,900,000 This compares to $10,200,000 of flight operation expenses and $5,700,000 of maintenance expenses in the Q3 of 2023.

Speaker 1

The increase in cost of revenues is primarily due to increased flight hours in the Q3 this year compared to the Q3 of 2023, resulting in increased depreciation, maintenance and travel expenses tied to higher utilization in the field. Also reflected were the expenses associated with the return to service work for the Spanish scoopers, which is largely pass through as well as the addition of FMS and some inflationary pressure. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $8,600,000 in the Q3 of 2024 compared to $15,100,000 in the Q3 of 2023. The increase was primarily due to a decline in the fair value of outstanding warrants as of the end of the Q3 of 2024 compared to the Q3 of 2023. The decrease was also partially attributable to lower non cash stock based compensation expense in the Q3 of 2024 compared to the Q3 last year.

Speaker 1

Interest expense for the Q3 of 2024 was $6,000,000 compared to $6,000,000 in the Q3 of 2023. Bridger also reported other income of $500,000 in the Q3 this year compared to $600,000 in the Q3 last year. For the Q3 of 2024, we reported net income of $27,300,000 or $0.31 per diluted share compared to net income of $17,500,000 or $0.22 per diluted share in the Q3 of 2023. The increase in net income was primarily driven by strong fleet utilization in the Q3 of 2024. Adjusted EBITDA was $47,000,000 compared to $38,700,000 in the Q3 of 2023.

Speaker 1

A reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net loss or income is included in Exhibit A of our earnings release distributed earlier today. Due to our seasonality, the company typically generates a net loss and negative EBITDA in the 1st and 4th quarters each year with the majority of our adjusted EBITDA generated primarily in the 3rd quarter coinciding with the U. S. Wildfire seasons. Looking at our results for the 1st 9 months of 2024, revenue was $83,000,000 compared to $65,600,000 in the 1st 9 months of 2023.

Speaker 1

Cost of revenues was $42,100,000 comprised of flight operation expenses of $25,200,000 and maintenance expenses of $16,800,000 Cost of revenues for the 1st 9 months of 2023 was $33,700,000 comprised of $20,300,000 of flight operation expenses and maintenance expenses of $13,500,000 SG and A expenses declined to $28,200,000 in the first 9 months of 2024 compared to $63,500,000 for the 1st 9 months of 2023, which included non cash stock based compensation expense of $39,700,000 for RSUs compared to only $13,700,000 in the 1st 9 months of 2024. The decrease was also partially attributable to a decrease in the fair value of outstanding warrants. Interest expense for the 1st 9 months of 2024 was $17,800,000 compared to $17,200,000 in the 1st 9 months of 2023. Bridger also reported other income of $1,800,000 for the 1st 9 months of 2024 compared to $2,300,000 for the 1st 9 months of last year. Net loss was $2,700,000 in the 1st 9 months of 2024 compared to a net loss of $46,200,000 in the 1st 9 months of 2023.

Speaker 1

Adjusted EBITDA was $40,200,000 for the 1st 9 months of this year compared to $29,000,000 in the same period last year. Turning to the balance sheet, we ended the Q3 with total cash and restricted cash of $42,600,000 Outstanding trade and unbilled receivables of over $26,000,000 as of September 30, 2024 are expected to further increase the cash balance in the coming months. With that, I'd like to turn the call over now to John to discuss our 2024 guidance.

Speaker 3

Thank you, Eric. As the bulk of the wildfire season has come to an end, Bridger is in a position to refine its guidance. Supported by record results in the Q3 and continued dry weather in the Western U. S. That has led to multiple aircraft operating into October and even November,

Speaker 4

we

Speaker 3

are increasing our 2024 revenue guidance. We now expect revenue to be in a range of $90,000,000 to $95,000,000 This is an increase of between 35% our reported 2023 revenue and an increase from our initial guidance of $70,000,000 to $86,000,000 It is also important to note that approximately $6,000,000 to $7,000,000 of anticipated 2024 revenue relates to pass through return to service work performed on our 4 Spanish Super Scoopers by our Spanish subsidiary, Albacete Aero, as well as the June 2024 acquisition of FMS Aerospace, neither of which was included in the initial guidance range. Given the company's largely fixed cost structure and seasonality of its revenue, Bridger typically generates the majority of adjusted EBITDA in the Q3 each year during the bulk of the wildfire season. As a result, 2024 adjusted EBITDA is expected to grow by over 85 percent to a range of $35,000,000 to $40,000,000 This compares to the company's initial adjusted EBITDA guidance range of $35,000,000 to $51,000,000 first provided last November. We have not fully realized the anticipated benefits from targeted reductions to our cost structure that we estimated a year ago.

Speaker 3

This includes the exit of certain subscription maintenance programs and leasing costs for aviation assets that we kept in place to support the high level of fire activity. We also experienced some inflationary pressures. Collectively, these factors are expected to prevent us from reaching the high end of our initial guidance range for 2024 adjusted EBITDA. In addition, we also pivoted from some EBITDA boosting opportunities to focus on growth of our non fire revenue to help smooth seasonality, which are expected to benefit 2025 operations. Based on this latest guidance, we expect to report positive free cash flow for the first time in Bridger's history in a range of $5,000,000 to $10,000,000 Free cash flow is defined as adjusted EBITDA, less debt service and less maintenance capital expenditures.

Speaker 3

Bridger intends to put a portion of this capital to work on low cost, high benefit aviation investments to find new and expanded revenue opportunities. This includes aircraft modifications for additional customer opportunities, sensor enhancements and download capabilities that will provide increased utilization, opportunity for new contracts and multi year work and increased customer satisfaction and brand awareness. With that, I would like to turn the call back to Sam for final comments.

Speaker 2

Thank you, John. At the heart of Bridger Aerospace remains the unshakable focus on the mission to protect lives, property and habitat threatened by wildfires. This year, we flew in 16 states and provided support for 385 fires and gathered numerous success stories from suppression on major fires preventing the loss of structures to early detection preventing small lightning strikes from becoming large incidents. Bridger employees worked long days and nights in some of the harshest conditions to readily serve fellow Americans facing the rising threat of wildfires. Being able to see the results of our hard work to protect others from loss, while supporting firefighters on the front lines is at the core of Bridger's makeup.

Speaker 2

What makes the effort of the Bridger team even more commendable was the onslaught of politically motivated attacks we endured as a company as our former CEO ran for public office in a highly contested race. Regardless of political affiliation, Bridger employees, customers and partners were subject to a torrent of speculative foreboding designed to tarnish the company's reputation and sabotage its laudable efforts to deliver record results, while executing on a critical mission to save lives and property. Today, we confidently let the integrity of our results speak for themselves, and we will continue to protect our employees, customers and investors from those negative voices that attempt to defame or mischaracterize our efforts to carry out our mission of protecting lives, property and habitat. Ultimately, the leadership team at Bridger and strength of its Board has guided it through a crucial period in Bridger's lifecycle, where it has finally stepped into its stride by exceeding expectations and we continue to be ready and able to answer the call to fight wildfires around the country. Now that the election is decided and our Founder and former CEO, Tim Sheehy, has been elected to the U.

Speaker 2

S. Senate, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board has officially commenced a comprehensive CEO search process and will consider both internal and external candidates. Rear Admiral Wyman Howard will chair the search committee. While there is no specified timeline for completion, the search is expected to be completed in 2025. I'm fully committed to being a part of the process and I'm confident that the Board's ultimate decision will be in the best interest of Bridger shareholders.

Speaker 2

Additionally, to avoid any further allegations of potential conflicts of interest, Tim's brother, Matt Sheehy has resigned from the Board and we thank him for his tireless service to our company over the past 10 years as well as his steadfast support of us with his continued substantial investments in the company. Bridger is a critical piece of the nation's aerial firefighting responding network and is proud to have aircraft deployed in support of firefighting in 10 out of the 12 months in 2024. I am honored to lead such an incredibly talented team and I look forward to continuing to pursue and execute our business plans in the future. With that, I would like to open up the call for questions.

Operator

And we'll take a question from Austin Miller with Canaccord. Your line is open.

Speaker 4

Hi, good afternoon. Congrats on the quarter, everyone.

Speaker 2

Thank you, Austin.

Speaker 4

Just my first question here. Can you go into a little bit more detail about the inflation in the quarter that trimmed the EBITDA guidance? And was that in like aftermarket maintenance or pilot compensation, fuel costs? How should we think about that?

Speaker 2

Yes. Thanks for the question. I'll turn this one over to Eric, if you wouldn't mind speaking to some of the inflationary pressures.

Speaker 1

Yes. Sure, Austin. So yes, you mentioned a few. So we definitely saw some inflationary pressure in like most companies in the area of salaries, wages, benefits, kind of on that piece of the puzzle as well as we especially during fire season incur a lot of costs in terms of travel with our crews and mechanics going all over the country to support our efforts. And so travel costs, definitely some inflationary pressures there.

Speaker 1

In terms of maintenance, in addition to the labor and benefits side of things and travel, we also saw some pressures in terms of some of our small parts and replacement parts that we use. We're looking at opportunities and have done some things to try to make our inventory as efficient as possible to try to reduce those impacts and kind of manage those costs. On the travel side, we also have looked at and have done some things in some areas where we leverage some crew housing, some things like that. So we're not always in hotels and things of that nature. So we've done a decent job of managing it, but there's definitely been those pressures there.

Speaker 4

That's helpful. How do you view the new administration's impact on federal firefighting funds? Presumably, the committees that oversee the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service are bipartisan on this issue.

Speaker 2

Yes, I'll take that one. Yes, so you're right and we speak to this all the time. Wildfires are a very bipartisan issue because they affect everybody and it's a national threat and a rising one year over year. Bridger has done what we will will do what we've always done, which is continue to work with the administration and be on the forefront of talking with these different committees as we effect a lot on the legislative slide, to increase some of our strategy in terms of getting more exclusive use contracts and guaranteed days because that is at the core of what everybody is trying to do to solve this threat. Even right now as we speak, there's fires on the East Coast outside of New York and in New Jersey.

Speaker 2

So, this is becoming a rising problem. There will maybe be some potential changes to the committees that we deal with, but Bridger continues to do work, especially in the off season, meeting with those folks and being on the forefront of championing solutions that we have.

Speaker 4

Great. And just one more, if I may. Should we expect to see a reduction in cost structure, operating costs and improved revenue volumes in the off season now that you've required FMS and you might be getting some other government services work?

Speaker 2

Yes, I'll turn this one over to John who's been working on this, especially as we look at guidance for the end of the year and beyond.

Speaker 3

Yes, Austin, that's a great question. Absolutely, we expect to see OpEx down with lower flight levels throughout the winter. I would also comment that the cost rationalization that the company put in place in 2023 going into 2024, we're seeing the effect and impact of that cost rationalization really starting to go into the P and L in the back half of 'twenty four and into 2025. So we have some cost rationalization over personnel and Eric mentioned travel policy, vendors, professional services. We have some things that we believe we will significantly reduce OpEx throughout the winter.

Speaker 3

On the revenue side, absolutely, FMS has been winning contracts and continues to deliver on engineering service contracts throughout Q4, Q1, helping to reduce seasonality. Also, the company has been successful with fire and non fire work with its aviation assets this year. So we expect significant revenue from the core business in Q4 this year. So a very significant change with revenue levels in the outside of fire season quarters Q4 and Q1.

Speaker 4

Excellent. That's very exciting. Thanks for all the details.

Speaker 3

Thank you, Austin.

Operator

And it does appear that there are no further questions at this time. I'd now like to turn it back to Sam Davis for any additional or closing remarks.

Speaker 2

Thanks again for joining our conference call today. We look forward to updating you on our progress when we report our final annual results in March. And if anyone has any follow-up questions, please reach out to our Investor Relations directly.

Operator

Thank you. This does conclude today's program. Thank you for your participation. You may disconnect at any time and have a wonderful evening.

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Lithia Motors Q3 2024
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