The Shyft Group Q1 2024 Earnings Call Transcript

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April 25, 2024

There are 7 speakers on the call.

Operator

Good morning, and welcome to the Shift Group's First Quarter 2024 Conference Call and Webcast. All participants will be in a listen only mode until the question and answer session of the conference call. As a reminder, this call is being recorded. And I would now like to introduce Randy Wilson, Vice President of Investor Relations and Treasury for The Shift Group. Please go ahead.

Speaker 1

Good morning and thank you for joining us. Today, you will hear from John Dunn, President and Chief Executive Officer and John Dillard, Chief Financial Officer. Their prepared remarks will be followed by a question and answer session. Before we begin, please turn to Slide 2 of the presentation for our Safe Harbor statement. Today's conference call contains forward looking statements, which are subject to risks that could cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied.

Speaker 1

Primary risks that management believes could materially affect our results are identified in our Forms 10 ks and 10 Q filed with the SEC. We will be discussing non GAAP information and performance measures, which we believe are useful in evaluating the company's operating performance. Reconciliations for these non GAAP measures could be found in the conference call materials. We will begin with a business overview from our CEO, John Dunn, followed by John Dillard's review of Q1 performance and our 2024 outlook. We will then open the line for Q and A.

Speaker 1

Please turn to Slide 3, and I'll turn it over to John Dunn, who will begin today's prepared remarks.

Speaker 2

Thank you, Randy, and good morning. I would like to welcome everyone to our earnings call and appreciate your interest in the Shift Group. Through the Q1, our team delivered results better than our outlook provided in February. Key financial highlights include our specialty vehicle team continued to perform well with another solid quarter that resulted in high teens margin. In addition, we saw early signs of commercial progress as the FVS team delivered the highest order level in nearly 2 years, resulting in their 1st sequential backlog increase since early 2022.

Speaker 2

While parcel order activity remained soft as CapEx decisions continued to be delayed by fleet operators, Our FES sales team responded by focusing on other locations and Q1 order performance was highlighted by solid activity with utilities and food and beverage customers. As we look at the parcel market, we're confident in our leadership position and remain closely aligned with our customers. Although we remain cautious about the timing of the parcel market recovery, we believe our business is well positioned to deliver for our customers as it returns. Overall, I want to emphasize that Shift team members are acting with urgency to drive improved results and return the company to historical profitability over time. Please turn to Slide 4, and I'll expand on the operational framework progress.

Speaker 2

Although we spoke only 2 months ago, we continue to chart a pathway to realize the full potential of our business. Back in February, I introduced an operating framework that serves as the foundation to drive sustainable financial growth and shareholder value. It includes a relentless focus on building high performing teams, delivering operational excellence and keeping our customers at the center of everything we do. The team is driving improved performance by focusing on operational rigor, financial growth and meeting the needs of our customers. We are equipping our business leaders with the appropriate tools and support for success.

Speaker 2

Senior management has conducted site visits to key facilities engaging with local teams to eliminate performance obstacles. Our one shift mindset is driving us to break down silos and increase coordination across the company. An example of this is in procurement, where we recently completed our 1st cross company initiative to leverage total business spend for a product category. Our actions led to consolidation of suppliers, allowing us to strengthen our relationships, while also positioning us to realize cost savings. Now turning to customer centricity.

Speaker 2

In March, our commercial and senior leadership teams met with key customers at the NTEA workshop. We saw excellent customer engagement and elevated interest in all our product offerings, which reinforce that our core businesses have leading positions in their respective end markets. It also highlighted our strong collaborative relationships with customers and industry partners, which positions us to effectively respond to their needs and provide innovative solutions. To emphasize recent examples, we announced the first order for a driver rapid cooling system with a key fleet customer, reflecting our ability to deliver customer focused innovation. Additionally, we were designated a Ford Pro upfitter, highlighting our operational capability and leadership in the upfit market, which will present expanded growth opportunities for Shift.

Speaker 2

In summary, we are increasing collaboration across the company as we act with a 1 shift mindset to accelerate decision making, relentlessly focus on our customers and increase the pace of operational and financial improvement. The Shift team continues to prioritize these efforts to drive long term performance. Now let's turn to Slide 5, and I will provide an update around the status of the BlueArc EV program. As discussed on our last call, we focused our team's efforts on bringing the Class III and IV BlueArc EV walk in van to market later this year. I'm pleased to say that BlueArc's progress remains in line with these expectations.

Speaker 2

There is ongoing customer interest in the vehicle and commercial conversations are progressing, evidenced by the high level of customer interest at NTEA. From a development standpoint, the BlueArc vehicle validation and testing continues and performance with the battery from our next energy is meeting expectations. The BlueArc team is preparing for production in late 2024 and we will continue to keep you informed of commercial and product developments. I will now turn it over to John for a detailed review of our financial results and 2024 outlet. Thanks, John.

Speaker 2

Please turn to Slide 7. Overall, we delivered financial results for the quarter that were above our prior expectations.

Speaker 3

With a backdrop of softer FVS demand, our team did a nice job focusing on improving performance, and we saw benefits from overall cost management, deferral of BlueArc spending and delivery of incremental sales volume that was initially planned for the 2nd quarter. Sales for the Q1 were $197,900,000 down 18.7 percent from $243,400,000 in the prior year quarter. Net loss was $4,700,000 or $0.14 per share compared to net income of $1,700,000 or $0.05 per share in the previous year. Please note that these results include a $1,850,000 charge for the expected settlement of the EPA vehicle labeling matter, which we initially disclosed in 2020. The settlement is not final, but we believe we are nearing resolution and do not expect the outcome to be materially different than the accrual taken in the quarter.

Speaker 3

In the Q1, adjusted EBITDA was $6,100,000 or 3.1 percent of sales, down from $10,800,000 or 4.4 percent of sales in the Q1 of 2023. These results include EV program spend of $5,500,000 down from $8,500,000 in the prior year as we focus our spending on bringing the Class 4 vehicle to market. Excluding these expenses, adjusted EBITDA was 5.9 percent of sales. Adjusted net loss for the quarter was $1,400,000 while adjusted EPS decreased to a loss of $0.04 per share. Please turn to Slide 8, and I'll provide an update on our segment performance.

Speaker 3

In the Q1, FBS achieved sales of $107,800,000 down 32.4 percent compared to $159,400,000 a year ago, reflecting ongoing softness in the parcel end markets as customers continue to delay capital expenditures. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $900,000 versus 12 $500,000 a year ago, with a decline in profitability driven by the impacts of lower sales volume as well as negative product mix. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 0.9 percent of sales compared to 7.8% in the Q1 last year. Quarter end backlog for FES was $356,100,000 up 10% versus the Q4 of 2023. Turning to SV, the business delivered another solid quarter with both top line growth and strong margin performance.

Speaker 3

Sales of $90,100,000 were up 3.4% compared to last year with growth in service bodies and motor home. Adjusted EBITDA was $17,000,000 or 18.8 percent of sales compared to $13,900,000 or 15.9 percent of sales in the same period last year. SV backlog of $83,300,000 is roughly flat versus the end of the year. Please turn to Slide 9 for a discussion on the full year. We are affirming our 2024 outlook with sales in the range of $850,000,000 to $900,000,000 and adjusted EBITDA of $40,000,000 to $50,000,000 While our team did deliver improved profit performance versus initial expectations to start the year, we remain cautious on near term parcel order activity.

Speaker 3

We are confident in the long term growth of the parcel market, but there continues to be uncertainty on the timing of market recovery. Given our visibility, we are focused on continuing the commercial momentum from the Q1 and driving efficiency across the organization. On cash flow, we remain on track to deliver our prior free cash flow guidance of $25,000,000 to $35,000,000 and expect improvement as the year progresses. In closing, we are pleased with our start to the year. Our team is focused on commercial and operational execution to deliver our full year outlook, while we also look to position the company for improved performance in 2025.

Speaker 3

With that, I will turn it back over to John Dunn.

Speaker 2

Thank you, John. Turning to Slide 10. I want to conclude today's prepared remarks by first extending my appreciation to the Shift team as we continue our improvement journey. At the start of the call, I highlighted our commitment to enhancing shareholder value and returning Shift to historic profitability by implementing our operational framework. The team is taking concrete steps to achieve this.

Speaker 2

Through operational excellence and a one shift mindset, all of which is focused on customer satisfaction and long term growth. The dedication of our team is clear, and we are making progress. Together, we are acting with urgency to drive the enhanced performance. Thank you again for your trust and engagement. I am confident in the direction of the company and look forward to sharing future updates with you.

Speaker 2

We are now ready to take your questions. Operator, please open the line.

Operator

Thank you very much. We will begin the question and answer session. At this time, we will start with a question from Matt Koranda from ROTH MKM. Matt, please go ahead.

Speaker 4

Hey, guys. Good morning.

Speaker 5

Good morning, Matt.

Speaker 4

I just wanted to start off with the backlog and FPS guys that the sequential increase is encouraging. And I guess the implied order flow looks relatively healthy relative to kind of what you've been experiencing for the last several quarters. I noticed you mentioned in at least the release that that doesn't sound like it's necessarily coming from parcel fleet customers. So just wanted to see if you could talk about where is the strength in order flow coming from for FBS? And then what's your expectation for fleet customers for the remainder of this year in terms of just the cadence of order flow?

Speaker 4

I guess we've noticed that parcel unit growth does look like it's being projected by some of the major fleets. So what does that mean for order flow from your parcel fleet customers for the rest of this year? If you could sort of expand upon that, that would be great.

Speaker 3

Yes, Matt. Thanks for the question. I think I mean, we're certainly pleased with the performance of the FBS commercial teams this quarter. I think we've talked in the past about how do we expand and diversify that customer base. We're seeing some of the fruits of that here in the quarter.

Speaker 3

And as John mentioned in his prepared remarks, we really saw strength from a utility perspective as well as in food and beverage in the quarter. So if you look at it, just maybe for some historical perspective, if you go back a couple of years, FES was 75 percent parcel, 25 percent other vocations. What we saw this quarter was an inverse of that from an orders perspective. And so while there was some parcel activity, certainly not to the levels that we saw historically. As we look at the timing of that, consistent with what we've said in prior discussions, our fleet customers continue to discuss about their need for additional vehicles in their fleets.

Speaker 3

And so we remain close to them, engaged, I guess, some of that may be in the Q3 as well.

Speaker 4

Okay. That's helpful. Thanks, John. And then just on the BlueArc program, curious if we could maybe shift to that and discuss, when do we expect I guess, well, 1, do we feel like the battery supplier issue is fully sorted at this point? What are the gating items to getting to production?

Speaker 4

It sounds like we're still targeting production at the end of 2024. So nothing's changed there. When should we expect to see order flow show up for you guys in the firm or in the form of purchase orders and firm order flow? Maybe you could just kind of help level

Speaker 2

very very important to recognize is the battery we're using from 1 Energy is meeting all the requirements. We're seeing good performance and we're not running into any issues through the development process as we continue to validate that. So that's a positive sign as we did shift from another battery supplier several months ago. So we're on track there. From an order standpoint, we're having good conversations with our customers.

Speaker 2

We're close to having some clarity on that order and when exactly those are going to start to come in. We already have announced that we have some relationships with some key dealers that are looking to pull vehicles. I think the next step here is to get end user locked in and that's really the focus of the team.

Speaker 4

Okay. And then maybe just gating items to production, John, maybe Don Deard, if you want to cover sort of capital that's put in place for this year to get to production in terms of setup and tooling and whatnot?

Speaker 3

Yes. I mean, I think we did, from an OpEx perspective, spent $5,500,000 in the quarter down year over year. We guided in our deck, you'll see $20,000,000 to $25,000,000 of spending from Blue Arc. And so we're we continue to be on that run rate. There will be some incremental capital, but a lot of it is behind us at this point.

Speaker 3

There is some additional tooling we're putting in the factory, but I wouldn't you're not going to see a huge sort of step up as we progress through the year from that perspective. And so I think as you look at the program overall, final development continues, on track to John's point. Production in setting up the lines has been in process and we'll continue to work and refine that over the next couple of months and we expect to be in production later this year.

Speaker 4

Okay. Very helpful, guys. I'll take care of mine offline. Appreciate it. Thanks, Matt.

Speaker 4

Thanks, Matt.

Operator

Our next question comes from Tyler DiMatteo from BTIG. Tyler, please go ahead.

Speaker 5

Yes. Hey, good morning, everyone. Thanks for taking the time. I wanted to talk a little bit about the infrastructure piece of the business here. Clearly, it's been a really solid contributor.

Speaker 5

I guess, can we just add a little bit of color in terms of how you're thinking about the strategy for that business in the near term? And then what could that look like in the medium term? Obviously, it's been a nice contributor. Just any other color there for the infrastructure piece?

Speaker 2

Sure. What we're seeing is continued demand in that area. And then as we our next step is to continue expansion throughout and create a national footprint. So we recently last year launched the plant in the Nashville area and we're seeing nice success there as that continues to grow and take orders and we see that as the model as we can continue to grow our business in that area throughout the, let's say, national footprint.

Speaker 5

Okay, great. And then I guess on that footprint piece there, I mean, any other color in terms of your level of comfort with the footprint at large as I look across the different business units? How you're thinking about maybe new expansion opportunities outside of that infrastructure piece? Any other comments there in terms of just how you're thinking about it from a strategy perspective?

Speaker 2

We're taking a look at that as a much more holistic view and we're taking a look at where do we have all of our factories for the different divisions and say how do we leverage those existing footprints better. So going forward, we're looking to flex additional products into the footprint we already have. So it really saves on opening the cost of opening a new plant, establishing a new location. We're well positioned throughout the country, but we can do more with what we already have. And that's really the first step.

Speaker 2

There's also going to be a need for some additional site locations as we continue our expansion plans. But as a first step, taking a much harder look to say how can we share with what we already have between the different businesses.

Speaker 5

Okay, great. Very helpful. Thanks, guys. Really appreciate the time. I'll turn it back to the queue.

Speaker 3

Thanks, Tyler.

Operator

And our next question comes from Mike Schlosky from D. A. Davidson. Mike, please go ahead.

Speaker 6

Hi, this is Linda on for Mike. Thank you for letting us ask questions. So my first question is following up on the battery supply supplier situation at Blue Arc. How many additional battery suppliers are you working with? And what are this company's level of experience delivering batteries to truck makers?

Speaker 2

We start with our next energy, which is our key focus right now. We continue to have great relationships with them. Their product is meeting all our needs and we have a high level of confidence of working with them as it goes through the process. We continue to have discussions with the previous battery supplier as well and that is an option if needed. And then we're out there on the market looking at 1 to 2 other battery suppliers just in case there is that need.

Speaker 2

But as of today, really focused on our next energy to be the battery that we go into production with.

Speaker 6

Great. Thank you for the color. And then my next question is, other truck body players have teamed up with 3rd party powertrain providers such as FCCC for their EV delivery vans. Has shifted given this area? Any thought, especially with the OEMs you already know so well?

Speaker 3

Yes. I think Linda, I think what I would say there is we do continue to do that. I mean, we've built if you go back to 2023, we've built over 1,000 EV either bodies or van upfits. We continue to have those running through our factories this year. And so we continue to stay close with, I'll call it, the legacy OEM supply base.

Speaker 3

And we've got the optionality from that perspective.

Speaker 2

I think that's one of the strengths of having the Utilmaster is still out there as a unit, say, we can build on any chassis and we've proven that. And as John said, we did over 1,000 vehicles last year and that trend is continuing this year. And then we have Blue Arc as another alternative just to give our customers options.

Speaker 6

Great. Thank you for that. And then my last question would be, what do we have to see from a macro perspective in order to start seeing final mile vehicle demand pick up again?

Speaker 2

I think it varies by customer. We're in a situation and they publicly announced what's going on, but a couple of them are in different places as they evaluate their situation. And one is heavily impacted in regards to previous strike on their ability and interest to further bring investment in. Another one is going through a fresh look and say how do they want to do that last mile delivery and how they want that organization to be. And so as they sort through those pieces, those are 2 of the big players that are out there that we're in close contact and work through that.

Speaker 2

So it's really for them to work out some of their internal strategies on what they want to do. What we're comfortable with is there is a certain replacement rate that needs to occur, which is just part of the business. And when that replacement rate kicks back in, we are in the right position.

Speaker 5

Got it. Thank you, Linda.

Speaker 6

Thanks.

Operator

And this concludes our question and answer session. I would like to turn the conference back over to Randy Wilson for some closing remarks. Please go ahead.

Speaker 1

Thank you, operator. I'd like to thank everyone for joining today's call. The Ship management team looks forward to connecting with the investment community over the coming months. You for your interest in the Ship Group and as always please reach out to us if you have any follow-up questions. With that, operator, please disconnect the call.

Operator

This concludes the call. Thank you for attending today's presentation. You may now disconnect and have a great rest of your day.

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Earnings Conference Call
The Shyft Group Q1 2024
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