Firan Technology Group Corporation (“FTG”) Announces Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Firan Technology Group Corporation (“FTG”) Announces Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results

TORONTO, Oct. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Firan Technology Group Corporation (TSX:FTG) today announced financial results for the third quarter of 2022.

  • FTG achieved a seventh sequential quarter of increased bookings as the aerospace industry recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Third quarter bookings of $27.9M are up 33% over Q3 2021 and is the best bookings quarter since Q3 2019
  • FTG has maintained strong liquidity with net cash on the balance sheet of $10.8M, after investments in the quarter of $0.7M for recurring capital expenditures, $1.4M for research and development, $8.5M to the Aerospace Chatsworth facility and $0.8M for FTG share buybacks
  • Sales for Q3 2022 were $23.1M, which is an increase of 17.0% over Q3 2021 and an increase of 3.5% over Q2 2022
  • FTG recorded earnings per share of $0.03 in Q3 2022 without the benefit of government assistance

Third Quarter Results: (three months ended September 2, 2022 compared with three months ended September 3, 2021)

  Q3 2022
    Q3 2021  
Sales $23,095,000   $19,738,000  
     
Gross Margin   5,708,000     3,796,000  
Gross Margin (%)   24.7%     19.2%  
     
Operating Earnings (1):   2,231,000     477,000  
     
• R&D Investment   1,390,000     1,225,000  
• R&D Tax Credits   (142,000)     (159,000)  
• Foreign Exchange Loss (gain)   (298,000)     (423,000)  
• Amortization of Intangibles   31,000     51,000  
Net Earnings before Tax   1,250,000     1,451,000  
     
• Income Tax   509,000     703,000  
• Non-controlling Interests   18,000     (26,000)  
Net Earnings After Tax $723,000   $774,000  
     
Earnings per share    
– basic $0.03   $0.03  
– diluted $0.03   $0.03  
     
Government Assistance included in the Periods:    
• Forgiveness of Debt       1,668,000  
• Other Government Subsidies       787,000  
Total Government Assistance included in the Periods       2,455,000  
             

Year-to-Date: (nine months ended September 2, 2022 compared with nine months ended September 3, 2021)

    YTD 2022     YTD 2021  
Sales $65,874,000   $59,038,000  
     
Gross Margin   15,574,000     12,886,000  
Gross Margin (%)   23.6%     21.8%  
     
Operating Earnings (1):   5,389,000     3,681,000  
     
• R&D Investment   4,422,000     4,112,000  
• R&D Tax Credits   (498,000)     (465,000)  
• Foreign Exchange Loss (gain)   (9,000)     739,000  
• Amortization of Intangibles   92,000     210,000  
• Forgiveness of debt       (3,004,000)  
Net Earnings before Tax   1,382,000     2,089,000  
     
• Income Tax   1,339,000     1,779,000  
• Non-controlling Interests   39,000     (74,000)  
Net Earnings After Tax $4,000   $384,000  
     
(Loss) Earnings per share    
– basic $0.00   $0.01  
– diluted $0.00   $0.01  
     
Government Assistance included in the Periods:    
• Forgiveness of Debt       3,004,000  
• Other Government Subsidies   314,000     3,139,000  
Total Government Assistance included in the Periods   314,000     6,143,000  

(1)   Operating Earnings is not a measure recognized under International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). Management believes that this measure is important to many of the Corporation’s shareholders, creditors and other stakeholders. The Corporation’s method of calculating Operating Earnings may differ from other corporations and accordingly may not be comparable to measures used by other corporations.

Business Highlights

FTG accomplished many goals in Q3 2022 that continue to improve the Corporation and position it for the future, including:

  • Achieved a 1.21:1 book-to-bill ratio for Q3 2022
  • Booked $7.5M in new purchase orders to supply cockpit assemblies for military and commercial simulators for different aircrafts including refueling fixed wing aircraft, helicopters and business jets, with the work to be performed by FTG’s Aerospace segment facilities in Toronto, Ontario, Chatsworth, California and Tianjin, China over the next 9-12 months
  • Total backlog as of the end of Q3 2022 is $55.8M, up 57% from Q3 2021
  • Received $1.3M of funding from FedDev Ontario, which was the first instalment from the Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative (ARRI) program. The funding is repayable, without interest, commencing in 2025 through to 2030

Overall for FTG, sales increased by $3.4M or 17% from $19.7M in Q3 2021 to $23.1M in Q3 2022, as the market conditions for aerospace and defense electronics have improved considerably since last year. Each of FTG’s seven sites in North America and China contributed to the increase in sales. The average FX rate in Q3 2022 was 3.6% more favourable than Q3 2021. On a year-to-date basis, sales were $65.9M compared to $59.0M for the same period last year.

The Circuits Segment sales were up $1.5M or 11% from $13.1M in Q3 2021 to $14.6M in Q3 2022, with the increase in sales spread across sites in both North America and China. The increase in Inter-segment sales is primarily due to increased demand for military products with Circuits Chatsworth supplying PCBs for integration into assemblies at Aerospace Chatsworth. On a year-to-date basis, net sales were $44.3M as compared to $38.1M for the prior year period.

For the Aerospace Segment, sales were up $2.2M or 30% from $7.4M in Q3 2021 to $9.6M in Q3 2022. In particular, the Aerospace Tianjin site was able to ramp up very quickly to respond to demand from a US commercial aerospace customer. Sales of Simulator products were $0.6M in Q3 22 as compared to $0.4M in Q3 21, however Simulator sales remain down $2.1M from 2021 on a year-to-date basis. FTG has increased backlog in the Simulator market and expects to see stronger sales over the next few quarters. On a year-to-date basis, net sales were $25.4M as compared to $23.2M for the prior year period with the increase in sales spread across sites in both North America and China. The supply of electronic components continues to be a constraint on making product deliveries to customers.

Gross margins in Q3 2022 were $5.7M or 24.7% compared to $3.8M or 19.2% in Q3 2021. The increased sales volume in Q3 2022 contributed positively to the gross margin rate. Excluding government assistance, the gross margin rate improved to 24.7% in Q3 2022 from 15.7% in Q3 2021. On a year-to-date basis, gross margin was $15.6M or 23.6% as compared to $12.9M or 21.8% for the comparable prior year period. Excluding government assistance, the gross margin rate on a year-to-date basis improved to 23.2% in 2022 from 17.1% in the prior year. The increase in the gross margin rate is due to the operating leverage of increased sales volumes and operational efficiencies.

Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for FTG was $8.5M, of which $2.8M was generated in Q3 2022.

The following table reconciles net earnings to EBITDA(2) for the trailing 12 months ended September 2, 2022.

      Trailing 12
Months
   
           
  Net earnings to equity holders of FTG   (124,000 )  
  Add:        
  Interest, Accretion   452,000    
  Income taxes   1,968,000    
  Depreciation/Amortization/ Stock Comp.   6,157,000    
           
  EBITDA $ 8,453,000    

(2)   EBITDA are not measures recognized under International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). Management believes that these measures are important to many of the Corporation’s shareholders, creditors and other stakeholders. The Corporation’s method of calculating EBITDA may differ from other corporations and accordingly may not be comparable to measures used by other corporations.

Net earnings after tax at FTG in Q3 2022 was $0.7M or $0.03 per diluted share compared to $0.7M or $0.03 per diluted share in Q3 2021. The increased sales and gross margin in Q3 2022 were offset by reduced COVID-19 related government subsidies. In Q3 2022, no government assistance was recorded, whereas Q3 2021 included government assistance of $2.5M (wage subsidies in Canada and PPP loan forgiveness in the U.S). Excluding COVID-19 related government subsidies, net earnings after tax from FTG’s operations improved by $2.4M pre-tax in Q3 2022 compared to Q3 2021.

For the year-to-date period, FTG’s net earnings after tax was $0.0M or $0.00 per share as compared to $0.4M or $0.01 per share for the comparable period of 2021. During the year-to-date period in 2022, government subsidies included $0.3M from the US Department of Transportation AMJP program, whereas the comparable period in 2021 included $6.1M of wage and rent subsidies in Canada and PPP loan forgiveness in the U.S. Excluding COVID-19 related government subsidies, net earnings after tax from FTG’s operations improved by $5.3M pre-tax in the year-to-date period in 2022 compared to 2021.

The Circuits Segment net earnings before corporate and interest and other costs was $0.8M in Q3 2022 compared to $1.6M in Q3 2021. The increase in sales was the most significant impact on the segment profitability offset by reduced subsidies from the US and Canadian governments. Q3 2022 included no government subsidies whereas Q3 2021 included $2.1M. Excluding the effect of government subsidies, net earnings from the Circuits Segment increased by $1.3M.  

The contract with the unionized production employees at the Circuits Toronto site expired in Q3 2022. Negotiations between FTG and the union regarding wages and benefits are on-going, which we expect will be completed without a labour disruption. If a labour disruption were to occur, this would have a negative impact on product deliveries to customers and on sales and profitability of the Corporation.

The Aerospace net earnings before corporate and interest and other costs in the quarter was $1.3M in Q3 2022 versus $0.3M in Q3 2021. The Aerospace Segment did not receive any government subsidies in Q3 2022 whereas Q3 2021 included $0.3M. Excluding the effect of government subsidies, net earnings from the Aerospace Segment increased by $1.3M.

As at September 2, 2022, the Corporation’s net working capital was $30.8M, compared to $40.0M at year-end in 2021.

Net cash at the end of Q3 2022 was $10.8M compared to net cash of $17.9M at the end of 2021.

The Corporation will host a live conference call on Thursday, October 13th, 2022 at 8:30am (Eastern) to discuss the results of Q3 2022.

Anyone wishing to participate in the call should dial 416-764-8646 or 1-888-396-8049, Conference ID 533077051, and identify that you are calling to participate in the FTG conference call. The Chairperson is Mr. Brad Bourne. A replay of the call will be available until November 13, 2022 and will be available on the FTG website at www.ftgcorp.com. The number to call for a rebroadcast is 416-764-8692 or 1-877-674-7070, playback passcode: 077051 #.        

ABOUT FIRAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION

FTG is an aerospace and defense electronics product and subsystem supplier to customers around the globe. FTG has two operating units:

FTG Circuits is a manufacturer of high technology, high reliability printed circuit boards. Our customers are leaders in the aviation, defense, and high technology industries. FTG Circuits has operations in Toronto, Ontario, Chatsworth, California, Fredericksburg, Virginia and a joint venture in Tianjin, China.

FTG Aerospace manufactures and repairs illuminated cockpit panels, keyboards and sub-assemblies for original equipment manufacturers of aerospace and defense equipment. FTG Aerospace has operations in Toronto, Ontario, Chatsworth, California, and Tianjin, China.

The Corporation’s shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol FTG.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are related to, but not limited to, FTG’s operations, anticipated financial performance, business prospects and strategies. Forward-looking information typically contains words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “plan” or similar words suggesting future outcomes. Such statements are based on the current expectations of management of the Corporation and inherently involve numerous risks and uncertainties, known and unknown, including economic factors and the Corporation’s industry, generally. The preceding list is not exhaustive of all possible factors. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual events and results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements made by the Corporation. The reader is cautioned to consider these and other factors carefully when making decisions with respect to the Corporation and not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Other than as may be required by law, FTG disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For further information please contact:        

Bradley C. Bourne, President and CEO                                                 
Firan Technology Group Corporation
Tel: (416) 299-4000 x314
bradbourne@ftgcorp.com

Jamie Crichton, Vice President and CFO                                  
Firan Technology Group Corporation
Tel: (416) 299-4000 x264
jamiecrichton@ftgcorp.com 

Additional information can be found at the Corporation’s website www.ftgcorp.com

FIRAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION      
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position    
           
(Unaudited)   September 2, November 30,  
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)   2022     2021  
ASSETS        
Current assets      
Cash and cash equivalents $ 13,715   $ 20,196  
Accounts receivable   17,079     16,014  
Contract assets   497     818  
Inventories     18,742     16,953  
Income tax recoverable   501     1  
Prepaid expenses and other   1,031     3,162  
        51,565     57,144  
Non-current assets      
Plant and equipment, net   19,644     11,078  
Right-of-use assets   9,540     10,098  
Investment tax credits recoverable       327  
Intangible and other assets, net   437     805  
Total assets   $ 81,186   $ 79,452  
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY      
Current liabilities      
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 13,022   $ 13,803  
Provisions     1,077     545  
Contract liabilities   4,292     335  
Current portion of bank debt   982     935  
Current portion of government loan   47      
Current portion of lease liabilities   1,318     1,553  
        20,738     17,171  
Non-current liabilities      
Bank debt     605     1,327  
Government loan   1,278      
Lease liabilities   8,941     9,123  
Deferred tax payable   679     789  
Total liabilities   32,241     28,410  
Equity        
Retained earnings $ 18,886   $ 19,391  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   (698 )   478  
        18,188     19,869  
Share capital      
Common Shares   21,456     21,881  
Contributed surplus   8,373     8,352  
Total equity attributable to FTG’s shareholders   48,017     50,102  
Non-controlling interest   928     940  
Total equity   48,945     51,042  
Total liabilities and equity $ 81,186   $ 79,452  
           

FIRAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION              
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss)            
                 
    Three months ended   Nine months ended
(Unaudited) September 2,   September 3,   September 2,   September 3,
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)   2022       2021       2022       2021  
                 
Sales   $ 23,095     $ 19,738     $ 65,874     $ 59,038  
                 
Cost of sales              
Cost of sales   16,126       14,540       46,230       41,898  
Depreciation of plant and equipment   962       1,028       3,058       3,142  
Depreciation of right-of-use assets   299       374       1,012       1,112  
Total cost of sales   17,387       15,942       50,300       46,152  
Gross margin   5,708       3,796       15,574       12,886  
                 
Expenses              
Selling, general and administrative   3,253       3,144       9,530       8,494  
Research and development costs   1,390       1,225       4,422       4,112  
Recovery of investment tax credits   (142 )     (159 )     (498 )     (465 )
Depreciation of plant and equipment   56       60       169       185  
Depreciation of right-of-use assets   12       17       34       51  
Amortization of intangible assets   31       51       92       210  
Interest expense (income)   (10 )     14       (13 )     81  
Accretion on lease liabilities   114       120       332       368  
Stock based compensation   52       (36 )     133       26  
Foreign exchange (gain) loss   (298 )     (423 )     (9 )     739  
Forgiveness of debt         (1,668 )           (3,004 )
Total expenses   4,458       2,345       14,192       10,797  
                 
Earnings before income taxes   1,250       1,451       1,382       2,089  
                 
Current income tax expense   480       670       1,238       1,685  
Deferred income tax expense   29       33       101       94  
Total income tax expense   509       703       1,339       1,779  
                 
Net earnings $ 741     $ 748     $ 43     $ 310  
                 
Attributable to:              
Non-controlling interest $ 18     $ (26 )   $ 39     $ (74 )
Equity holders of FTG $ 723     $ 774     $ 4     $ 384  
                 
Earnings per share, attributable to the equity holders of FTG              
Basic $ 0.03     $ 0.03     $ 0.00     $ 0.01  
Diluted $ 0.03     $ 0.03     $ 0.00     $ 0.01  
                 

FIRAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION                
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)        
                     
        Three months ended   Nine months ended
(Unaudited)   September 2,   September 3,   September 2,   September 3,
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)     2022       2021       2022       2021  
                     
Net earnings   $ 741     $ 748     $ 43     $ 310  
                     
Other comprehensive income (loss) to be reclassified to                
  net earnings (loss) in subsequent periods:                
                     
  Change in foreign currency translation adjustments     734       862       200       (645 )
  Net gain (loss) on valuation of derivative financial instruments                
    designated as cash flow hedges     (2,937 )     (2,511 )     (1,902 )     1,246  
  Deferred income taxes on net gain (loss) on valuation of                
    derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges     734       628       475       (312 )
                     
          (1,469 )     (1,021 )     (1,227 )     289  
                     
Total comprehensive income (loss)   $ (728 )   $ (273 )   $ (1,184 )   $ 599  
                     
Attributable to:                
Equity holders of FTG   $ (746 )   $ (247 )   $ (1,167 )   $ 756  
Non-controlling interest   $ 18     $ (26 )   $ (17 )   $ (157 )
                     

FIRAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION          
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity        
                 
Nine months ended September 2, 2022   Attributed to the equity holders of FTG      
          Accumulated      
          other   Non-  
(Unaudited) Common Retained Contributed comprehensive
  controlling Total
(in thousands of Canadian dollars) shares earnings surplus income Total interest equity
Balance, November 30, 2021 $ 21,881   $ 19,391   $ 8,352 $ 478   $ 50,102   $ 940   $ 51,042  
Net income       4           4     39     43  
Stock-based compensation           21       21         21  
Repurchase and cancellation of shares   (425 )   (509 )         (934 )       (934 )
Other comprehensive loss             (1,176 )   (1,176 )   (51 )   (1,227 )
Balance, September 2, 2022 $ 21,456   $ 18,886   $ 8,373 $ (698 ) $ 48,017   $ 928   $ 48,945  
                 
Nine months ended September 3, 2021   Attributed to the equity holders of FTG      
          Accumulated      
          other   Non-  
(Unaudited) Common Retained Contributed comprehensive   controlling Total
(in thousands of Canadian dollars) shares earnings surplus income (loss) Total interest equity
Balance, November 30, 2020 $ 21,881   $ 19,135   $ 8,303 $ 958   $ 50,277   $ 1,011   $ 51,288  
Net income (loss)       384           384     (74 )   310  
Stock-based compensation           26       26         26  
Other comprehensive income (loss)             333     333     (44 )   289  
Balance, September 3, 2021 $ 21,881   $ 19,519   $ 8,329 $ 1,291   $ 51,020   $ 893   $ 51,913  
                 

Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows            
                 
    Three months ended   Nine months ended
(Unaudited) September 2,   September 3,   September 2,   September 3,
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)   2022       2021       2022       2021  
Net inflow (outflow) of cash related to the following:              
Operating activities              
Net earnings $ 741     $ 748     $ 43     $ 310  
Items not affecting cash and cash equivalents              
Stock-based compensation   52       (36 )     133       26  
Gain on disposal of plant and equipment         (4 )     (10 )     (3 )
Effect of exchange rates on U.S. dollar bank debt   (282 )     90       (345 )     (194 )
Depreciation of plant and equipment   1,018       1,088       3,227       3,327  
Depreciation of right-of-use assets   311       391       1,046       1,163  
Amortization of intangible assets   31       51       92       210  
Amortization, other   7       9       23       35  
Investment tax credits/deferred income taxes   183       155       858       201  
Accretion on lease liabilities   114       120       332       368  
Forgiveness of debt         (1,668 )           (3,004 )
Net change in non-cash operating working capital   3,450       708       2,464       2,578  
      5,625       1,652       7,863       5,017  
Investing activities              
Purchase of Aerospace Chatsworth facility   (8,518 )           (8,518 )      
Additions to plant and equipment   (683 )     (956 )     (3,241 )     (1,951 )
Recovery of contract and other costs   4       (2 )     281       20  
Additions to deferred financing costs   (1 )     (54 )     (5 )     (62 )
Proceeds from disposal of plant and equipment                      
      (9,198 )     (1,012 )     (11,483 )     (1,993 )
Net cash flow from operating and investing activities   (3,573 )     640       (3,620 )     3,024  
Financing activities              
Proceeds from ARRI loan   1,325             1,325        
Repayments of debt   (235 )     (227 )     (697 )     (685 )
Lease liability payments   (382 )     (444 )     (1,205 )     (1,343 )
Repurchase and cancellation of shares   (817 )           (934 )      
      (109 )     (671 )     (1,511 )     (2,028 )
Effects of foreign exchange rate changes on cash flow   (1,157 )     519       (1,350 )     (481 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalent   (4,839 )     488       (6,481 )     515  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period   18,554       19,059       20,196       19,032  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 13,715     $ 19,547     $ 13,715     $ 19,547  
                 
Disclosure of cash payments              
Payment for interest $ 21     $ 31     $ 68     $ 102  
Payments for income taxes $ 218     $ 112     $ 694     $ 706  

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