Firan Technology Group Corporation (“FTG”) Announces Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results

TORONTO, July 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Firan Technology Group Corporation (TSX: FTG) today announced financial results for the second quarter 2021.

• FTG achieved a second sequential quarter of increased bookings as the aerospace industry recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Second quarter bookings are up 8% over Q1 2021 and up 20% over Q4 2020.

• Gross margins rebounded 7.2 percentage points over Q1 2021 to 26.8% with increased revenues and stronger operating performance, demonstrating the operating leverage that results from increased sales.

• FTG increased net cash on the balance sheet to $14.8M, an increase of $1.4M in Q2 2021 again showing the cash generating nature of the business. Over the past 18 months, during the pandemic, FTG has generated $13M in Free Cash Flow, after investments in R&D and capital equipment.

• FTG was approved for an additional $1.2M in Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) in the quarter which we used to help maintain our workforce in the face of revenue reductions due to COVID-19.
  

Second Quarter Results: (three months ended June 4, 2021 compared with three months ended May 29, 2020)

	Q2 2021		Q2 2020
Sales	$20,330,000		$26,822,000
Gross Margin		5,454,000		8,674,000
Gross Margin (%)		26.8%		32.3%
Operating Earnings (1):		2,544,000		4,313,000
• Net R&D Investment		1,531,000		1,583,000
• R&D Tax Credits		(179,000)		(203,000)
• Foreign Exchange (Gain) Loss		544,000		(464,000)
• Amortization of Intangibles		70,000		97,000
Net Earnings before Tax		578,000		3,300,000
• Income Tax		589,000		1,302,000
• Non-controlling Interests		(21,000)		(36,000)
Net Earnings After Tax	$10,000		$2,034,000
Earnings per share
- basic	$0.00		$0.08
- diluted	$0.00		$0.08
Year-to-Date: (six months ended June 4, 2021 compared with six months ended May 29, 2020)
	YTD 2021		YTD 2020
Sales	$39,300,0000		$51,360,0000
Gross Margin		9,116,000		12,634,000
Gross Margin (%)		23.2%		24.6%
Operating Earnings (1):		3,230,000		4,555,000
• R&D Investment		2,913,000		2,664,000
• R&D Tax Credits		(306,000)		(375,000)
• Foreign Exchange (Gain) Loss		1,162,000		(415,000)
• Amortization of Intangibles		159,000		396,000
• Impairment of Intangibles		-		1,145,000
• Forgiveness of debt		(1,336,000)		-
Net Earnings before Tax		638,000		1,140,000
• Income Tax		1,076,000		1,771,000
• Non-controlling Interests		(48,000)		(68,000)
Net Loss After Tax	($390,000)		($563,000)
Loss per share
- basic	($0.02)		($0.02)
- diluted	($0.02)		($0.02)

^{(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 Q2 2021 that continue to improve the Corporation and position it for the future, including:

• Achieved a 0.97:1 book-to-bill ratio for Q2 2021. Increased bookings by 8% compared to Q1 2021, and by 20% compared to Q4 2020 as the Commercial aerospace industry begins to recover.

• Was approved for an additional $1.2M in Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) which we used to help maintain our workforce in the face of revenue reductions due to COVID-19.

• Subsequent to the end of Q2, FTG received forgiveness of USD 1.3M, being the residual of US Paycheck Protection Program funds received by our U.S. operations as a result of FTG maintaining our workforce for the required period of time. This amount will be included in income for Q3 2021.

• FTG Aerospace Chatsworth, which maintained an engineering office in Dallas-Fort Worth since the acquisition of Photo-Etch in 2016, will close this office by the end of 2021 and move the function to the Chatsworth site in California reducing the site’s facility costs in 2022 and beyond.

• Received significant new bid and qualification opportunities for both businesses that are expected to benefit FTG revenues and market share in the coming quarters;

  • Repatriation efforts to re-shore some circuits board sourcing to North America.

  • New Aerospace opportunities for circuit board sourcing from low cost countries (China).

  • Opportunities to participate in the new US trainer aircraft cockpit.

  • Increased awards for circuit boards on a contract renewal from a US Tier 1 avionics manufacturer.

  • New qualification opportunities for circuit boards for a major US headquartered EMS provider.

  • New opportunities for space applications for circuit boards and shipped first flight cockpit panels for manned-space vehicle within the quarter.

  • Large new circuit board and assembly opportunity from a large US Defense contractor.

  • A number of new US military aftermarket assembly opportunities for multi-year procurements.

• The Averatek semi-additive circuit board manufacturing equipment in our Circuits Fredericksburg facility completed installation and was operational in Q2. Activities have been initiated with over 10 customers to develop this process to address future industry demands.

Overall for FTG, sales decreased by $6.5M or 24% from $26.8M in Q2 2020 to $20.3M in Q2 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted commercial aerospace activity as well as the weaker US dollar has negatively impacted sales reported in Canadian currency. The average exchange rate for Q2 2021 was $1.24 as compared to $1.40 for Q2 2020, which is a decline of 11%. This represents approximately a $2.5M negative impact on sales in the quarter compared to Q2 last year. On a year-to-date basis, sales were $39.3M as compared to $51.4M in 2020. The decrease is due to the COVID-19 pandemic impact on commercial aerospace activity as well as the currency impact. The average exchange rate for the year-to-date period in 2021 was $1.26 as compared to $1.36 in the comparable prior year period.

On a sequential basis, sales increased from $19.0M in Q1 2021 to $20.3M in Q2 2021, with the gradual recovery of commercial aerospace shipments taking hold, as well as fewer COVID-19 issues within our operating sites.

The Circuits Segment net sales in Q2 2021 were down $6.6M, or 35% in Q2 2021 versus Q2 2020. All sites were down but the largest decline was seen in the Circuits Toronto plant which is more heavily exposed to the Commercial Aerospace market. On a year-to-date basis, net sales were $25.0 as compared to $36.1M for the prior year period.

For the Aerospace Segment, net sales in Q2 2021 were $7.3M compared to $7.2M in Q2 last year, an increase of $0.1M or 2%. Increased shipments to military customers from our Chatsworth, CA site exceeded the combined impact of the downturn in the commercial aerospace market, reduced Simulator related sales and the currency impact. The Aerospace Tianjin site was down as it is exclusively focused on commercial aerospace. On a year-to-date basis, net sales were $14.3M as compared to $15.3M for the prior year period.

Gross margins in Q2 2021 were $5.5M or 26.8% compared to $8.7M or 32.3% in Q2 2020. The lower sales impacted the overall margin. The CEWS added $1.2M to gross margin or 5.8 percentage points (Q2 2020 - $0.8M or 3.0 percentage points). On a year-to-date basis, gross margin was $9.1M or 23.2% as compared to $12.6M or 24.6% for the comparable prior year period. The decline in gross margin is due to the lower level of sales, partially offset by CEWS of $2.2M in 2021 as compared to $0.8M in 2020.

Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for FTG was $11.5M. Lower sales, unfavourable foreign exchange impact and some operational challenges in Circuits Chatsworth, were partially offset by wage subsidies in Canada and the PPP forgiveness in the US.

The following table reconciles EBITDA⁽²⁾ to the net earnings for the trailing 12 months as at June 4, 2021.

	Trailing 12 Months
Net earnings to equity holders of FTG		1,563,000
Add:
Interest, accretion		706,000
Income taxes		2,689,000
Depreciation/Amortization &Stock Comp		6,523,000
EBITDA	$	11,481,000

^{(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 Q2 2021 was $0.0M or $0.00 per diluted share compared to $2.0M or $0.08 per diluted share in Q2 2020. Revenues were reduced due to the decline in the Commercial Aerospace market as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the weaker US dollar. In Q2 2021, the average FX rate was 1.24 as compared to 1.40 in Q2 2020. For the year-to-date period, FTG incurred a net loss of $0.4M or $0.02 per share as compared to a net loss of $0.6M or $0.02 per share for the comparable period of 2020. Apart from the reduction in sales, the 2021 year-to-date period included $1.3M of debt forgiveness, whereas the prior year period included $1.1M of impairment of intangible assets.

The Circuits Segment net earnings before corporate and interest and other costs was $1.1M in Q2 2021 compared to $3.8M in Q2 2020. The lower sales was the most significant impact on the segment profitability. The stronger Canadian dollar also hurt results as did some operational challenges such as the Circuits Toronto site being designated a COVID hotspot in the quarter, the impact of paid sick days being introduced in Ontario and some ongoing production challenges in the Chatsworth site.

The Aerospace net earnings before corporate and interest and other costs decreased to $0.4M in Q2 2021 from $0.6M in Q2 2020. Segment profitability was negatively impacted by the weaker US dollar.

As at June 4, 2021, the Corporation’s net working capital was $41.3M, compared to $39.4M at year-end in 2020.

FTG ended Q2 2021 with $14.8M in net cash as compared to $12.6M at the end of 2020, and $13.4M at the end of the first quarter 2021.

Subsequent to Q2 2021, the Corporation reached an agreement with its primary lender to extend the Corporation’s credit facilities to July 2026.

The Corporation will host a live conference call on Thursday, July 15, 2021 at 8:30am (Eastern) to discuss the results of the second quarter 2021.

Anyone wishing to participate in the call should dial 647-427-2311 or 1-866-521-4909 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 August 15, 2021 and will be available on the FTG website at www.ftgcorp.com. The number to call for a rebroadcast is 416-621-4642 or 1-800-585-8367, Conference ID 1169927.

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, Fort Worth, Texas 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)		June 4,		November 30,
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)		2021		2020
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	19,059	$	19,032
Accounts receivable			12,364		16,795
Contract assets			1,055		985
Inventories			18,179		19,304
Prepaid expenses and other			7,494		3,363
			58,151		59,479
Non-current assets
Plant and equipment, net			11,046		12,640
Right-of-use assets			11,003		12,130
Investment tax credits recoverable			427		1,359
Intangible and other assets, net			860		1,068
Total assets		$	81,487	$	86,676
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		$	11,043	$	13,904
Provisions			558		885
Contract liabilities			342		388
Current portion of bank debt			2,472		2,931
Current portion of lease liabilities			1,714		1,810
Income tax payable			730		155
			16,859		20,073
Non-current liabilities
Bank debt			1,780		3,464
Lease liabilities			9,756		10,659
Deferred tax payable			870		1,192
Total liabilities			29,265		35,388
Equity
Retained earnings		$	18,745	$	19,135
Accumulated other comprehensive income			2,350		958
			21,095		20,093
Share capital
Common Shares			21,881		21,881
Contributed surplus			8,365		8,303
Total equity attributable to FTG's shareholders			51,341		50,277
Non-controlling interest			881		1,011
Total equity			52,222		51,288
Total liabilities and equity		$	81,487	$	86,676

FIRAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss)
		Three months ended								Six months ended
(Unaudited)		June 4,				May 29,				June 4,				May 29,
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)		2021				2020				2021				2020
Sales		$	20,330			$	26,822			$	39,300			$	51,360
Cost of sales
Cost of sales			13,467				16,678				27,332				35,877
Depreciation of plant and equipment			1,037				1,069				2,114				2,063
Depreciation of right-of-use assets			372				401				738				786
Total cost of sales			14,876				18,148				30,184				38,726
Gross margin			5,454				8,674				9,116				12,634
Expenses
Selling, general and administrative			2,659				4,056				5,350				7,487
Research and development costs			1,531				1,583				2,913				2,664
Recovery of investment tax credits			(179	)			(203	)			(306	)			(375	)
Depreciation of plant and equipment			62				54				125				100
Depreciation of right-of-use assets			17				13				34				25
Amortization of intangible assets			70				97				159				396
Interest expense on bank debt, net			28				57				67				98
Accretion on lease liabilities			122				141				248				278
Stock based compensation			22				40				62				91
Foreign exchange (gain) loss			544				(464	)			1,162				(415	)
Forgiveness of debt			-				-				(1,336	)			-
Impairment of intangible assets			-				-				-				1,145
Total expenses			4,876				5,374				8,478				11,494
Earnings before income taxes			578				3,300				638				1,140
Current income tax expense			554				1,261				1,015				1,695
Deferred income tax expense			35				41				61				76
Total income tax expense			589				1,302				1,076				1,771
Net earnings (loss)		$	(11	)		$	1,998			$	(438	)		$	(631	)
Attributable to:
Non-controlling interest		$	(21	)		$	(36	)		$	(48	)		$	(68	)
Equity holders of FTG		$	10			$	2,034			$	(390	)		$	(563	)
Earnings (loss) per share, attributable to the equity holders of FTG
Basic		$	0.00			$	0.08			$	(0.02	)		$	(0.02	)
Diluted		$	0.00			$	0.08			$	(0.02	)		$	(0.02	)

FIRAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Three months ended								Six months ended
(Unaudited)	June 4,				May 29,				June 4,				May 29,
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)		2021				2020				2021				2020
Net earnings (loss)	$	(11	)		$	1,998			$	(438	)		$	(631	)
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) to be reclassified to
net earnings (loss) in subsequent periods:
Change in foreign currency translation adjustments		(1,079	)			518				(1,507	)			766
Net gain (loss) on valuation of derivative financial instruments
designated as cash flow hedges		2,697				(478	)			3,757				(860	)
Deferred income taxes on net gain (loss) on valuation of
derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges		(675	)			120				(940	)			216
		943				160				1,310				122
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$	932			$	2,158			$	872			$	(509	)
Attributable to:
Equity holders of FTG	$	1,024			$	2,187			$	1,002			$	(466	)
Non-controlling interest	$	(92	)		$	(29	)		$	(130	)		$	(43	)

FIRAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
Six months ended June 4, 2021						Attributed to the equity holders of FTG
(Unaudited) (in thousands of Canadian dollars)	Common shares			Preferred shares		Retained earnings			Contributed surplus			Accumulated other comprehensive income			Total			Non- controlling interest			Total equity
Balance, November 30, 2020	$	21,881		$	-	$	19,135		$	8,303		$	958		$	50,277		$	1,011		$	51,288
Net loss		-			-		(390	)		-			-			(390	)		(48	)		(438	)
Stock-based compensation		-			-		-			62			-			62			-			62
Other comprehensive income (loss)		-			-		-			-			1,392			1,392			(82	)		1,310
Balance, June 4, 2021	$	21,881		$	-	$	18,745		$	8,365		$	2,350		$	51,341		$	881		$	52,222
Six months ended May 29, 2020						Attributed to the equity holders of FTG
(Unaudited) (in thousands of Canadian dollars)	Common shares			Preferred shares		Retained earnings			Contributed surplus			Accumulated other comprehensive loss			Total			Non- controlling interest			Total equity
Balance, November 30, 2019	$	19,323		$	2,218	$	17,745		$	8,933		$	(1,554	)	$	46,665		$	1,094		$	47,759
Net (loss)		-			-		(563	)		-			-			(563	)		(68	)		(631	)
Stock-based compensation		-			-		-			91			-			91			-			91
Transfer from contributed surplus to share capital for PSU’s exercised		760								(760	)		-			-			-			-
Common shares repurchase and issue on exercise of PSU's		(420	)		-		-			-			-			(420	)		-			(420	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		-			-		-			-			97			97			25			122
Balance, May 29, 2020	$	19,663		$	2,218	$	17,182		$	8,264		$	(1,457	)	$	45,870		$	1,051		$	46,921

FIRAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
		Three months ended								Six months ended
(Unaudited)		June 4,				May 29,				June 4,				May 29,
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)			2021				2020				2021				2020
Net inflow (outflow) of cash related to the following:
Operating activities
Net loss		$	(11	)		$	1,998			$	(438	)		$	(631	)
Items not affecting cash and cash equivalents:
Stock-based compensation			22				40				62				91
Loss on disposal of plant and equipment			-				-				1				6
Effect of exchange rates on U.S. dollar bank debt			(95	)			145				(284	)			198
Depreciation of plant and equipment			1,099				1,123				2,239				2,163
Depreciation of right-of-use assets			389				414				772				811
Amortization of intangible assets			70				97				159				396
Amortization, other			13				8				25				11
Impairment of intangible assets			-				-				-				1,145
Investment tax credits/deferred income taxes			(26	)			518				46				605
Accretion on lease liabilities			122				141				248				278
Forgiveness of debt			-				-				(1,336	)			-
Net change in non-cash operating working capital			1,381				(70	)			1,870				3,666
			2,964				4,414				3,364				8,739
Investing activities
Additions to plant and equipment			(617	)			(1,439	)			(995	)			(2,485	)
Recovery of contract and other costs			12				43				22				49
Additions to deferred financing costs			-				-				(8	)			-
			(605	)			(1,396	)			(981	)			(2,436	)
Net cash flow from operating and investing activities			2,359				3,018				2,383				6,303
Financing activities
Proceeds from bank debt			-				3,309				-				3,309
Repayments of bank debt			(226	)			(535	)			(458	)			(1,038	)
Lease liability payments			(447	)			(466	)			(899	)			(912	)
Repurchase of common shares on exercise of PSU's			-				(420	)			-				(420	)
			(673	)			1,888				(1,357	)			939
Effects of foreign exchange rate changes on cash flow			(700	)			(800	)			(999	)			(631	)
Net increase in cash flow			986				4,106				27				6,611
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period			18,073				10,152				19,032				7,647
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$	19,059			$	14,258			$	19,059			$	14,258
Disclosure of cash payments
Payment for interest		$	29			$	54			$	71			$	109
Payments for income taxes		$	397			$	138			$	594			$	1,117