Babcock & Wilcox News

• U.K. Renewable new-build projects continue to advance.
• Cost-savings actions targeting $45 million in annual savings underway.
• Evaluating strategic alternatives for MEGTEC and Universal.
  
   

(CHARLOTTE, N.C. – November 8, 2017) – Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. ("B&W") (NYSE: BW) announced today third quarter 2017 revenues of $408.7 million, a decrease of $2.3 million, or 0.5%, compared to the third quarter of 2016. GAAP earnings per share in third quarter 2017 were a loss of $2.48 compared to earnings per share of $0.18 in third quarter 2016. Included in third quarter 2017 GAAP earnings are non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $86.9 million, or $1.86 per share. Adjusted earnings per share were a loss of $0.49 for the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to adjusted earnings per share of $0.36 in the prior year period. A reconciliation of non-GAAP results is provided in Exhibit 1.

“During the quarter, we made significant progress on our U.K. Renewable new-build projects, and we continue to expect these projects to be substantially construction complete by mid-2018,” said E. James Ferland, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Importantly, we were able to agree to design changes with multiple customers that enhance plant performance and largely offset the financial impact of the boiler structural steel design issues we identified in late-September."

"We are driving cost-savings actions within our business segments and in overhead-related functions, with a target of approximately $45 million in annual savings, as we work to improve our global cost structure," continued Mr. Ferland.

"We ended third quarter in compliance with our financial covenants and forecast that we will remain in compliance going forward. Even with that positive outlook, it is prudent that we maximize our financial optionality as move closer to the completion of construction on our legacy U.K. Renewable new-build projects. With a favorable outlook for our MEGTEC and Universal business lines, we are evaluating strategic alternatives for these businesses. Beginning the process now should put us in a strong decision-making position in early 2018 to decide the best path forward."

Results of Operations

Consolidated revenues in third quarter 2017 were $408.7 million, a decrease of $2.3 million compared to $411.0 million in third quarter 2016, as higher revenue in the Industrial segment was offset by lower volumes in the Power segment and lower revenue on new-build projects in the Renewable segment. The GAAP operating loss in third quarter 2017 was $104.7 million compared to operating income of $11.1 million in third quarter 2016. Included in the third quarter 2017 GAAP operating loss are non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $86.9 million, recorded in the Renewable segment and SPIG business line. The adjusted operating loss in third quarter 2017 was $9.4 million, compared to adjusted operating income of $23.8 million in third quarter 2016, due mainly to lower recognized profits on new-build Renewable projects, lower profit in Industrial, and lower volumes in Power, which were partially offset by lower SG&A expense; see Exhibit 1 for a reconciliation of non-GAAP results.

Third quarter 2017 revenues for the Power segment decreased 4.5% to $202.2 million compared to $211.7 million in the prior year period. Revenues decreased as a result of lower construction activities associated with new build utility and environmental projects, which were mitigated by an increase in retrofit and service and industrial steam generation sales. Gross profit in the Power segment in third quarter 2017 was $40.6 million, compared to $48.9 million in the prior year period. Gross profit margin was 20.1% in third quarter 2017, compared to 23.1% in third quarter 2016. Benefits from the proactive restructuring plan introduced in mid-2016 and ongoing cost controls partially offset the impact of lower volumes on gross margin compared to the prior year period.

Industrial segment revenues increased 29.3% to $99.3 million in third quarter 2017 compared to $76.8 million in third quarter 2016, as organic growth was complemented by the addition of Universal. Gross profit in the Industrial segment was $9.5 million in third quarter 2017, compared to $14.6 million in the prior year period. Gross profit margin was 9.5%, compared to 19.0% last year, as higher volume was offset by overall business mix and lower profitability on certain cooling systems projects.

Revenues in the Renewable segment were $108.6 million for the third quarter of 2017, a 12.7% decrease compared to $124.3 million in third quarter 2016. Renewable segment gross profit was $0.2 million in third quarter 2017, compared to gross profit of $18.6 million reported in third quarter 2016.

In September 2017, the Company identified and announced the failure of a structural steel beam at a renewable new-build project in the U.K. Work was temporarily stopped at the project, pending corrective actions to stabilize the structure. A similar design was used on two other new-build projects in the U.K., and although no structural failure occurred on these projects, work was also stopped for a short period time, and reinforcement of the structure is underway. Total costs associated with the structural steel design issue at the three projects, mainly due to the resulting schedule impact, are in line with our previously stated estimate, and are estimated to be approximately $20 million. These costs were largely offset in the quarter by an increase in project revenue of approximately $15 million related to agreements with customers for design changes to increase the power output at the three new-build projects where the boiler structural steel design issue was identified.

Cost Savings Targeting $45 Million in Annual Savings

The Company has identified and is implementing multiple actions to proactively improve its global cost structure. Key actions include:

• Cost-savings initiatives across the Company including domestic and international workforce reductions, SG&A cost reductions and office closures and consolidations in non-core geographies. These actions are focused on productivity and efficiency gains to enhance profitability and cash flow.

   

• Specific to B&W Vølund, the Company is implementing a workforce reduction of approximately 30%. These actions are expected to optimize its workforce to operate under a new execution model for the Company’s new-build renewable business. The new model focuses on B&W’s core boiler, grate and environmental equipment technologies, with the balance-of-plant and civil construction scope being executed by a partner. This model provides the Company with a lower-risk profile and aligns with B&W’s strategy of being an equipment technology and solutions provider.

In total, these actions represent a workforce reduction of 9% and are expected to deliver annual savings of approximately $45 million in 2018. Roughly $20 million of these savings are anticipated to directly benefit profitability, with the remainder targeted at sustaining profitability as the Renewable segment shifts to its new execution model, and as the Company continues to optimize its Power business primarily as the result of lower revenue in the global new-build coal-fired power market. Total costs associated with these actions are anticipated to be approximately $20 million, most of which are expected to be recognized in fourth quarter 2017.

Evaluating Strategic Alternatives

The Company initiated the process to evaluate strategic alternatives for its MEGTEC and Universal business lines. The Company has engaged William Blair & Company LLC as a financial advisor in connection with this process. In addition, the Company continues to evaluate potential options regarding non-core assets.

Balance Sheet

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents balance, net of restricted cash, was $48.1 million at September 30, 2017. During the quarter, the Company entered into a second-lien term loan agreement under which the Company borrowed $175.9 million of which, the majority of which as used to reduce balances under revolving credit facilities. At September 30, 2017, outstanding balances under revolving credit facilities totaled $71.3 million.

Goodwill Impairment

The Company recorded non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $86.9 million in third quarter 2017 primarily due to a higher discount rate applied to projected cash flows in the Renewable segment and both a higher discount rate and lower near-term profitability in the SPIG business line.

Revising 2017 Outlook

The Company is providing revenue and gross margin guidance by segment as follows:

• Power: full year 2017 revenue at the low end of the previously guided range of $825 million to $875 million, with gross margin in the low 20% range
• Renewable: full year 2017 revenue of approximately $350 million with positive gross margins in second half 2017
• Industrial: full year 2017 revenue at the low end of the previously guided range of $400 million to $450 million, with gross margin in the mid-teens

Conference Call to Discuss Third Quarter 2017 Results

Date:                           Wednesday, November 8, 2017, at 5:00 p.m. EST

Live Webcast:            Investor Relations section of website at www.babcock.com

Forward-Looking Statements

B&W cautions that this release contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements relating to our strategic objectives; our business execution model; management’s expectations regarding the industries in which we operate; our guidance and forecasts; our projected operating margin improvements, savings and restructuring costs; covenant compliance; and project execution. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including, among other things, our ability to maintain sufficient sources of liquidity to fund our operations, including sufficient bonding and surety capacity to meet customer requirements; our ability to realize anticipated savings and operational benefits from our restructuring plans, and other cost-savings initiatives; our ability to successfully capitalize on the strategic alternative evaluation of our MEGTEC and Universal business lines; our ability to successfully integrate and realize the expected synergies from acquisitions; our ability to realize the benefits of expected cross-selling opportunities from acquisitions; our ability to successfully address productivity and schedule issues in our Renewable segment, including our efforts to enhance its resources and infrastructure; timely completion of engineering work; productivity of subcontractors; our ability to successfully refine our the execution model of our Renewable segment; our ability to meet performance guarantees; our ability to successfully partner with third parties to win and execute renewable projects; changes in the jurisdictional mix of our income and losses; disruptions experienced with customers and suppliers; claims by third parties; the inability to retain key personnel; adverse changes in the industries in which we operate; and delays, changes or termination of contracts in backlog. If one or more of these risks or other risks materialize, actual results may vary materially from those expressed. For a more complete discussion of these and other risk factors, see B&W’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. B&W cautions not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release, and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, except to the extent required by applicable law.

About B&W  

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Babcock & Wilcox is a global leader in energy and environmental technologies and services for the power and industrial markets. Follow us on Twitter @BabcockWilcox and learn more at www.babcock.com.

Exhibit 1
Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Operating Income and Earnings Per Share(1)(2)
(In millions, except per share amounts)

(1) Figures may not be clerically accurate due to rounding.

(2) B&W is providing non-GAAP information regarding certain of its historical results to supplement the results provided in accordance with GAAP, and it should not be considered superior to, or as a substitute for, the comparable GAAP measures. B&W believes the non-GAAP measures provide meaningful insight into the Company’s operational performance and provides these measures to investors to help facilitate comparisons of operating results with prior periods and to assist them in understanding B&W’s ongoing operations.

Exhibit 2
Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations(1)
(In millions, except per share amounts)

(1) Figures may not be clerically accurate due to rounding.

Exhibit 3
Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets(1)
(In millions, except per share amount)

(1) Figures may not be clerically accurate due to rounding.

Exhibit 4
Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows(1)
(In millions)

(1) Figures may not be clerically accurate due to rounding.

Exhibit 5
Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc.
Segment Information(1)
(In millions)

(1) Figures may not be clerically accurate due to rounding.

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