Document

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 8-K
 
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 25, 2020
 
Mistras Group, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware 001- 34481 22-3341267
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
 
195 Clarksville Road  
Princeton Junction, New Jersey 08550
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (609) 716-4000
 
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2 below):
 
o            Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
o            Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
o            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d 2(b))
 
o            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: 
Title of each classTrading SymbolName of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $.01 par valueMGNew York Stock Exchange
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐




Item 2.02.  Results of Operations and Financial Condition
 
On March 25, 2020, the Company issued a press release announcing the financial results for our fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2019.  A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this report.

Disclosure of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
 
In the press release attached, the Company uses the terms “Adjusted EBITDA”, “free cash flow” and "net debt", which are not measures of financial performance under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Also, in the tables to the press release, the non-GAAP financial measures "Segment and Total Company Income before Special Items” and "Diluted EPS excluding Special Items", are presented and reconciled to financial measures under GAAP. Information about these non-GAAP measures are included in the press release.

Our management uses these non-GAAP measurements as a measure of operating performance and liquidity to assist in comparing performance from period to period on a consistent basis, as a measure for planning and forecasting overall expectations and for evaluating actual results against such expectations. Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow are also performance evaluation metrics used to determine incentive compensation for executive officers.

We believe that investors and other users of the financial statements benefit from the presentation of these non-GAAP measurements because they provide additional metrics to compare the Company's operating performance and liquidity on a consistent basis and measure underlying trends and results of the Company's business. Adjusted EBITDA and Segment and Total Company Income before Special Items assist in evaluating our operating performance because they remove the impact of certain items that management believes do not directly reflect our core operations. For instance, Adjusted EBITDA generally excludes interest expense, taxes and depreciation and amortization, each of which can vary substantially from company to company depending upon accounting methods and the book value and age of assets, capital structure, capital investment cycles and the method by which assets were acquired. It also eliminates stock-based compensation, which is a non-cash expense and is excluded by management when evaluating the underlying performance of our business operations.

Our management uses free cash flow when evaluating the performance of our business operations. This measurement also takes into account cash used to purchase fixed assets needed for business operations which are not expensed. We believe this measurement provides an additional tool to compare cash generated by our operations on a consistent basis and measure underlying trends and results in our business.

While Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow are terms and financial measurements commonly used by investors and securities analysts, they have limitations. As non-GAAP measurements, Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flows have no standard meaning and, therefore, may not be comparable with similar measurements for other companies. Similarly, segment and total company income before special items and diluted EPS excluding special items has no standard meaning and may not be comparable to measurements for other companies. Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow are generally limited as analytical tools because they exclude charges and expenses we do incur as part of our operations as well as cash uses which are included in a GAAP cash flow statement. In addition, free cash flow does not represent residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures since items such as debt repayments are not deducted in determining such measurement.

None of these non-GAAP financial measurements should be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analyzing our results as reported under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Item 9.01.  Financial Statement and Exhibits
 
(d)  Exhibits

99.1 Press release issued by Mistras Group, Inc. on March 25, 2020

2


SIGNATURE
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 MISTRAS GROUP, INC.
   
   
Date: March 25, 2020By:/s/ Michael C. Keefe
  Name:Michael C. Keefe
  Title:Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary


Exhibit No. Description

3
Document



Exhibit 99.1
https://cdn.kscope.io/2474f7ff85dffb9ced3fef0e422f48b4-image1.jpg


Mistras Group Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Results
Record Annual Revenue of $749 million
Full 2019 Gross Margin Expands by 100 basis points to 29%
Full 2019 Operating Cash Flow Up 42% to $59 million


Highlights of the Fourth Quarter 2019*
Cash flows from operations of $18.6 million, up 6.6%
Free cash flow of $13.7 million, up 12.9%
Debt repayment of $13.1 million
SG&A expenses reduced $0.9 million to $42.6 million
Highlights of the Full Year 2019*
Gross profit of $217.3 million, up 4.5%

Gross margin expanded 100 basis points to 29.0%

Income from operations of $24.1 million, up 8.6%
Cash flow from operations of $59.1 million, up 41.9%
Free cash flow of $36.2 million, up 76.2%
Debt repayment of $35.6 million (Approximately 98% of free cash flow)



* All comparisons are consolidated and versus the equivalent prior year period.





PRINCETON JUNCTION, N.J., March 25, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mistras Group, Inc. (MG: NYSE), a leading "one source" global provider of technology-enabled asset protection solutions, reported financial results for its fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2019.

For the full year 2019, consolidated revenues were a record $748.6 million, as a result of growth arising from our focus on expanding our core end markets, particularly midstream, power generation and aerospace. For the year, consolidated gross profit increased 4.5% to $217.3 million and the consolidated gross margin expanded to 29.0%, improving by 100 basis points and marking the second consecutive year of a 100-basis-point or better gross margin expansion. This improvement is attributable to favorable operating leverage and sales mix.

Chief Executive Officer Dennis Bertolotti stated, "I am pleased to report another year of record revenue as well as consolidated results that reflect the progress being achieved with our strategic initiatives to position Mistras for further growth and improved returns. Gross profit margins were up over last year in all segments, with gross profit margins now up 220 basis points over the past two years. Cash flows also significantly increased and represent one of the recurring strengths of our business model, as well as a key to driving further growth. Overhead spending was also held in check, which is a key emphasis to improve operating leverage and drive further margin expansion. Over the course of the past year, our strategy has been to deploy cash flow to reduce debt and to target tuck-in acquisitions that further strengthen our capabilities in growth markets, such as midstream as well as our digital capabilities. Our recent acquisition, New Century Software, is being integrated with our existing PCMS offering and Onstream’s technology solutions, to offer midstream pipeline operators the unparalleled ability to optimize the allocation of their asset protection resources. Additionally, the increasing implementation of ruggedized tablets at many of our field operations is creating productivity gains that owners tell us would not have been otherwise available. We enter 2020 in a solid position, given our ongoing digitization efforts to gain efficiency within our Oil and Gas core, diversification into newer end markets and deleveraging of our balance sheet. As such, our technology initiatives and increasing productivity provide a solid plan to capitalize on a growing market that is increasingly looking for partners that can provide innovative solutions.”

Performance by segment, both during the quarter and year to date, was as follows:

Services segment fourth quarter revenues increased by $1.1 million or 0.8%, reflecting the slowdown in energy markets noted last quarter. Full year 2019 revenues increased by $20.5 million or 3.6%, which was primarily attributable to acquisition growth. For the fourth quarter, margins were 26.7%, down from the year-ago quarter of 27.4% due to inefficiencies created by the fourth quarter energy market slowdown. Gross margin for the full year improved by 140 basis points to 27.8% from 26.4% in 2018. This follows an 80-basis-point improvement in Services gross margins in fiscal 2018.

International segment fourth quarter revenues decreased by $2.2 million or 6.0%, primarily due to the continued runoff of the European Staff Leasing business, in addition to unfavorable currency translation. International revenues were also down for the full year, due to the Staff Leasing business. Excluding Staff Leasing, full year 2019 International revenues would have been up modestly over 2018. While revenues declined as a result of the Staff Leasing business runoff, full year margins benefited from the decreased volume of this inherently lower-margin business. International segment fourth quarter gross margin was 28.7%, down slightly from the year ago quarter of 30.1%, while full year 2019 margins rose 30 basis points to 29.9%.




Products and Systems segment revenue decreased for both the quarter and the year. This segment was impacted by the sale of an underperforming subsidiary in the third quarter of 2018. The segment has been generating new sales to partially offset the impact of the divestiture. Products and Systems segment gross profit margins improved for both the quarter and the year, with margins reaching a recent high of approximately 52.9% in the fourth quarter, attributable primarily to the profitability of the new sales.

The Company generated $59.1 million of cash flows from operating activities in 2019, an increase of 41.9% from a year ago. Free cash flow for the year was $36.2 million, a 76.2% increase from $20.5 million for the full year 2018. The Company generated net income of $6.1 million in 2019, compared with $6.8 million the prior year period. The Company generated adjusted EBITDA of $73.5 million in 2019, a nominal increase compared with 2018. Note that the Company recorded $1.5 million of customer charges during the fourth quarter of 2019 within SG&A expenses, which have not been added back to year-to-date adjusted EBITDA.

The Company’s net debt (total debt less cash and cash equivalents) was $239.7 million at December 31, 2019, compared to $265.1 million at December 31, 2018. Gross debt decreased by $35.9 million during 2019, from $290.6 million at the beginning of the year to $254.7 million at the end of the year. The Company continues to use its strong cash flow and effective working capital management to reduce outstanding borrowings. The Company’s bank group granted a deferral in the timing of the original leverage step down, such that the Company’s allowable leverage will stay at 4.0X until June 30, 2020, reduce to 3.75X at September 30, 2020 and eventually reduce to 3.5X at December 31, 2020 and periods thereafter.

Guidance for 2020
The Company experienced a weakening Oil and Gas market coming into the fourth quarter of 2019, which was believed would continue into the first quarter of 2020. Additional macro concerns have since surfaced, most prominently the impact of COVID-19 coronavirus (“COVID-19”), while crude oil prices remain under intense pressure. Given the uncertainty at this time, the Company will not provide full year guidance.

The Company’s results have exhibited seasonal fluctuations, with the first quarter of the year typically being the lowest level, attributable to reduced energy industry activity and the Company anticipates fiscal 2020 results to follow this historical pattern. In addition, current factors such as low crude prices and COVID-19 are further impacting the first quarter of 2020. Accordingly, the Company expects revenue for first quarter of 2020 to be down sequentially from the fourth quarter of 2019 as well as from the first quarter of last year, by approximately mid-teens percentage. Despite the lower anticipated revenues, the Company expects positive adjusted EBITDA in the first quarter of 2020.

Conference Call
In connection with this release, MISTRAS will hold a conference call on March 26, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern). The call will be broadcast over the Web and can be accessed on MISTRAS' Website, www.mistrasgroup.com. Individuals in the U.S. wishing to participate in the conference call by phone may dial 1-844-832-7227 and use confirmation code 9586568 when prompted. The International dial-in number is 1-224-633-1529. Those who wish to listen to the call later can access an archived copy of the conference call at the MISTRAS Website.

About MISTRAS Group, Inc.



MISTRAS offers one of the broadest "one source" services and technology-enabled asset protection solution portfolios in the industry used to evaluate the structural integrity of energy, industrial and public infrastructure and aerospace components. Mission critical services and solutions are delivered globally and provide customers with the ability to extend the useful life of their assets, improve productivity and profitability, comply with government safety and environmental regulations and enhance risk management operational decisions.

MISTRAS uniquely combines its industry leading products and technologies; mechanical integrity ("MI") and non-destructive testing ("NDT") services; destructive testing services; and its proprietary world class data warehousing and analysis software and online monitoring - to provide comprehensive and competitive products, systems and services solutions from a single source provider.

For more information, please visit the company's website at www.mistrasgroup.com or contact Nestor S. Makarigakis, Group Vice President of Marketing at marcom@mistrasgroup.com.

Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements
Certain statements made in this press release are "forward-looking statements" about MISTRAS' financial results and estimates, products and services, business model, strategy, growth opportunities, profitability and competitive position, and other matters. These forward-looking statements generally use words such as "future," "possible," "potential," "targeted," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "predict," "project," "will," "may," "should," "could," "would" and other similar words and phrases. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by which, such performance or results will be achieved, if at all. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in these statements. A list, description and discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties can be found in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 15, 2019, as updated by our reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and MISTRAS undertakes no obligation to update such statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures
In addition to financial information prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (GAAP), this press release also contains adjusted financial measures that we believe provide investors and management with supplemental information relating to operating performance and trends that facilitate comparisons between periods and with respect to projected information. The term "Adjusted EBITDA" used in this release is a financial measurement not calculated in accordance with GAAP and is defined as net income attributable to MISTRAS Group, Inc. plus: interest expense, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation expense and certain acquisition related costs (including transaction due diligence costs and adjustments to the fair value of contingent consideration), foreign exchange (gain) loss and, if applicable, certain special items which are noted. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to a financial measurement under GAAP is set forth in a table attached to this press release. In the press release, the Company also uses the term "non-GAAP Net Income", which is GAAP net income adjusted for certain items management believes are unusual and non-recurring. In the tables attached is a table reconciling "Net Income (Loss) (GAAP)" to "Net Income Excluding Special Items (non-GAAP), which reconciles the non-GAAP amount to a GAAP measurement. In addition, the Company has also included in the attached tables non-GAAP measurement” “Segment and Total Company Income (Loss) Before Special Items”, reconciling these



measurements to financial measurements under GAAP. The Company uses the term “free cash flow”, a non-GAAP measurement the Company defines as cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures (which is classified as an investing activity). The Company also uses the term “net debt”, a non-GAAP measurement defined as the sum of the current and long-term portions of long-term debt, less cash and cash equivalent.




Mistras Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
December 31,
20192018
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents$15,016  $25,544  
Accounts receivable, net135,997  148,324  
Inventories13,413  13,053  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets14,729  15,870  
Total current assets179,155  202,791  
Property, plant and equipment, net98,607  93,895  
Intangible assets, net109,537  111,395  
Goodwill282,410  279,259  
Deferred income taxes1,786  1,930  
Other assets48,383  4,767  
Total Assets$719,878  $694,037  
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable$15,033  $13,863  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities81,389  73,895  
Current portion of long-term debt6,593  6,833  
Current portion of finance lease obligations4,131  3,922  
Income taxes payable2,094  1,958  
Total current liabilities109,240  100,471  
Long-term debt, net of current portion248,120  283,787  
Obligations under finance leases, net of current portion13,043  9,075  
Deferred income taxes21,290  23,148  
Other long-term liabilities42,163  6,482  
Total Liabilities$433,856  $422,963  
Commitments and contingencies
Equity
Preferred stock, 10,000,000 shares authorized—  —  
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 28,945,472 and 28,562,608 shares issued 289  285  
Additional paid-in capital229,205  226,616  
Retained earnings77,613  71,553  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(21,285) (27,557) 
Total Mistras Group, Inc. stockholders’ equity285,822  270,897  
Non-controlling interests200  177  
Total Equity286,022  271,074  
Total Liabilities and Equity$719,878  $694,037  



Mistras Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
For the quarter ended
December 31,
For the year ended
December 31,
2019201820192018
Revenue$178,991  $180,762  $748,586  $742,354  
Cost of revenue122,768  122,892  509,489  512,024  
Depreciation5,640  5,555  21,800  22,456  
Gross profit50,583  52,315  217,297  207,874  
Selling, general and administrative expenses42,607  43,470  168,621  165,702  
Bad debt provision for troubled customers, net of recoveries240  650  3,038  650  
Pension withdrawal expense359  —  848  5,886  
Gain on sale of subsidiary—  —  —  (2,384) 
Research and engineering784  896  3,045  3,310  
Depreciation and amortization4,353  3,122  16,733  11,957  
Acquisition-related expense (benefit), net(95) 1,675  875  532  
Income from operations2,335  2,502  24,137  22,221  
Interest expense3,633  2,370  13,698  7,950  
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes(1,298) 132  10,439  14,271  
Provision (benefit) for income taxes(2,134) 1,197  4,359  7,426  
Net income (loss)836  (1,065) 6,080  6,845  
Less: net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of taxes (4) 20   
Net income (loss) attributable to Mistras Group, Inc.$829  $(1,061) $6,060  $6,836  
Earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic$0.03  $(0.04) $0.21  $0.24  
Diluted$0.03  $(0.04) $0.21  $0.23  
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic28,923  28,541  28,740  28,406  
Diluted29,125  28,541  29,046  29,427  




Mistras Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Operating Data by Segment
(in thousands)

 For the quarter ended
December 31,
For the year ended
December 31,
2019201820192018
Revenues
Services$141,051  $139,966  $595,130  $574,619  
International34,969  37,210  144,271  153,448  
Products and Systems5,362  6,139  18,583  23,426  
Corporate and eliminations(2,391) (2,553) (9,398) (9,139) 
$178,991  $180,762  $748,586  $742,354  
 For the quarter ended
December 31,
For the year ended
December 31,
2019201820192018
Gross profit
Services$37,610  $38,299  $165,513  $151,974  
International10,032  11,191  43,145  45,464  
Products and Systems2,835  2,854  8,639  10,560  
Corporate and eliminations106  (29) —  (124) 
$50,583  $52,315  $217,297  $207,874  




Mistras Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Reconciliation of
Segment and Total Company Income from Operations (GAAP) to Income before Special Items (non-GAAP)
(in thousands)

 For the quarter ended
December 31,
For the year ended 
December 31,
2019201820192018
Services:
Income from operations (GAAP)$8,878  $10,234  $49,593  $47,126  
Pension withdrawal expense359  —  848  5,886  
Bad debt provision for troubled customers, net of recoveries240  650  3,018  650  
Reorganization and other costs100  166  302  458  
Acquisition-related expense (benefit), net(36) 1,385  541  576  
Income before special items (non-GAAP)$9,541  $12,435  $54,302  $54,696  
International:
Income from operations (GAAP)$701  $1,240  $5,856  $3,953  
Reorganization and other costs (benefit), net(89) 419  266  3,966  
Acquisition-related (benefit), net —  —  —  (409) 
Bad debt provision for troubled customers, net of recoveries—  —  20  —  
Income before special items (non-GAAP)$612  $1,659  $6,142  $7,510  
Products and Systems:
Income (loss) from operations (GAAP)$695  $336  $(529) $2,368  
Gain on sale of subsidiary—  —  —  (2,384) 
Reorganization and other costs—  —  218  29  
Income (loss) before special items (non-GAAP)$695  $336  $(311) $13  
Corporate and Eliminations:
Loss from operations (GAAP)$(7,939) $(9,308) $(30,783) $(31,226) 
Reorganization and other costs—  —  104  305  
Acquisition-related expense (benefit), net(59) 290  334  365  
Loss before special items (non-GAAP)$(7,998) $(9,018) $(30,345) $(30,556) 
Total Company:
Income from operations (GAAP)$2,335  $2,502  $24,137  $22,221  
Pension withdrawal expense359  —  848  5,886  
Gain on sale of subsidiary—  —  —  (2,384) 
Bad debt provision for troubled customers, net of recoveries240  650  3,038  650  
Reorganization and other costs11  585  890  4,758  
Acquisition-related expense (benefit), net(95) 1,675  875  532  
Income before special items (non-GAAP)$2,850  $5,412  $29,788  $31,663  





Mistras Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Summary Cash Flow Information
(in thousands)

 For the quarter ended
December 31,
For the year ended
December 31,
 2019201820192018
Net cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities$18,634  $17,480  $59,110  $41,664  
Investing activities(3,652) (145,619) (25,280) (155,450) 
Financing activities(14,616) 137,874  (44,137) 113,969  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash278  (1,264) (221) (2,180) 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents$644  $8,471  $(10,528) $(1,997) 



Mistras Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Reconciliation of
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities (GAAP) to Free Cash Flow (non-GAAP)
(in thousands)

For the quarter ended
December 31,
For the year ended
December 31,
2019201820192018
Net cash provided by operating activities (GAAP)$18,634  $17,480  $59,110  $41,664  
Less:
    Purchases of property, plant and equipment(4,772) (5,198) (22,047) (20,584) 
    Purchases of intangible assets(169) (156) (873) (541) 
Free cash flow (non-GAAP)$13,693  $12,126  $36,190  $20,539  





Mistras Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Reconciliation of
Net Income (Loss) (GAAP) to Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)
(in thousands)



 For the quarter ended
December 31,
For the year ended
December 31,
2019201820192018
Net income (loss) (GAAP)$836  $(1,065) $6,080  $6,845  
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of taxes (4) 20   
Net income (loss) attributable to Mistras Group, Inc.$829  $(1,061) $6,060  $6,836  
Interest expense3,633  2,370  13,698  7,950  
(Benefit) provision for income taxes(2,134) 1,197  4,359  7,426  
Depreciation and amortization9,993  8,677  38,533  34,413  
Share-based compensation expense1,174  1,347  5,766  6,107  
Pension withdrawal expense359  —  848  5,886  
Gain on sale of subsidiary—  —  —  (2,384) 
Acquisition-related expense (benefit), net(95) 1,675  875  532  
Reorganization and other costs11  585  890  4,758  
Bad debt provision for troubled customers, net of recoveries240  650  3,038  650  
Foreign exchange (gain) loss466  660  (535) 1,311  
Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)$14,476  $16,100  $73,532  $73,485