March 10, 2004                                             

 

Press Release

 

SOURCE:  H&E Equipment Services L.L.C.

                       

H&E Equipment Services Reports Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter and Year Ended December 31, 2003

 

 

BATON ROUGE, LA., March 10, 2004/news/ --H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (“H&E” or the “Company”), today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2003.  The merger between H&E and ICM Equipment Company L.L.C. (“ICM”) was completed on June 17, 2002.  Accordingly, the actual operating results for the year ended December 31, 2002 include the results of ICM from the period June 18, 2002 to December 31, 2002.

 

The Company reported a 0.5% increase in fourth quarter total revenues to $107.5 million in 2003 from $107.0 million for the fourth quarter 2002, with a 12.7% decline in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA). The net loss for the fourth quarter this year was $7.2 million compared to a net loss of $5.8 million for the fourth quarter last year. 

 

Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2003, were $413.7 million, compared to $351.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 (on an actual basis). On a pro forma basis, giving effect to the merger of ICM with and into H&E as if it had occurred at the beginning of the period presented, for the year ended December 31, 2003, total revenues declined 4.2% from last year, with a corresponding 18.1% decline in EBITDA.

 

“2003 was a challenging year for the Company due to the overall economic conditions affecting our industry,” said John Engquist, President and Chief Executive Officer.  “In spite of the challenges, we were successful in managing key elements of our business that we could control.  During the year, the Company generated sufficient cash flows to reduce total outstanding debt by $37.8 million. For the year, total proceeds from the sales of rental fleet equipment exceeded the rental fleet capital expenditures by approximately $21.3 million.   We believe that we have one of the best maintained rental fleets in the industry, with an average age of 41.1 months at December 31, 2003.”

 

“We amended our credit agreement taking advantage of the Company’s strong asset base to provide additional liquidity and operating flexibility.  We were very pleased that the amendment extended the maturity of the senior secured credit facility to February 2009.  Also, during the fourth quarter and for the equipment industry in general, we continued to see some improvement in rental rates and a reduction in excess equipment fleet capacity as compared to earlier in the year,” said Engquist.

 

“We are anticipating steady economic improvement throughout 2004.  We believe we have the flexibility to continue managing the business relative to the economic changes,” concluded John Engquist.

 

 

 

 

Results of Operations

 

For the quarter ended December 31, 2003, total revenues were $107.5 million, compared to $107.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2002, an increase of $0.5 million or 0.5%. Equipment rental revenues decreased $4.1 million, or 9.6%, to $38.6 million from $42.7 million for the same time period last year.  The decrease was attributable primarily due to lower time utilization in the crane and hi-lift segments.  New and used equipment sales were $42.0 million in 2003 compared to $38.9 million for 2002, an increase of $3.1 million, or 8.0%.  Sales of rental fleet equipment accounted for the quarter over quarter increase.   Parts sales and service revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2003 increased $0.8 million, or 3.8%, to $21.7 million from $20.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2002.  Of the total increase, service revenues increased $0.5 million while parts sales increased $0.3 million.

 

For the three months ended December 31, 2003, total gross profit was $27.4 million, compared to $27.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2002, a decrease of $0.4 million or 1.4%. Total gross profit margin was 25.5% compared with the total gross profit margin of 26.0% in the fourth quarter of 2002.

 

For the fourth quarter 2003, equipment rental gross profit decreased $2.0 million, or 13.3%, to $13.0 million from $15.0 million for the same time period last year.  New and used equipment gross profit for the fourth quarter this year increased $1.7 million, or 38.6%, to $6.1 million from $4.4 million for the same period last year.  The gross profit margin increased 3.2% for fourth quarter 2003 compared to the gross profit margin last year.  Parts and service gross profit for the three months ended December 31, 2003 was $8.5 million, which was consistent for the same time period in 2002.  Parts gross profit decreased $1.0 million and service gross profit increased $0.9 million. 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $1.0 million, or 4.2%, to $24.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2003 from $23.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2002. The Company has continued to realize savings from the cost controlling initiatives implemented during the year.  However, some of the savings have been offset by increased insurance, professional fees, fuel and other expenses.

 

EBITDA for the three months ended December 31, 2003 decreased 12.7%, to $17.2 million from $19.7 million for the same period in 2002. 

 

 

Pro Forma Results

 

The pro forma combined selected statement of operations data for the year ended December 31, 2002, presented herein, gives effect to the merger of ICM into H&E as if it had occurred at the beginning of the period presented. 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2003 total revenues were $413.7 million, compared to $431.7 million (pro forma) for the year ended December 31, 2002, a decline of $18.0 million or 4.2%.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2003, equipment rental revenues decreased 8.8%, or $14.8 million, to $153.9 million from $168.7 million (pro forma) for the same time period last year.  Crane rental revenues decreased $5.7 million, hi-lift equipment rental revenues decreased $5.8 million, lift truck equipment rental revenues decreased $0.6 million, and other equipment rental revenues decreased $4.5 million.  Earth moving equipment rental revenues increased $1.8 million. 

 

New and used equipment sales decreased to $152.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $153.0 million (pro forma), a decline of $0.4 million, or 0.3%, for the comparable period last year.  New and used equipment sales for cranes decreased $13.1 million, hi-lift equipment decreased $2.7 million and other equipment decreased $0.9 million.  New and used equipment sales for earth moving equipment increased $16.0 million and lift trucks increased $0.3 million. 

                                                                                                                                 

Parts sales and service revenues for the year ended December 31, 2003 were $87.0 million compared to $91.4 million (pro forma) for the same period in 2002.  Of the total $4.4 million or 4.8% decline, parts sales accounted for $1.7 million of the difference and service revenues accounted for the remaining $2.7 million difference. 

 

For year ended December 31, 2003 total gross profit was $106.3 million, compared to $119.2 million (pro forma) for the year ended December 31, 2002, a decline of $12.9 million, or 10.8%. For 2003, total gross profit margin decreased to 25.7% from 27.6% (pro forma) for 2002.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2003 equipment rental gross profit decreased 22.6% or $14.5 million to $49.6 million from $64.1 million (pro forma) for the same time period last year.

 

New and used equipment gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2003 increased 5.5% or $1.1 million, to $21.2 million from $20.1 million (pro forma) for the same period last year. The gross profit margin for new and used equipment sales increased to13.9% from 13.1% (pro forma) for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. 

 

Parts and service gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2003 declined $2.4 million or 6.4%, to $34.9 million from $37.3 million (pro forma) for the same time period in 2002. 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses declined $1.4 million or 1.4% to $99.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $101.3 million (pro forma) for the year ended December 31, 2002. 

 

EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2003 decreased 18.1%, to $65.1 million from $79.5 million (pro forma) for the same period in 2002. 

 

The Company’s management will hold its fourth quarter earnings conference call on March 11, 2004 at 11:00 AM. Eastern Standard Time.  The conference call number is 1.800.282.9233 and the participant code is 6422.

 

About H&E Equipment Services L.L.C.

 

H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. is one of the largest integrated equipment rental, service and sales companies in the United States with an integrated network of 41 facilities, most of which have full service capabilities, and a workforce that includes a highly-skilled group of service technicians and separate rental and equipment sales forces.  In addition to renting equipment, the Company also sells new and used equipment and provides extensive parts and service support.  This integrated model enables the Company to effectively manage key aspects of its rental fleet through reduced equipment acquisition costs, efficient maintenance and profitable disposition of rental equipment.  The Company generates a significant portion of our gross profit from parts sales and service revenues.  Refer to the Form 10-K for December 31, 2002, filed on April 14, 2003 and to the Form S-1 filed on December 31, 2003.

 


 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Certain statements contained in this presentation are forward-looking in nature.  These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “on track,” or “anticipates,” or the negative thereof or comparable terminology, or by discussion of strategy.  The Company’s business and operations are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and, consequently, actual results may materially differ from those projected by any forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those projected include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) unfavorable economic and industry conditions can reduce demand and prices for the Company’s products and services, (2) governmental funding for highway and other construction projects may not reach expected levels, (3) the Company may not have access to capital that it may require, and (4) intense competition.  The Company makes no commitment to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances after the date any such statement is made.


 

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES L.L.C.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

(in thousands)

 

 

Three Months Ended December 31,

Year Ended December 31,

 

          2003 

 2002

2003 

2002 (1)

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

Equipment rentals

$38,600

$42,697

$153,851

$136,624

New equipment sales

23,139

23,999

81,692

72,143

Used equipment sales

18,945

14,850

70,926

52,487

Parts sales

13,657

13,403

53,658

47,218

Service revenues

7,957

7,493

33,349

27,755

Other

5,209

4,564

20,206

15,473

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

107,507

107,006

413,682

351,700

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit:

 

 

 

 

 

Equipment rentals

12,961

15,049

49,575

52,745

New equipment sales

2,281

1,240

7,526

6,088

Used equipment sales

3,782

3,161

13,719

9,461

Parts sales

3,487

4,453

14,572

13,207

Service revenues

4,984

4,061

20,306

16,317

Other

(63)

(159)

568

(1,340)

 

 

 

 

 

Total gross profit

27,432

27,805

106,266

96,478

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

24,696

23,710

99,872

82,294

Loss from litigation

-

-

17,434

-

Related party expense

-

-

1,275

-

Gain (loss) on sale of property and equipment

(2)

24

80

59

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

2,734

4,119

(12,235)

14,243

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

(9,953)

(10,109)

(39,394)

(28,955)

Other income, net

32

210

221

372

 

 

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

(7,187)

(5,780)

(51,408)

(14,340)

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax (provision) benefit

(24)

-

(24)

1,271

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

$(7,211)

$(5,780)

$(51,432)

$(13,069)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)     Includes the results of operations of ICM Equipment Company, L.L.C. from the date of the merger (June 18, 2002) through

        December 31, 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES L.L.C.

SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA

As of December 31, 2003 and 2002

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

  2003  

  2002

 

 

 

Cash

$3,891

$3,398

Rental equipment, net

259,282

314,892

Total assets

401,954

468,344

 

 

 

Total debt (1)

290,979

328,737

Total liabilities

428,956

443,914

Member’s equity (deficit)

(27,002)

24,430

Total liabilities and member’s equity (deficit)

$401,954

$468,344

 

 

 

(1)  Total debt consists of the aggregate amounts outstanding on the senior secured credit facility, senior secured notes, senior subordinated notes and capital lease obligations.

 

 


 

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES L.L.C.

 COMBINED SELECTED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA

 

(in thousands)

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

          2003 

        Actual

 2002 (1)

Pro Forma

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

Equipment rentals

$153,851

$168,705

New equipment sales

81,692

87,907

Used equipment sales                                    

70,926

65,100

Parts sales

53,658

55,374

Service revenues

33,349

35,990

Other

20,206

18,645

 

 

 

Total revenues

413,682

431,721

 

 

 

Gross profit:

 

 

Equipment rentals

49,575

64,106

New equipment sales

7,526

7,923

Used equipment sales

13,719

12,236

Parts sales

14,572

15,656

Service revenues

20,306

21,556

Other

568

(2,290)

 

 

 

Total gross profit

106,266

119,187

 

 

 

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

99,872

101,281

Loss from litigation

17,434

-

Related party expense

1,275

-

Gain on sale of property and equipment

80

59

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

($12,235)

$17,965

 

(1)  The unaudited pro forma combined selected statement of operations data for the year ended

 December 31, 2002, gives effect to the merger of ICM with and into H&E as if it had occurred at the beginning of the period presented.

 


 

 

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES L.L.C.

RECONCILIATION OF EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST, TAXES, DEPRECIATION and AMORTIZATION

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended December 31,

Year Ended December 31,

 

2003

Actual

2002

Actual

2003

Actual

   2002 (1)

Pro Forma

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

$2,734

$4,119

$(12,235)

$17,965

Depreciation and amortization

14,492

15,595

58,823

61,624

Loss from litigation

-

-

17,434

-

Loss (gain) on sale of property

2

(24)

(80)

(59)

Related party expense

-

-

1,275

-

Related party payment

(75)

-

(75)

-

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization

 

$17,153

 

$19,690

 

$65,142

 

$79,530

 

 

 

 

 

(1)  The unaudited pro forma combined selected statement of operations data for the year ended December 31, 2002,

 gives effect to the merger