Express-1 Expedited Solutions Reports Strong Q4 Results: Revenue Increases 95%, Operating Income Rises 84%
Express-1 Expedited Solutions, Inc. (AMEX:XPO) today reported its earnings for the fourth quarter, ended December 31, 2008.
Express-1 Expedited Solutions, through its three operating companies (Express-1, Concert Group Logistics and Bounce Logistics), provides the following premium transportation services: same-day delivery, time–sensitive shipping and premium freight brokerage throughout North America, as well as domestic and international freight forwarding.
Express-1 Expedited Solutions reported a 95% increase in revenue from continuing operations during the fourth quarter of 2008 to $25.0 million, compared to $12.8 million for the same period in the prior year. The acquisition of Concert Group Logistics, which had a transaction date of January 1, 2008, contributed $11.8 million to revenues for the period. For the fourth quarter, the Company's Express-1 operations experienced a decline in revenues of $2.1 million or 16.7% over the same three-month period during 2007. Bounce Logistics continued to show traction and contributed $2.8 million to the overall increase in revenues.
During the same period, operating income from continuing operations increased by 84% to $1,044,000 versus $569,000 during the same period of 2007. Income from continuing operations improved 39% to $514,000 or $0.02 per fully diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2008 compared to $369,000 or $0.01 per diluted share for the same period in 2007.
During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company discontinued its Express-1 Dedicated Operations, in anticipation of a cessation of this business activity during the first quarter of 2009. The Company's management does not anticipate the incurrence of material charges related to this shutdown activity. Income from discontinued operations was $73,000, net of tax during the fourth quarter of 2008, versus income of $88,000, net of tax on these same operations during the fourth quarter of 2007.
"Throughout 2008, we have shared with our investors the significant impact the Company has experienced from our Concert Group Logistics and Bounce Logistics operations. Each of these businesses is profitable and has contributed to the overall business mix within our platform. In periods of weakness within the various freight economies, it is important to have this diversity within our Company. With the widely publicized downturn in the domestic and international economies, the strength of our non-asset based operating model came through. While we're never totally pleased with our results, we are proud that we can maintain growth and profitability in the face of such an extremely weak freight market," stated Michael Welch, the Company's Chief Executive Officer.
Welch added, "I am pleased with the results we achieved from our two newer business units, Concert Group Logistics and Bounce Logistics. Each of these operations performed well in our weak economy. We're cautiously optimistic that each of these units will continue to grow throughout 2009, as our team develops new business and business relationships. Considering the overall weaknesses within the domestic expedite market, we are also pleased with the operating results from our Express-1 business unit during the quarter. We're focused on growth and business development initiatives. We completed some of the groundwork during the fourth quarter for what we anticipate will be an increase in business consolidation activities throughout 2009. During just the first few weeks of 2009, we have already completed one small acquisition of an important piece of expedite business volume. Our non-asset based business model is sound and we believe the financial strength of our Company can allow us to expand, even in this weakened economy."
Chief Financial Officer Mark Patterson said, "Once again, our Company continued to demonstrate significant operating leverage during the fourth quarter. The rate of growth within our Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) expenses was approximately one fourth the rate of growth of our revenues. The result of this leverage is that we have been able to continuously increase our operating income from continuing operations, even in periods of rate compression and weakness within the overall transportation market. During the fourth quarter of 2008, we took some significant steps aimed at controlling SG&A costs. These included headcount reductions; reductions in executive and managerial bonus awards; limitations on travel and entertainment; and limitations on hiring and wage increases. Our entire organization is focused upon efforts that will enhance and support our profitability, even in the face of the current recession. We are very proud of how our entire team has responded thus far."
Outlook
"Looking towards 2009, we continue to be focused on business development efforts and maintaining an acceptable level of profitability, until the economic climate improves. Jeff Curry at Express-1, Gerry Post at Concert Group Logistics and Tim Hindes at Bounce Logistics each lead a team of professionals that are committed to preserving the positive momentum we've developed over the past three and a half years," Welch said. "Potential acquisitions, new business development and stringent cost controls are critical to achieving the results we desire in 2009. Our non-asset based business model has proven itself over many years and in all types of economic climates. By remaining focused on our goals, we should be able to weather the current economic recession better than many of our peers within the transportation community."
Conference Call/Webcast Information
Management will conduct a conference call Wednesday February 11, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern to discuss the Company's fourth quarter financial results. Those interested in accessing a live or archived Webcast of the call should visit the Company's Website at www.express-1.com. Those wishing to take part in the live teleconference call can dial 877-407-9210, with international participants dialing 201-689-8049. A playback will be available until midnight on February 18, 2009. To listen to the playback, please call 877-660-6853. Use account number 286 and conference ID number 311564.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that may be subject to various risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are made based on management's current expectations or beliefs, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. These forward-looking statements, which may include statements regarding our future financial performance or results of operations, including expected revenue growth, cash flow growth, future expenses, future operating margins and other future or expected performance are subject to risks. These risks include: that our recent reorganization fails to result in projected operating efficiencies; the acquisition of businesses or the launch of new lines of business, which could increase operating expenses and dilute operating margins; increased competition, which could lead to negative pressure on our pricing and the need for increased marketing; the inability to maintain, establish or renew relationships with customers, whether due to competition or other factors; the inability to comply with regulatory requirements governing our business operations; and to the general risks associated with our businesses.
In addition to the risks and uncertainties discussed above, you can find additional information concerning risks and uncertainties that would cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or suggested in the forward-looking statements in the reports that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release represent our judgment as of the date of this release and you should not unduly rely on such statements. Unless otherwise required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date of this press release. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in the filing may not occur, and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.
| Express-1 Expedited Solutions, Inc. | ||||||||
| Consolidated Balance Sheet | ||||||||
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| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2008 | 2007 | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,107,000 | $ | 800,000 | ||||
| Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $133,000 and $77,000, respectively | 12,202,000 | 5,663,000 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses | 372,000 | 492,000 | ||||||
| Other current assets | 650,000 |
149,000 | ||||||
| Deferred tax asset, current | 493,000 | 1,549,000 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 14,824,000 |
8,653,000 | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net of $2,220,000 and $1,734,000 in accumulated depreciation, respectively | 3,141,000 | 2,312,000 | ||||||
| Goodwill | 14,915,000 | 7,737,000 | ||||||
| Identified intangible assets, net of $1,683,000 and $1,279,000 in accumulated amortization, respectively | 7,631,000 | 3,950,000 | ||||||
| Loans and advances | 63,000 | 104,000 | ||||||
| Deferred tax asset, long term | - | 377,000 | ||||||
| Other long term assets | 1,108,000 |
591,000 | ||||||
| $ | 41,682,000 | $ | 23,724,000 | |||||
| Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 6,578,000 | $ | 892,000 | ||||
| Accrued salaries and wages | 691,000 | 660,000 | ||||||
| Accrued acquisition earnouts | - | 2,210,000 | ||||||
| Accrued expenses, other | 862,000 | 861,000 | ||||||
| Current maturities of long term debt | 1,235,000 | 50,000 | ||||||
| Other current liabilities | 1,030,000 | 199,000 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 10,396,000 | 4,872,000 | ||||||
| Line of credit | 2,320,000 | - | ||||||
| Notes payable and capital leases, net of current maturities | 1,400,000 | 34,000 | ||||||
| Deferred tax liability, long term | 583,000 | - | ||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | 456,000 | 616,000 | ||||||
| Total long-term liabilities | 4,759,000 | 650,000 | ||||||
| Stockholders' equity: | ||||||||
| Preferred stock, $.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares no shares issued or outstanding | - | - | ||||||
| Common stock, $.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 32,215,218 and 27,008,768 shares issued and 32,035,218 and 26,516,037 shares outstanding | 32,000 | 27,000 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 26,316,000 | 21,152,000 | ||||||
Retained earnings (deficit) |
286,000 | (2,870,000 | ) | |||||
| Treasury stock, at cost, 180,000 shares held | (107,000 | ) | (107,000 | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders' equity | 26,527,000 | 18,202,000 | ||||||
| $ | 41,682,000 | $ | 23,724,000 | |||||
| Express-1 Expedited Solutions, Inc. | ||||||||||||||
| Consolidated Statements of Operations | ||||||||||||||
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Three Months Ended | Twelve Months Ended | ||||||||||||
| December 31, | December 31, | December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||||
| Revenues | ||||||||||||||
| Operating revenue | $ | 24,954,000 | $ | 12,811,000 | $ | 109,462,000 | $ | 47,713,000 | ||||||
| Expenses | ||||||||||||||
| Direct expenses | 20,933,000 | 9,813,000 | 91,628,000 | 35,951,000 | ||||||||||
| Gross margin | 4,021,000 | 2,998,000 | 17,834,000 | 11,762,000 | ||||||||||
| Sales, general and administrative expense | 2,977,000 | 2,429,000 | 12,664,000 | 8,803,000 | ||||||||||
| Operating income from continuing operations | 1,044,000 | 569,000 | 5,170,000 | 2,959,000 | ||||||||||
| Other expense (income) | 69,000 | (3,000 | ) | 105,000 | 14,000 | |||||||||
| Interest expense (income) | 81,000 | (6,000 | ) | 354,000 | 65,000 | |||||||||
| Income from continuing operations, before income tax | 894,000 | 578,000 | 4,711,000 | 2,880,000 | ||||||||||
| Income tax provision | 380,000 | 209,000 | 1,894,000 | 1,067,000 | ||||||||||
| Income from continuing operations | 514,000 | 369,000 | 2,817,000 | 1,813,000 | ||||||||||
| Income from discontinued operations, net of tax of $54,000 and $250,000, respectively | 73,000 | 88,000 | 339,000 | 358,000 | ||||||||||
| Net Income | $ | 587,000 | $ | 457,000 | $ | 3,156,000 | $ | 2,171,000 | ||||||
| Basic income per share | ||||||||||||||
| Income from continuing operations | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.09 | 0.07 | ||||||||||
| Income from discontinued operations | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.01 | 0.01 | ||||||||||
| Net income | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.10 | 0.08 | ||||||||||
| Diluted income per share | ||||||||||||||
| Income from continuing operations | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.09 | 0.07 | ||||||||||
| Income from discontinued operations | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.01 | 0.01 | ||||||||||
| Net income | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.10 | 0.08 | ||||||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding | ||||||||||||||
| Basic weighted average common shares outstanding | 32,035,247 | 26,758,362 | 31,453,765 | 26,690,382 | ||||||||||
| Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding | 32,212,725 | 27,180,814 | 31,757,164 | 27,326,729 | ||||||||||
| Express-1 Expedited Solutions, Inc. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Summary Financial Table | ||||||||||||||||||
For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 |
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| Quarter to Date | Quarter to Quarter Change | Percent of Revenue | ||||||||||||||||
| 2008 | 2007 | In Dollars | In Percentage | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||||||
| Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||
| Express-1 | $ | 10,675,000 | $ | 12,811,000 | $ | (2,136,000 | ) | -16.7 | % | 42.8 | % | 100.0 | % | |||||
| Concert Group Logistics | 11,832,000 | - | 11,832,000 | - | 47.4 | % | - | |||||||||||
| Bounce Logistics | 2,770,000 | - | 2,770,000 | - | 11.1 | % | - | |||||||||||
| Intercompany Eliminations | (323,000 | ) | - | (323,000 | ) | - | -1.3 | % | - | |||||||||
| Total Revenues | 24,954,000 | 12,811,000 | 12,143,000 | 94.8 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | |||||||||
| Direct Expenses | ||||||||||||||||||
| Express-1 | 8,263,000 | 9,813,000 | (1,550,000 | ) | -15.8 | % | 33.1 | % | 76.6 | % | ||||||||
| Concert Group Logistics | 10,735,000 | - | 10,735,000 | - | 43.0 | % | - | |||||||||||
| Bounce Logistics | 2,258,000 | - | 2,258,000 | - | 9.0 | % | - | |||||||||||
| Intercompany Eliminations | (323,000 | ) | - | (323,000 | ) | - | -1.2 | % | - | |||||||||
| Total Direct Expenses | 20,933,000 | 9,813,000 | 11,120,000 | 113.3 | % | 83.9 | % | 76.6 | % | |||||||||
| Gross Margin | ||||||||||||||||||
| Express-1 | 2,412,000 | 2,998,000 | (586,000 | ) | -19.5 | % | 9.7 | % | 23.4 | % | ||||||||
| Concert Group Logistics | 1,097,000 | - | 1,097,000 | - | 4.4 | % | - | |||||||||||
| Bounce Logistics | 512,000 | - | 512,000 | - | 2.0 | % | - | |||||||||||
| Total Gross Margin | 4,021,000 | 2,998,000 | 1,023,000 | 34.1 | % | 16.1 | % | 23.4 | % | |||||||||
| Selling, General & Administrative | ||||||||||||||||||
| Express-1 | 1,728,000 | 1,988,000 | (260,000 | ) | -13.1 | % | 6.9 | % | 15.5 | % | ||||||||
| Concert Group Logistics | 525,000 | - | 525,000 | - | 2.1 | % | - | |||||||||||
| Bounce Logistics | 355,000 | - | 355,000 | - | 1.4 | % | - | |||||||||||
| Corporate | 369,000 | 441,000 | (72,000 | ) | -16.3 | % | 1.5 | % | 3.4 | % | ||||||||
| Total Selling, General & Administrative | 2,977,000 | 2,429,000 | 548,000 | 22.6 | % | 11.9 | % | 19.0 | % | |||||||||
| Operating Income from Continuing Operations | ||||||||||||||||||
| Express-1 | 684,000 | 1,010,000 | (326,000 | ) | -32.3 | % | 2.7 | % | 7.9 | % | ||||||||
| Concert Group Logistics | 572,000 | - | 572,000 | - | 2.3 | % | - | |||||||||||
| Bounce Logistics | 157,000 | - | 157,000 | - | 0.6 | % | - | |||||||||||
| Corporate | (369,000 | ) | (441,000 | ) | 72,000 | 16.3 | % | -1.4 | % | -3.4 | % | |||||||
| Operating Income from Continuing Operations | 1,044,000 | 569,000 | 475,000 | 83.5 | % | 4.2 | % | 4.4 | % | |||||||||
| Interest Expense | 81,000 | (6,000 | ) | 87,000 | -1450.0 | % | 0.3 | % | - | |||||||||
| Other Expense | 69,000 | (3,000 | ) | 72,000 | 2400.0 | % | 0.3 | % | - | |||||||||
Income from Continuing Operations Before Tax |
894,000 | 578,000 | 316,000 | 54.7 | % | 3.6 | % | 4.5 | % | |||||||||
| Tax Provision | 380,000 | 209,000 | 171,000 | 81.8 | % | 1.5 | % | 1.6 | % | |||||||||
| Income from Continuing Operations | 514,000 | 369,000 | 145,000 | 39.3 | % | 2.1 | % | 2.9 | % | |||||||||
| Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax | 73,000 | 88,000 | (15,000 | ) | -17.0 | % | 0.3 | % | 0.7 | % | ||||||||
| Net Income | $ | 587,000 | $ | 457,000 | $ | 130,000 | 28.4 | % | 2.4 | % | 3.6 | % | ||||||
| Express-1 Expedited Solutions, Inc. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Summary Financial Table | ||||||||||||||||||
For the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 |
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| Year to Date | Year to Year Change | Percent of Revenue | ||||||||||||||||
| 2008 | 2007 | In Dollars | In Percentage | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||||||
| Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||
| Express-1 | $ | 52,639,000 | $ | 47,713,000 | $ | 4,926,000 | 10.3 | % | 48.1 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||||
| Concert Group Logistics | 51,136,000 | - | 51,136,000 | - | 46.7 | % | - | |||||||||||
| Bounce Logistics | 7,011,000 | - | 7,011,000 | - | 6.4 | % | - | |||||||||||
| Intercompany Eliminations | (1,324,000 | ) | - | (1,324,000 | ) | - | -1.2 | % | - | |||||||||
| Total Revenues | 109,462,000 | 47,713,000 | 61,749,000 | 129.4 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | |||||||||
| Direct Expenses | ||||||||||||||||||
| Express-1 | 40,408,000 | 35,951,000 | 4,457,000 | 12.4 | % | 36.9 | % | 75.3 | % | |||||||||
| Concert Group Logistics | 46,578,000 | - | 46,578,000 | - | 42.6 | % | - | |||||||||||
| Bounce Logistics | 5,966,000 | - | 5,966,000 | - | 5.5 | % | - | |||||||||||
| Intercompany Eliminations | (1,324,000 | ) | - | (1,324,000 | ) | - | -1.3 | % | - | |||||||||
| Total Direct Expenses | 91,628,000 | 35,951,000 | 55,677,000 | 154.9 | % | 83.7 | % | 75.3 | % | |||||||||
| Gross Margin | ||||||||||||||||||
| Express-1 | 12,231,000 | 11,762,000 | 469,000 | 4.0 | % | 11.2 | % | 24.7 | % | |||||||||
| Concert Group Logistics | 4,558,000 | - | 4,558,000 | - | 4.2 | % | - | |||||||||||
| Bounce Logistics | 1,045,000 | - | 1,045,000 | - | 0.9 | % | - | |||||||||||
| Total Gross Margin | 17,834,000 | 11,762,000 | 6,072,000 | 51.6 | % | 16.3 | % | 24.7 | % | |||||||||
| Selling, General & Administrative | ||||||||||||||||||
| Express-1 | 7,116,000 | 7,236,000 | (120,000 | ) | -1.7 | % | 6.5 | % | 15.2 | % | ||||||||
| Concert Group Logistics | 2,847,000 | - | 2,847,000 | - | 2.6 | % | - | |||||||||||
| Bounce Logistics | 1,079,000 | - | 1,079,000 | - | 1.0 | % | - | |||||||||||
| Corporate | 1,622,000 | 1,567,000 | 55,000 | 3.5 | % | 1.5 | % | 3.2 | % | |||||||||
| Total Selling, General & Administrative | 12,664,000 | 8,803,000 | 3,861,000 | 43.9 | % | 11.6 | % | 18.4 | % | |||||||||
| Operating Income from Continuing Operations | ||||||||||||||||||
| Express-1 | 5,115,000 | 4,526,000 | 589,000 | 13.0 | % | 4.7 | % | 9.5 | % | |||||||||
| Concert Group Logistics | 1,711,000 | - | 1,711,000 | - | 1.6 | % | - | |||||||||||
| Bounce Logistics | (34,000 | ) | - | (34,000 | ) | - | - | - | ||||||||||
| Corporate | (1,622,000 | ) | (1,567,000 | ) | (55,000 | ) | -3.5 | % | -1.6 | % | -3.3 | % | ||||||
| Operating Income from Continuing Operations | 5,170,000 | 2,959,000 | 2,211,000 | 74.7 | % | 4.7 | % | 6.2 | % | |||||||||
| Interest Expense | 354,000 | 65,000 | 289,000 | 444.6 | % | 0.3 | % | 0.1 | % | |||||||||
| Other Expense | 105,000 | 14,000 | 91,000 | 650.0 | % | 0.1 | % | - | ||||||||||
Income from Continuing Operations Before Tax |
4,711,000 | 2,880,000 | 1,831,000 | 63.6 | % | 4.3 | % | 6.0 | % | |||||||||
| Tax Provision | 1,894,000 | 1,067,000 | 827,000 | 77.5 | % | 1.7 | % | 2.2 | % | |||||||||
| Income from Continuing Operations | 2,817,000 | 1,813,000 | 1,004,000 | 55.4 | % | 2.6 | % | 3.8 | % | |||||||||
| Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax | 339,000 | 358,000 | (19,000 | ) | -5.3 | % | 0.3 | % | 0.8 | % | ||||||||
| Net Income | $ | 3,156,000 | $ | 2,171,000 | $ | 985,000 | 45.4 | % | 2.9 | % | 4.6 | % | ||||||
