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Ford eNews - Oct. 24, 2012

PRT Growing Services Ltd. Reports Results for the First Nine-Months of 2012


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November 08, 2012 15:06 ET

PRT Growing Services Ltd. Reports Results for the First Nine-Months of 2012

VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Nov. 8, 2012) - PRT Growing Services Ltd. (TSX:PRT), today released its financial results for the nine- and three-months ended September 30, 2012. Forest seedlings generally take from six months to a year or more to grow, with most being grown and harvested within the calendar year. PRT's quarterly results generally reflect only a portion of the revenue that accrues over the full crop cycle, and, accordingly, the results are best considered in an annual context. Excerpts from the Company's financial report are included as part of this release.

On November 2, 2012 the Company announced that it had agreed to an acquisition proposal from Mill Road Capital L.P. which, subject to shareholder approval and other conditions precedent, is expected to close in mid-December, 2012.

Highlights

(For the nine-months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to September 30, 2011)

  • Revenue decreased 3.5% to $23.1 million compared to $23.9 million, due to a reduction of lower margin orders from a specialty seedling customer, as well as some timing of revenue recognition. For the 2012 contract year, volumes and prices in PRT's core forestry business have increased slightly.
  • Cost of production decreased less than revenue and consequently the gross profit margin declined to 27.3% from 27.9% as the decrease in low-margin products was offset by increases in labour costs.
  • As a result of the lower revenue recognized, lower margins and the strategic review undertaken by the Board, Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) decreased to $2.9 million from $3.4 million in the first three-quarters of 2011.
  • PRT's balance sheet is strong with $11.9 million in working capital including over $9.4 million in cash and no net debt.

PRT reported EBITDA of $2,901,000 and total comprehensive income of $477,000 ($0.05 per share) for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, compared with $3,378,000 and income of $605,000 ($0.06 per share), respectively for the first three-quarters of 2011. The slightly lower results reflect timing of revenue recognition, increased labour costs and spending on a review of strategic alternatives for the Company.

Forestry seedling markets in western North America are continuing to benefit from growth of wood product exports to China in 2011 and stabilization of the US housing market, but the effect this year on our business has not fully offset the loss of seedling volumes from certain new regional markets in 2012.

Earnings were affected by higher Selling General and Administration (SG&A) spending in the period relative to the same period last year. SG&A increased due to one time costs associated with a review of strategic alternatives as well as increased spending on business development initiatives to enhance product and market diversification. As markets continue to recover we expect to achieve scale economies and operating leverage with increased volumes, and margin improvement with nursery cost containment, and continuous improvement efforts.

Working capital and cash from operations improved in the first three-quarters, and the Company had no net debt at the end of the period.

For the three months ended September 30, 2012, the Company reported EBITDA of negative $481,000 and total comprehensive loss of $1,032,000 ($0.13 per share). Aggregate results were in line with management's expectations given the highly seasonal nature of PRT's business. The third quarter is typically the slowest quarter in the Company's annual cycle.

President and CEO Rob Miller observed, "The improvement in core forest seedling order volumes we experienced in 2011 has been sustained into 2012. While total market seedling demand remains significantly below historical levels, with the improvements we have made to our business over the past three years to adapt to the downturn we are now able to generate improved returns on lower volumes. Our key focuses continue to be highly reliable contract delivery, superior customer service, and product innovations to meet changing customer needs. At the same time we are carefully managing capacity and costs, and emphasizing continuous improvement throughout our organization. We are also exploring expansion of our core business into new geographic regions and new product lines. These operating strategies position us well for the market conditions we expect in 2012 and beyond."

"Going forward, we will continue to focus on improving our operations, developing new markets, and managing our balance sheet for sustainability."

Management's discussion and analysis for PRT and the information circular are available at [ www.sedar.com ].

About PRT Growing Services Ltd.

PRT Growing Services Ltd. (the Company) is the largest producer of container-grown forest seedlings in North America, operating 13 nursery locations that are expected to produce more than 160 million seedlings in 2012. The Company was formed on October 1, 2011 from the conversion of PRT Forest Regeneration Income Fund to a corporate structure. Shares of the Corporation are listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol PRT.

Conference Call and Taped Replay **Please note revised time**

The Company will host a conference call to further discuss the matters contained in this press release. The call will take place on Thursday, November 8, 2012, at 1:00 PM PST, 4:00 PM EST. To participate in this conference call, please call 1-877-407-8035 or 201-689-8035.

Persons unable to participate in the conference call may listen to a recorded version by dialing 1-877-660- 6853, account #286, conference ID# 400829. This option is available through November 15, 2012. A recorded webcast of the call may also be accessed from the Corporation's website, at [ www.prt.com ].

The Company's next earnings conference call is expected to take place on Thursday, November 8, 2012, after the release of the Corporation's third-quarter 2012 earnings information.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, expectations for order volumes, pricing, margins, operating costs and other expenditures; plans and opportunities for housing markets and for new market development; statements relating to the acquisition of PRT and other statements contained in this discussion that are not historical fact. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, agricultural risks and crop yield; future commodity prices; exchange rate risks; customer credit risks and customer insolvency; liquidity risk; the outlook for the forest industry; the impact of corporate conversion on reported earnings and taxation; and other risks identified from time to time in the Corporation's annual report and information return, prospectus, and other filing documents that are available in electronic form at [ www.sedar.com ]or by contacting the Corporation directly.

Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, and the Corporation assumes no obligation to update such information to reflect later events or developments, except as required by law.

Excerpts from PRT's Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements (unaudited):

Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Financial Position (unaudited)
(in thousands of dollars)
As at September 30,As at December 31,
Note2012 2011
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents$9,358$2,386
Accounts receivable42,0717,811
Inventories57501,275
Agricultural produce78884
Biological assets, current7265470
Prepaid expenses and deposits287125
Unbilled revenue63,4502,621
Property, plant and equipment held for sale8266150
16,53514,922
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment834,09434,917
Intangible assets9196225
Investment in associate312399
Biological assets, non-current7207198
34,80935,739
$51,344$50,661
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities$1,229$3,115
Unearned revenue63,125980
Current portion of finance lease118986
Current portion of long-term debt12264248
4,7074,429
Non-current liabilities
Finance lease11149200
Long-term debt129791,178
Deferred tax liabilities132,3522,229
8,1878,036
Shareholders' Equity
Share capital1431,22431,224
Retained earnings11,45210,950
Stock option grants14455400
Accumulated other comprehensive income2651
43,15742,625
$51,344$50,661
See accompanying notes to these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(unaudited)
(in thousands of dollars, except per share or unit amounts)
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
Note2012201120122011
Revenue$5,227$5,701$23,123$23,955
Expenses
Costs of production4,5974,60516,80617,282
Selling, general and administration1,2441,3163,8243,660
Amortization of property, plant and equipment85745951,6971,779
Amortization of intangibles810102929
Gain on foreign exchange(4)(267)(18)(216)
Earnings before the following(1,194)(558)7851,421
Finance costs373310591
Equity in earnings of investee(7)(18)(39)(13)
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment2616292283
Profit (loss) before income taxes(1,250)(735)6271,060
Provision for income tax (expense) recovery13233(223)(125)(375)
Profit (loss) for the period(1,017)(958)502685
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations(16)(165)(26)(107)
Tax recovery on other comprehensive income172127
Total other comprehensive income (loss)(15)(93)(25)(80)
Total comprehensive income (loss)$(1,032)$(1,051)$477$605
Basic and diluted income (loss) per share (2011: per trust unit)15$(0.11)$(0.11)$0.05$0.06
Weighted average number of shares (2011: units) outstanding9,757,6319,757,6319,757,6319,757,534
See accompanying notes to these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Changes in Equity (unaudited)
(in thousands of dollars)
AOCI1
ShareOptionTranslationRetained
NoteCapitalGrantsReserveEarningsTotal
Balance at December 31, 2011$31,224$400$51$10,950$42,625
Share-based compensation expense-55--55
Profit for the period---502502
Translation of foreign operations--(25)-(25)
Balance at September 30, 2012$31,224$455$26$11,452$43,157
1Accumulated other comprehensive income
See accompanying notes to these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
(in thousands of dollars)
Nine months ended September 30,
Note20122011
Cash flows from operating activities
Profit for the period$502$685
Items not affecting cash
Amortization of property, plant and equipment
(excluding seedling containers)81,6971,779
Seedling container amortization included in costs of production8443419
Amortization of intangibles82929
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment92283
Equity in earnings of investee(39)(13)
Unrealized gain on foreign exchange(18)(188)
Unrealized loss on forward contract-40
Provision for future income taxes125375
Share based compensation expense1455185
2,8863,594
Net change in non-cash working capital balances165,7323,066
8,6186,660
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayment of long-term debt(183)(127)
Repayment of finance lease(48)(40)
Issuance of shares (2011 trust units)-6
(231)(161)
Cash flows from investing activities
Repayment of loans by investee3-
Government grants received for purchase
of property, plant and equipment88128
Dividend from investee123-
Purchase of non-current biological assets(17)(10)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment(1,502)(2,007)
Cost to dispose of property, plant and equipment(48)(68)
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment1819
(1,415)(1,938)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents6,9724,561
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period2,38692
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period$9,358$4,653
See accompanying notes to these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.



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