Uni-Select reports its third quarter results with solid sales growth by Canadian Automotive Group

• Sales of $395.8 million, up 24.3%; organic growth ⁽¹⁾ of 7.7% in Canada;
• Gross margin of $128.5 million, up 31.4% due to The Parts Alliance acquisition;
• EBITDA ⁽¹⁾ of $32.2 million. Adjusted EBITDA ⁽¹⁾ of $33.9 million, up 10.0% from $30.8 million last year;
• EPS and adjusted EPS of $0.26 and $0.36 respectively compared to $0.41 last year;
• Closed the acquisition of The Parts Alliance ⁽²⁾ in the UK providing a third growth platform; and
• Two additional acquisitions in the quarter, BBC Superfactors in the UK adding 7 locations, and Dash Distributors in Canada adding 4 locations.

BOUCHERVILLE, QC, Nov. 8, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Uni-Select Inc. (TSX: UNS) today reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017.

"We are very pleased to report our third quarter results which include seven weeks of The Parts Alliance ("TPA") business in the UK acquired in August. TPA results do not represent a full quarter as we are only reporting since its acquisition on August 7, 2017. We are excited by the opportunities ahead. TPA management is driving a number of profitable growth initiatives and has already demonstrated it with their first acquisition in September, adding seven locations to its network. The Canadian business reported another strong quarter, with organic sales growth of 7.7% while improving its EBITDA. FinishMaster US is focusing on initiatives underway to overcome headwinds from the product line changeover, but also from the two hurricanes that impacted important markets, Texas and Florida, during the quarter," said Henry Buckley, President and Chief Executive Officer of Uni-Select. "While consolidated net earnings are below our expectations, the underlying industry fundamentals are positive, and we have both profitable sales growth initiatives and productivity improvement initiatives underway to maximize shareholder value," added Henry Buckley.

For further information about the Corporation's use of the non-IFRS measures identified in this press release, refer to "Non-IFRS financial measures" and "Reconciliation of non-IFRS measures" sections.

THIRD QUARTER RESULTS

Consolidated sales for the third quarter were $395.8 million, a 24.3% increase compared to the same quarter last year, driven by the sales generated from recent business acquisitions, adding sales of $84.0 million or 26.4% of which The Parts Alliance represents $55.7 million or 17.5%. As well, the Canadian Automotive Group delivered a solid performance with an organic growth of 7.7%. The consolidated organic sales of ‑2.3% were affected by FinishMaster's product line changeover and the hurricanes. Without these impacts, the consolidated organic sales would have been 2.1%.

The Corporation generated an EBITDA and EBITDA margin of $32.2 million and 8.1%, respectively. Once adjusted for restructuring and other charges as well as net transaction charges related to The Parts Alliance acquisition, EBITDA was $33.9 million (or 8.6% of sales) for the quarter, compared to $30.8 million (or 9.7% of sales) in 2016, an increase of 10.0%. The adjusted EBITDA margin decrease of 1.1% is mainly explained by the different business model of The Parts Alliance UK. Excluding these operations, the variance is explained by FinishMaster US organic growth and the impact of the hurricanes, resulting in a lower absorption of employee benefits and fixed costs, while being impacted by the revenue mix. These impacts were partially compensated by the Canadian Automotive Group and by lower information technology expenses in relation to the internalization of the servers.

Net earnings and adjusted earnings were respectively $11.2 million and $15.1 million. Adjusted earnings decreased by 12.6% compared to the same quarter last year, and were impacted by additional amortization and finance costs related to recent business acquisitions.

Segmented Results

FinishMaster US recorded sales of $206.5 million, up 2.1% from the same quarter in 2016, supported by the recent business acquisitions representing a growth of $23.8 million or 11.8% and offsetting the negative organic growth. The product line changeover and the hurricanes impacted sales by approximately 7.0%. EBITDA for this segment was $24.4 million, compared to $26.7 million in 2016. The EBITDA margin decrease of 1.4% is the result of lower absorption of fixed costs related to the organic growth and the impact of the hurricanes, as well as a gross margin impacted by recent business acquisitions that have a higher percentage of multi-shop owner customers for which discounts are more significant. The reduction of the performance‑based compensation partially offset these factors. FinishMaster US is working on organic sales growth initiatives coupled with productivity improvement initiatives focused on reducing its cost to serve.

Sales for the Canadian Automotive Group were $133.6 million, compared to $116.3 million in 2016, an increase of 14.8%, a direct result of the organic growth of 7.7% as well as the performance of the recent business acquisitions and the strength of the Canadian dollar. Our sales to the independent parts store customers, our Bumper to Bumper® and FinishMaster® corporate stores sales, reported both a positive organic growth, a result of the concerted efforts and initiatives of the management and sales teams as well as the favorable Canadian economic conditions. The EBITDA margin increase of 1.5% compared to 2016 is mainly related to improved gross margin and improved performance of the paint, body and equipment program. These factors were partially compensated by ongoing investments required in relation to the corporate store initiative. Once the integration of the corporate stores and the implementation of the new point of sales systems will be completed, additional synergies and efficiency are expected.

The Parts Alliance UK recorded sales of $55.7 million and EBITDA of $2.3 million. Sales are slightly seasonal for this segment, notably in relation to vacation and holidays, with August being one of the weakest months of year. This partially explains the EBITDA margin for the quarter coupled with a payroll increase during the summer. This segment is growing through business acquisitions and the opening of greenfield store locations. Its company-owned store model generates a higher gross margin than the other segments while requiring a higher level of employee benefits and operating expenses. The Parts Alliance is in the process of integrating its acquired store operations.

NINE-MONTH PERIOD RESULTS

Consolidated sales for the nine-month period were $1,033.3 million, a 14.0% increase compared to the same period last year, driven by the sales generated from recent business acquisitions, resulting in additional sales of $162.0 million or 17.9%, as well as by the performance of the Canadian Automotive Group that overcame its loss of an independent member and generated positive organic growth. The consolidated organic sales were affected by the product line changeover and the hurricanes in the US. Without these impacts, the consolidated organic growth would have been approximately 1.2%.

The Corporation generated an EBITDA of $84.9 million, while adjusted EBITDA amounted to $89.5 million, representing an increase of 8.8% compared to the same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA margin decrease of 0.4% is mainly attributable to a different business model at The Parts Alliance UK. Once these operations are excluded, the remaining variance is explained by the organic growth of FinishMaster US and the impact of the hurricanes, which were partially compensated by the performance of the Canadian Automotive Group as well as by lower information technology expenses.

Net earnings and adjusted earnings were respectively $35.9 million and $42.7 million compared to $45.6 million last year. Additional amortization and finance costs related to recent business acquisitions explain the decrease in adjusted earnings.

Segmented Results

FinishMaster US recorded sales of $615.7 million, up 7.6% from the same period in 2016, strengthened by the recent business acquisitions representing a growth of $94.7 million or 16.5%. The product line changeover and the hurricanes impacted sales by approximately 7.5%. EBITDA for this segment remained constant at $71.7 million. EBITDA margin decreased by 0.8%, the result of a lower absorption of fixed costs related to the organic growth and the impact of the hurricanes as well as a gross margin impacted by recent business acquisitions having a higher percentage of multi-shop owner customers for which discounting is more significant. FinishMaster US pursued the expansion of its network during the first nine months of 2017, enlarging its footprint and reinforcing its number one position in major markets.

Sales for the Canadian Automotive Group were $361.9 million, compared to $334.2 million in 2016, an increase of 8.3%, driven by the organic growth performance of the segment, the recent business acquisitions and the strength of the Canadian dollar. This segment's organic growth improved quarter after quarter for both our sales to the independent customers and corporate stores sales, which overcome the loss of an independent member at the beginning of the year. The EBITDA margin increase of 0.6%, compared to 2016, is mainly explained by an improved gross margin and an improved performance of the paint, body and equipment program as well as by lower information technology expenses. These factors were partially offset by higher stock-based compensation.

DIVIDENDS

On November 8, 2017, the Uni-Select Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of C$0.0925 per share payable on January 16, 2018 to shareholders of record as at December 31, 2017. This dividend is an eligible dividend for income tax purposes.

CONFERENCE CALL

Uni-Select will host a conference call to discuss its third quarter and nine-month period results for 2017 on November 9, 2017 at 8:00 AM Eastern. To join the conference, dial 1 866 865-3087 (or 1 647 427-7450 for International calls) followed by 6498359.

A recording of the conference call will be available from 11:00 AM Eastern on November 9, 2017 until 11:59 PM Eastern on November 16, 2017. To access the replay, dial 1 855 859-2056 followed by 6498359.

A live webcast of the quarterly results conference call will also be accessible through the "Investors" section of our website at uniselect.com where a replay will also be archived. Listeners should allow ample time to access the webcast and supporting slides.

ABOUT UNI-SELECT

Uni-Select is a leader in the distribution of automotive refinish and industrial paint and related products in North America, as well as a leader in the automotive aftermarket parts business in Canada and in the UK. Uni‑Select is headquartered in Boucherville, Québec, Canada, and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol UNS.

In Canada, Uni-Select supports over 16,000 automotive repair and collision repair shops through a growing national network of more than 1,100 independent customers and corporate stores, many of which operate under the Uni-Select BUMPER TO BUMPER®, AUTO PARTS PLUS® AND FINISHMASTER® store banner programs. It also supports over 3,900 shops and stores through its automotive repair/installer shop banners, as well as through its automotive refinish banners.

In the United States, Uni-Select, through its wholly-owned subsidiary FinishMaster, Inc., operates a national network of automotive refinish corporate stores under the FINISHMASTER banner which services a network of over 30,000 customers annually, of which it is the primary supplier to over 6,000 collision repair centre customers.

In the UK and Ireland, Uni-Select, through its Parts Alliance group of subsidiaries, is a leading distributor of automotive parts supporting over 23,000 customer accounts with a network of close to 200 locations including over 170 corporate stores.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

The information provided in this press release may include some forward-looking information, which could include certain risks and uncertainties, which may cause the final results to be significantly different from those listed or implied within this news release. For additional information with respect to risks and uncertainties, refer to the Annual Report filed by Uni-Select with the Canadian securities commissions. The forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this press release, and Uni-Select does not undertake to publicly update such forward-looking information to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A), condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes for the third quarter and nine-month period of 2017 are available in the "Investors" section on the Corporation's website at uniselect.com as well as on SEDAR at sedar.com. The Corporation's Annual Report may also be found on these websites as well as other information related to Uni-Select, including its Annual Information Form.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-IFRS MEASURES 

The information included in this Press release contains certain financial measures that are inconsistent with IFRS. Non‑IFRS financial measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities.

Organic growth – This measure consists of quantifying the increase in pro forma consolidated sales between two given periods, excluding the impact of acquisitions, sales and disposals of stores, exchange-rate fluctuations and when necessary, the variance in the number of billing days. This measure enables Uni-Select to evaluate the intrinsic trend in the sales generated by its operational base in comparison with the rest of the market. Determining the rate of organic growth, based on findings that Management regards as reasonable, may differ from the actual rate of organic growth.

EBITDA – This measure represents net earnings excluding finance costs, depreciation and amortization and income taxes. This measure is a financial indicator of a corporation's ability to service and incur debt. It should not be considered by an investor as an alternative to sales or net earnings, as an indicator of operating performance or cash flows, or as a measure of liquidity, but as additional information.

Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per share – Management uses adjusted EBITDA, adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per share to assess EBITDA, net earnings and net earnings per share from operating activities, excluding certain adjustments, net of income taxes (for adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per share), which may affect the comparability of the Corporation's financial results. Management considers that these measures are more representative of the Corporation's operational performance and more appropriate in providing additional information. These adjustments include, among other things, net transaction charges as well as amortization of the premium on foreign currency options related to The Parts Alliance acquisition, restructuring and other charges and impairment and transaction charges related to the sale of net assets. The exclusion of these items does not indicate that they are non-recurring.

EBITDA margin and adjusted EBITDA margin – The EBITDA margin is a percentage corresponding to the ratio of the EBITDA to sales. The adjusted EBITDA margin is a percentage corresponding to the ratio of adjusted EBITDA to sales.

The following table presents a reconciliation of organic growth.

The following table presents a reconciliation of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA.

The following table presents a reconciliation of adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per share.

SOURCE Uni-Select Inc.