Location

MONCTON, NB, June 5, 2013 /CNW/ – Major Drilling Group International Inc. (TSX: MDI) today reported results for the year and fourth quarter ended April 30, 2013.


Highlights


























































 
In millions of Canadian dollars
(except earnings per share)
Q4-13Q4-12Fiscal
2013
Fiscal
2012
Revenue$135.5$237.2$695.9$797.4
Gross profit43.178.5220.3251.1
 As percentage of revenue31.8%33.1%31.7%31.5%
EBITDA(1)23.557.0142.8174.4
 As percentage of revenue17.3%24.0%20.5%21.9%
Net earnings2.230.752.189.7
Earnings per share – Basic$0.03$0.39$0.66$1.18
(1)Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, excluding restructuring charges, goodwill and intangible impairment and gain on reversal of contingent consideration (see “non-GAAP financial measures”)




  • Excluding restructuring charges, impairment charges and gain on reversal of contingent consideration, earnings before taxes for the quarter were $10.1 million.


  • Major Drilling posted quarterly revenue of $135.5 million, down 43% from the $237.2 million record for the same quarter last year.


  • Gross margin percentage for the quarter was 31.8%, compared to 33.1% for the corresponding period last year.


  • The Company posted a restructuring charge of $5.4 million accounting for retrenchment costs, scale down of operations, and write down of assets, and also posted a goodwill and intangible impairment charge of $3.3 million during the quarter, offset by a gain on reversal of contingent consideration of $2.0 million.  Combined, these charges represent a negative impact to fourth quarter 2013 earnings before taxes of $6.8 million.


  • Net earnings (including restructuring and impairment charge) were $2.2 million or $0.03 per share for the quarter, compared to earnings of $30.7 million or 0.39 per share for the prior year quarter.


  • Our total net cash position (net of debt) improved by $8.6 million in the quarter to $38.7 million.  For the year, the Company improved its net cash position by $52 million as compared to last year.


“In February, due to the uncertainty around economic matters impacting the mining market, some customers delayed or cancelled their exploration drilling plans.  In a number of jurisdictions, uncertainty as to the policies of host governments or issues of land tenure also had an impact on this quarter’s results.  These factors, combined with the fact that sources of funding for junior mining companies remain limited, have led to significantly decreased activity in certain regions.  As a result, fourth quarter revenue was significantly impacted as compared to the record revenue that the Company realized in the same period last year.  Lower levels of demand have significantly increased competitive pressures and will likely continue to have an impact for the rest of calendar 2013.  Despite lower pricing levels, we maintained good margin performance thanks to the improved productivity of our crews, and despite current conditions, we are pleased that Major Drilling was able to improve its net cash position by $8.6 million as well as show a profit before tax of $10.1 million for the quarter, excluding restructuring charges, impairment charges and gain on reversal of contingent consideration,” said Francis McGuire, President and CEO of Major Drilling.


“In light of the slowdown in activity, we have undertaken a review and restructuring of certain operations. During the quarter, we implemented reductions of salaried employees as we target a reduction of 20% in our general and administrative costs from our peak level incurred in the first quarter of this year. As part of this, we decided to significantly scale down our Tanzanian operation and our U.S. environmental division.  The costs relating to these initiatives have been recorded as part of the $5.4 million restructuring charge.  Due to the continuing governmental budgetary constraints in the U.S. affecting its environmental division, we also recorded a goodwill and intangible impairment charge of $3.3 million, but also recorded a gain from reversal of contingent consideration of $2.0 million, related to the acquisition costs of the environmental business, which will no longer be paid.  Finally, as part of these actions, senior management’s salaries and directors’ fees are being reduced.”


“The Company continues to have a variable cost structure whereby most of its direct costs, including field staff, go up or down with contract revenue and a large part of the Company’s other expenses relates to variable incentive compensation based on the Company’s profitability. Despite the difficult environment, we expect operations to generate positive cash flow in fiscal 2014. The Company will continue to focus on cash management by limiting capital expenditures, by reducing inventory and by closely monitoring costs.”


“At the same time, the Company’s financial strength allows it to continue to invest in safety, to maintain its equipment in excellent condition, and to retain skilled employees, all of which are essential to react quickly when the industry recovers.  The Company remains in an excellent financial position, remaining debt-free, net of cash, during the quarter.  Total cash level, net of long-term debt, stood at $38.7 million at quarter-end.  Capital expenditures for the quarter were $9.5 million as we purchased 14 rigs, while retiring 39 rigs through our modernization program.  At this point, we anticipate continuing to invest at this pace as we see opportunities to expand our capacity in specialized drilling and to expand in other parts of the world, such as Brazil.  This will also allow us to continue our strategy of maintaining a sustainable dividend policy.”


“The current economic environment will continue to significantly impact drilling in the short to medium-term, particularly on gold projects where the Company has a significant presence, and the Company is experiencing further delays and cancellations as compared to the quarter just completed.  Also, lower levels of demand have increased competitive pressures, which may impact pricing going forward.  The impact of lower pricing should be partially offset by the increased productivity of our experienced drilling crews.”


“Over time, we expect many of the supply issues that face most commodities to come back into focus and that even with moderate growth in the world economy, the need to explore and develop mines will increase.  We believe that the need to develop resources in areas that are increasingly difficult to access will continue to increase over time, which should increase demand for specialized drilling,” said Mr. McGuire.


Fourth quarter ended April 30, 2013


Total revenue for the quarter was $135.5 million, down 43% from the $237.2 million record in the same quarter last year. Due to the uncertainty around economic matters impacting the mining market, some customers delayed or cancelled their exploration drilling plans, which impacted the quarter’s results compared to last year.  In a number of jurisdictions, uncertainty as to the policies of host governments or issues of land tenure also had an impact on quarter results.  Also, many junior customers have scaled back or suspended drilling activities as compared to last year.


Revenue for the quarter from Canada-U.S. drilling operations decreased by 42% to $61.8 million compared to the same period last year.  Both countries were affected by delays and the cancellation of projects.


South and Central American revenue was down 41% to $43.5 million for the quarter, compared to the prior year quarter. All of the countries in this region, particularly Mexico, Chile and Argentina, were affected by a reduction in work by juniors and the cancellation or reduction of projects.


Australian, Asian and African operations reported revenue of $30.2 million, down 47% from the same period last year.  Australia, where projects have been cancelled due to high costs being incurred by mining companies and new mining taxes, was impacted the most.  The Company also saw decreases in other regions including Mongolia, which is affected by political uncertainty.


The overall gross margin percentage for the quarter was 31.8% compared to 33.1% for the same period last year.  Reduced pricing due to increased competitive pressures and delays impacted margins, however the Company has been able to recapture some of this loss through productivity gains and cost cutting.


General and administrative costs were $15.3 million for the quarter compared to $16.0 million in the same period last year.  With the decrease in activity, the Company has reduced its general and administrative costs, in part related to the integration of the Bradley operations.  At the same time, the Company is opening new branches in Brazil and Calgary.  During the quarter, the Company implemented reductions of salaried employees and restructured certain branches as it targets a reduction of 20% in general and administrative costs from the peak levels incurred in the first quarter of this year.


Other expenses for the quarter were $0.4 million, down from the $4.0 million reported in the prior year quarter.  This quarter’s amount consists of incentive compensation expenses and bad debt provisions, offset by a gain on reversal of contingent consideration of $2.0 million, whereas other expenses for the same quarter last year were mainly composed of incentive compensation expenses given the Company’s profitability in that quarter.


The Company recorded a restructuring charge of $5.4 million consisting primarily of scale down costs of its U.S. environmental division and its Tanzanian operations, as well as retrenchment costs following staff reduction initiatives implemented during the quarter across the Company.


Due to the continuing governmental budgetary constraints in the U.S. affecting its environmental division, the Company recorded a goodwill and intangible impairment charge of $3.3 million.


Non-GAAP Financial Measures


In this news release, the Company uses the following non-GAAP financial measures: EBITDA and EBITDA as a percentage of revenue. The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to both management and investors in measuring the financial performance of the Company. These measures do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and therefore they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other publicly traded companies, and should not be construed as an alternative to other financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP.


Forward-Looking Statements


Some of the statements contained in this press release may be forward-looking statements, such as, but not limited to, those relating to worldwide demand for gold and base metals and overall commodity prices, the level of activity in the minerals and metals industry and the demand for the Company’s services, the Canadian and international economic environments, the Company’s ability to attract and retain customers and to manage its assets and operating costs, sources of funding for its clients, particularly for junior mining companies, competitive pressures, currency movements, which can affect the Company’s revenue in Canadian dollars, the geographic distribution of the Company’s operations, the impact of operational changes, changes in jurisdictions in which the Company operates (including changes in regulation), failure by counterparties to fulfill contractual obligations, and other factors as may be set forth, as well as objectives or goals, and including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition to exist or occur. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements by reason of factors such as, but not limited to, the factors set out in the discussion on pages 16 to 18 of the 2012 Annual Report entitled “General Risks and Uncertainties”, and such other documents as available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. All such factors should be considered carefully when making decisions with respect to the Company. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, including those statements that are incorporated by reference herein, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on its behalf, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.


Based in Moncton, New Brunswick, Major Drilling Group International Inc. is one of the world’s largest metals and minerals contract drilling service companies. To support its customers’ mining operations, mineral exploration and environmental activities, Major Drilling maintains operations on every continent.


Financial statements are attached.


Major Drilling will provide a simultaneous webcast of its quarterly conference call on Thursday, June 6, 2013 at 9:00 AM (EDT).  To access the webcast please go to the investors/webcast section of Major Drilling’s website at www.majordrilling.com and click the attached link, or go directly to the CNW Group website at www.newswire.ca  for directions.  Participants will require Windows MediaPlayer, which can be downloaded prior to accessing the call.  Please note that this is listen-only mode.























































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Major Drilling Group International Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share information)
 
   
  Three months ended Twelve months ended
  April 30 April 30
  (unaudited)  
             
   2013  2012  2013  2012
             
             
TOTAL REVENUE $135,537 $237,238 $ 695,928 $797,432
             
DIRECT COSTS  92,450  158,786  475,589  546,306
             
GROSS PROFIT  43,087  78,452  220,339  251,126
             
OPERATING EXPENSES            
 General and administrative  15,318  16,024  63,827  57,980
 Other expenses  411  4,019  10,585  16,055
 Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment  1,232  54  2,452  1,370
 Foreign exchange loss (gain)  699  1,338  (1,311)  1,319
 Finance costs  346  707  2,316  3,367
 Depreciation of property, plant and equipment  12,575  11,587  49,997  39,975
 Amortization of intangible assets  412  1,054  2,840  2,629
 Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets  3,324    3,324  
 Restructuring charge  5,440    5,440  
   39,757  34,783  139,470  122,695
             
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAX  3,330  43,669  80,869  128,431
             
INCOME TAX – PROVISION (RECOVERY)            
 Current  3,590  11,215  32,077  24,592
 Deferred  (2,434)  1,723  (3,318)  14,090
   1,156  12,938  28,759  38,682
             
NET EARNINGS $2,174 $30,731 $52,110 $89,749
             
             
EARNINGS PER SHARE             
Basic $0.03 $0.39 $0.66 $1.18
Diluted $0.03 $0.38 $0.65 $1.16

 












































































































































































Major Drilling Group International Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings 
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)
 
   
  Three months ended Twelve months ended
  April 30 April 30
  (unaudited)  
             
  2013 2012 2013 2012
             
NET EARNINGS  $2,174 $30,731 $52,110 $89,749
             
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS             
 Unrealized gains (losses) on foreign currency translations (net of tax)  4,362  (7,989)  11,803  1,871
 Unrealized gain (loss) on interest swap (net of tax)  47  240  (81)  121
             
COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS  $6,583 $22,982 $63,832 $91,741



















































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Major Drilling Group International Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
For the twelve months ended April 30, 2012 and 2013
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)
 
             

 Share capital Reserves Share-based
payments reserve
 Retained
earnings
 Foreign currency
translation reserve
 Total
                 
BALANCE AS AT MAY 1, 2011 $150,642 $ $10,280 $170,425 $(3,662) $327,685
                 
 Exercise of stock options  2,932    (909)    2,023
 Share issue (net of issue costs)  77,189        77,189
 Share-based payments reserve      2,426    2,426
 Dividends       (13,365)   (13,365)
   230,763    11,797 157,060  (3,662) 395,958
Comprehensive earnings:                
 Net earnings       89,749   89,749
 
Unrealized gains on foreign currency translations         1,871  1,871
 Unrealized gain on interest swap    121      121
Total comprehensive earnings     121   89,749  1,871 91,741
                 
BALANCE AS AT APRIL 30, 2012 $230,763 $121 $11,797 $246,809 $(1,791) $487,699
                 
                 
BALANCE AS AT MAY 1, 2012 $230,763 $121 $11,797 $246,809 $(1,791) $487,699
                 
 Exercise of stock options  222    (114)    108
 Share-based payments reserve      2,521    2,521
 Dividends       (15,831)   (15,831)
   230,985  121  14,204 230,978  (1,791) 474,497
Comprehensive earnings:                
 Net earnings       52,110   52,110
 
Unrealized gains on foreign currency translations         11,803 11,803
 Unrealized loss on interest swap    (81)      (81)
Total comprehensive earnings     (81)   52,110  11,803 63,832
                 
BALANCE AS AT APRIL 30, 2013 $230,985 $40 $14,204 $283,088 $10,012 $538,329

 











































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Major Drilling Group International Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)
 
     
  Three months ended Twelve months ended
  April 30 April 30
  (unaudited)   
             
   2013  2012  2013  2012
             
OPERATING ACTIVITIES            
Earnings before income tax $3,330 $43,669 $80,869 $128,431
Operating items not involving cash            
 Depreciation and amortization   12,987  12,641  52,837  42,604
 Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment  1,232  54  2,452  1,370
 Share-based payments reserve  444  660  2,521  2,426
 Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets  3,324    3,324  
 Restructuring charge  1,425    1,425  
Finance costs recognized in earnings before income tax  346  707  2,316  3,367
   23,088  57,731  145,744  178,198
Changes in non-cash operating working capital items   5,305  (28,158)  30,456  (32,787)
Finance costs paid  (345)  (708)  (2,306)  (3,432)
Income taxes paid  (11,081)  (11,262)  (36,962)  (27,502)
Cash flow from operating activities  16,967  17,603  136,932  114,477
             
FINANCING ACTIVITIES            
Repayment of long-term debt  (1,716)  (1,573)  (9,296)  (17,390)
Proceeds from long-term debt        25,000
Repayment of short-term debt    (7,847)    (12,988)
Issuance of common shares  108  1,073  108  79,212
Dividends paid      (15,038)  (11,525)
Cash flow (used in) from financing activities  (1,608)  (8,347)  (24,226)  62,309
             
INVESTING ACTIVITIES            
Business acquisitions (net of cash acquired)     (1,825)  (1,698)  (76,304)
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment (net of direct financing)  (9,487)  (21,097)  (69,005)  (81,129)
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment  884  517  3,409  2,228
Cash flow used in investing activities  (8,603)  (22,405)  (67,294)  (155,205)
             
Effect of exchange rate changes  72  269  (338)  (559)
             
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH  6,828  (12,880)  45,074  21,022
             
CASH, BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD  75,483  50,117  37,237  16,215
             
CASH, END OF THE PERIOD $82,311 $37,237 $82,311 $37,237

 

























































































































































































































































































































































































































Major Drilling Group International Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
As at April 30, 2013 and 2012
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)
       
       
   2013  2012
ASSETS      
       
CURRENT ASSETS      
 Cash $82,311 $37,237
 Trade and other receivables  98,079  159,770
 Income tax receivable  10,013  3,314
 Inventories  88,118  95,905
 Prepaid expenses  6,119  7,476
   284,640  303,702
       
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT  339,971  318,171
       
DEFERRED INCOME TAX ASSETS  5,601  2,859
       
GOODWILL  52,736  54,946
       
INTANGIBLE ASSETS  3,279  6,295
       
  $686,227 $685,973
       
       
LIABILITIES      
       
CURRENT LIABILITIES      
 Trade and other payables $73,315 $115,805
 Income tax payable  5,020  3,142
 Current portion of long-term debt  9,097  8,712
   87,432  127,659
       
CONTINGENT CONSIDERATION  231  2,760
       
LONG-TERM DEBT  34,497  42,274
       
DEFERRED INCOME TAX LIABILITIES  25,738  25,581
   147,898  198,274
       
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
 Share capital   230,985  230,763
 Reserves  40  121
 Share-based payments reserve  14,204  11,797
 Retained earnings   283,088  246,809
 Foreign currency translation reserve  10,012  (1,791)
   538,329  487,699
       
  $686,227 $685,973

 


MAJOR DRILLING GROUP INTERNATIONAL INC.
SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
FOR THE THREE AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2013 AND 2012
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)



SEGMENTED INFORMATION


The Company’s operations are divided into three geographic segments corresponding to its management structure, Canada – U.S., South and Central America, and Australia, Asia and Africa. The services provided in each of the reportable segments are essentially the same. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 4 presented in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended April 30, 2013. Management evaluates performance based on earnings from operations in these three geographic segments before finance costs and income tax.  Data relating to each of the Company’s reportable segments is presented as follows:





























































































































































































































































































































































































































  Three months ended Twelve months ended
  April 30 April 30
  (unaudited)  
             
   2013  2012  2013  2012
Revenue            
 Canada – U.S. $61,827 $106,653 $317,091 $322,047
 South and Central America  43,489  73,311  203,233  251,833
 Australia, Asia and Africa  30,221  57,274  175,604  223,552
  $135,537 $237,238 $695,928 $797,432
             
Earnings from operations            
 Canada – U.S. $2,874 $23,375 $47,020 $57,629
 South and Central America  7,629  19,061  36,114  55,790
 Australia, Asia and Africa  (5,112)  6,553  12,945  36,365
   5,391  48,989  96,079  149,784
Eliminations  (13)  (235)  (987)  (939)
   5,378  48,754  95,092  148,845
Finance costs  346  707  2,316  3,367
General corporate expenses *  1,702  4,378  11,907  17,047
Income tax  1,156  12,938  28,759  38,682
Net earnings $2,174 $30,731 $52,110 $89,749
             
*General corporate expenses include expenses for corporate offices, stock options and certain un-allocated costs
             
Depreciation and amortization            
 Canada – U.S. $5,849 $5,448 $22,713 $17,813
 South and Central America  2,928  2,406  11,493  9,877
 Australia, Asia and Africa  4,003  3,428  15,522  11,672
 Unallocated and corporate assets  207  1,359  3,109  3,242
  $12,987 $12,641 $52,837 $42,604

 


 


SOURCE: MAJOR DRILLING GROUP INTERNATIONAL INC.

For further information:

Denis Larocque, Chief Financial Officer
Tel: (506) 857-8636
Fax: (506) 857-9211
[email protected]

SHARE THIS POST?

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Telegram
Email

Maza Drilling is a Mexican company established in 2007 in Mazatlán, Sinaloa. Our Canadian founder, Mr. Guy de Launiere, has over 20 years of international experience managing diverse drilling operations. Maza Drilling strives to compete at the highest levels in terms of recovery, effectiveness, efficiency, and affordability at every project while keeping at the forefront of technology to meet our customer’s needs in this demanding market.