NV5 Global Inc (NVEE) 2018 Q4 法說會逐字稿

Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for participating in today's conference call to discuss NV5's financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 29, 2018.

Joining us today are Dickerson Wright, Chairman and CEO of NV5; Michael Rama, CFO of NV5; Alex Hockman, President and COO of NV5; and Jenna Carrick, Investor Relations Manager at NV5.

I would now like to turn the call over to Jenna Carrick.

Thank you, operator.

Before we proceed, I would like to remind everyone that this conference call may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements concerning future events and future financial performance.

The company cautions that these statements are qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected by the forward-looking statements contained herein.

All forward-looking statements are based on information available to the company on the date hereof, and the company assumes no obligation to update such statements, except as required by law.

I would like to remind everyone that a webcast replay of this call will also be available via the link provided in today's news release and the Investors section of the company's website.

Any redistribution, retransmission or rebroadcast of this call in any way without the express written consent of NV5 Global, Inc.

is strictly prohibited.

We will begin the call with comments from Dickerson Wright, Chairman and CEO of NV5; and Alex Hockman, President and COO of NV5; before turning the call over to Michael Rama, Chief Financial Officer for a review of the fourth quarter 2018 and full year financial results and outlook for 2019.

We will then open the call for your questions.

Dickerson, please go ahead.

Thank you, Jenna, and thank you to everyone joining us for NV5's Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Conference Call.

We are pleased to announce a very successful 2018 year for NV5.

Our success can and should be measured by specific accomplishments.

We improved in all areas of operations and over our 2017 results.

Michael Rama, our CFO, will provide more detail on our financial accomplishments.

However, as an overview, I would like to say that total revenue increased 25% over full year 2017 to a record $422 million.

Organic revenue growth for the full year was 8%.

EBITDA, or earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization, was $53.1 million for 2018 or 16% of net revenues compared to $40 million or 15% of net revenues for 2017.

Adjusted earnings per share for 2018 was $3.24 compared to $2.93 per share in 2017.

This is noteworthy because share count for 2018 increased to 12.4 million shares compared to 10.9 million shares in 2017.

Cash flow increased 99% to $35 million for 2018 compared to $18 million for 2017.

We are accomplishing these positive results by continued process improvement for our existing business units as well as process improvement for our acquired entities.

We have internal robust cross-selling between all of our offices.

We incentivize and reward our people for their accomplishments in this regard.

We also support company-wide initiatives to improve our performance, fuel our growth and improve our overall results.

For 2019, we have 2 specific initiatives that are fully supported by NV5.

The energy 2021 initiative is a 3-year plan that will capitalize on NV5's core competencies in electrical distribution, gas transmission and the conversion of natural gas to liquefied natural gas, or LNG storage.

The acquisition last year of CHI Engineering Services not only strengthens our competency in this area but leads us to new markets and opportunities.

The other company-wide initiative for 2019 is our focus on energy optimization.

The previous acquisition of Energenz leads us to many opportunities in this area.

Energenz is a leader in subscription-based services in the area of energy efficiency.

We also continue to be very active in acquisitions.

In 2018, we made 4 very successful acquisitions that were strategic in strengthening our existing verticals and also introduced our services to new geographic markets.

At the beginning of 2018, we acquired Butsko Utility Design, which has strengthened our electrical delivery services to our growing utility client base.

We also acquired CSA (M&E) Ltd.

In early 2018.

CSA is a well-regarded, long-tenured entity providing mechanical, electrical, engineering design services in Asia.

CSA deepens our service and business recognition in Hong Kong and has provided senior leadership for our growing Asia presence.

During the latter part of 2018, we acquired CALYX Engineers and Consultants.

This acquisition introduced NV5 to the rapidly growing infrastructure and transportation markets in the Southeastern U.S. In the fourth quarter of 2018, we acquired CHI Engineering Services.

CHI specializes in engineering and EPC services to utilities in their use and storage of natural gas.

The conversion from natural gas to liquefied state, or LNG, has opened many doors for NV5 to expand our energy services platform in this existing, growing market.

I would like to now introduce the President of NV5, Alex Hockman.

He will comment with more specificity on our national operations and projects.

Alex?

Thank you, Dickerson, and good afternoon, everyone.

In addition to the acquisitions you have mentioned, Q4 highlights include key hires that have expanded our technical areas of expertise and geographic coverage.

This is particularly important for our power group, which has a nationwide platform, and we've expanded our production centers in California, Texas, Colorado and Pennsylvania.

We have continued to invest in our collaborative software initiative to promote work sharing and cross-selling and concluded 2018 with almost $11 million in cross-sell services.

This value represents revenue that would have been subcontracted but will not be recognized as net revenue.

The importance of this transition is that on most public sector projects, markups are not permitted on subcontracted services.

Therefore, the cost is a pass-through without associated profit.

Considering the significance of converting pass-through revenue to net revenues, NV5's Chief Synergy Officer committed to doubling the amount of contracted services in 2019.

Cross-selling is not limited to sub-consultants but also includes introducing our wide array of technical services to existing clients.

A Q4 example includes our construction testing group introducing our building safety code consulting division to a prominent California developer that is constructing a landmark project that includes Class-A office space, iconic hotels and other amenities.

As a result of NV5's participation, the developer is able to fast-track the plan, check and code-mandated inspections on one phase of the project.

The result of this collaboration has a potential to reduce the construction schedule by several months and to minimize inspection delays due to our dedicated on-site staff.

Other key wins that demonstrate our value-added and trusted advisory services include our power delivery group winning $6 million contract amendment for providing fire-hardening services to a Southern California utility.

This amendment brings our total fire-hardening contracts to $28 million over the past 2 years.

The services provided under this contract are designed to protect the public by reducing the fire threat associated with power transmission lines and is a testament to our delivering solutions, improving lives mission statement.

Our power delivery group was also awarded a $25 million contract to provide engineering, design and surveying services for natural gas transmission, distribution and pipeline integrity services.

Due to NV5's diverse range of services, we're able to provide these offerings in-house, which allows us to have tighter controls on quality and ensure timely delivery.

Our building and technology program management group was awarded over $15 million in large contracts, including a Colorado school board contract in excess of $5 million, in addition to other contracts in the hospitality and health care markets.

While the new casino market is still flat, NV5 was awarded a contract for MEP and fire protection services in excess of $1.8 million for a casino resort expansion project.

NV5's infrastructure vertical continues to grow organically with large contract awards in our East and West regions, and we are expanding our geographical coverage, leveraging our urban engineering and design expertise.

Some notable wins include a $5.7 million project for our silver program management team in California for an HOV lane and bridge replacement, a $2.2 million amendment for a contract for a major state road interchange and a contract valued over $900,000 for a reverse osmosis water treatment plant.

Our international team, with offices in Asia and the United Emirates, continues to win impressive projects including an appointment on a feasibility study for the Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway; a contract for the Duty Free shops mall in the Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong, which is a continuing service line that we have provided for that airport internationally.

NV5 was also awarded the Sands Macao mainland chiller replacement project, which is a very challenging major plant replacement project that requires operations maintaining 100% around-the-clock.

And in the UAE, we were awarded a contract for a 2,500-pupil school, which will be the United Arab Emirates' most advanced campus, utilizing the world's leading AV teaching technology.

I would now like to turn the call over to our Chief Financial Officer, Michael Rama, for a more detailed overview of the financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 29, 2018, and financial guidance for 2019.

Michael?

Thank you, Alex, and good afternoon, everyone.

First, I will review the results for the company's fourth quarter and full year 2018 and then I will provide an outlook for 2019.

Gross revenues in the fourth quarter of 2018 were $115.3 million, a 23% increase compared to gross revenues of $93.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Net revenues for the fourth quarter of 2018 were $88.5 million, an increase of 21% compared to net revenues of $73.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.

These increases were due to organic growth of 5% as well as the contribution from acquisitions closed during 2017 and 2018.

EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2018 was $15.8 million or 18% of net revenues, an increase of 34% from $11.8 million or 16% of net revenues for the fourth quarter of last year.

Net income in the fourth quarter of 2018 was $7.7 million.

Excluding the impact of the 2017 Tax Reform Act, net income increased 38% from $5.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Net income, including the impact of the 2017 tax reform, was $11.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Fourth quarter 2018 adjusted EPS, that is excluding the impact of amortization of intangible assets was $0.91.

Excluding the impact of the 2017 tax reform, adjusted EPS increased 28% from $0.71 per share in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Adjusted EPS, including the impact of 2017 tax reform, was $1.26 per share in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Fourth quarter 2018 GAAP earnings per share was $0.62.

Excluding the impact of the 2017 tax reform, GAAP earnings per share increased 22% from $0.51 per share in the fourth quarter of 2017.

GAAP EPS, including the impact of 2017 tax reform was $1.06 per share in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Our fourth quarter 2018 adjusted and GAAP earnings per share reflects weighted average shares outstanding of 12.4 million shares for the 3 months ended December 29, 2018, compared to weighted shares outstanding of 10.9 million shares in the fourth quarter of 2017.

The increase in weighted average shares outstanding reflects the issuance of 1.27 million shares of common stock from our secondary offering in August 2018.

Now we'll review the year-to-date results for the full year 2018.

Gross revenues for the full year 2018 were $418.1 million, an increase of 26% when compared to the full year 2017.

Net revenues for full year 2018 were $334.3 million, an increase of 25% from full year 2017.

These increases were due to organic growth of 8% as well as the contribution from acquisitions closed during 2017 and 2018.

EBITDA for the full year 2018 was $53.1 million or 16% of net revenues, an increase of 34% from $39.7 million or 15% of net revenues for the full year 2017.

Net income for the full year 2018 was $26.9 million.

Excluding the impact of 2017 tax reform, net income increased 48% from $18.1 million in 2017.

Net income, including the impact of 2017 tax reform, was $24 million in 2017.

Adjusted earnings per share for the full year 2018 was $3.24.

Excluding the impact of 2017 tax reform, adjusted EPS increased 36% from $2.38 per share for 2017.

Adjusted earnings per share, including the impact of tax reform, was $2.93 per share in 2017.

GAAP earnings per share for the full year 2018 was $2.33 per share.

Excluding the impact of 2017 tax reform, GAAP earnings per share increased 39% from $1.68 per share in 2017.

GAAP earnings per share, including the impact of tax reform, was $2.23 per share in 2017.

Our year-to-date 2018 adjusted and GAAP earnings per share reflects the weighted shares outstanding of 11.5 million shares for the full year 2018 compared to weighted average shares outstanding of 10.8 million shares for the full year 2017.

The increase in weighted average shares outstanding reflects the issuance of 1.27 million shares from our secondary offering in August 2018.

As of December 29, 2018, our cash and cash equivalents was $40.7 million compared to $18.8 million as of December 30, 2017.

Cash flows from operating activities for the full year 2018 were $35 million compared to cash flows of $17.6 million in 2017.

At December 29, 2018, we reported backlog of $390 million, an increase of 32% from $296 million as of December 30, 2017.

Our backlog is an estimate of revenues to be recognized over a rolling 12-month period.

Now moving on to our outlook for 2019.

We are initiating 2019 guidance for revenues and earnings per share.

We expect full year 2019 gross revenues to range from $485 million to $520 million, which represents an increase of 16% to 24% from gross revenues in 2018 of $418 million.

We expect net revenues to range from $385 million to $414 million, which represent an increase of 15% to 24% from 2018 net revenues of $334 million.

We expect full year 2019 adjusted earnings per share to range from $3.51 to $3.93 per share, an increase of 8% to 21%.

We expect full year 2019 GAAP earnings per share to range from $2.44 per share to $2.85 per share.

This guidance excludes any anticipated acquisitions for the remainder of 2019.

This completes our prepared remarks, and now we would like to open the call up to your questions.

(Operator Instructions) Our first question comes from Mr. Jeff Martin with Roth Capital Partners.

Dick, could you fill into -- could you go into -- and also Alex as well, could you go into some of the key hires that you alluded to on the call?

What areas those are in?

And what kind of the primary goals and objectives tied to those key hires may be?

Well, let me start, Jeff.

Let me speak to the key hires, of course, that have come through acquisition because we're really looking to integrate these people and have leadership from them.

So we have specific key technical and manager hires in our Southeast infrastructure division where we really -- and I don't want to name any individual names personally, but we've had 4 key hires that have really strengthened us at our service offering in a geography that we weren't . In our LNG space, which is really expanding our services to our utilities, which is in the EPC work, the founders and principals of CHI, both licensed engineers, have really added depth to us in that regard.

In Florida, we have a special initiative going where we've really strengthened that market with key geotechnical engineering hires, and we look for that.

In Southern California, our electrical distribution came -- the leadership came from that we -- to strengthen that leadership team from acquisitions of Butsko Engineering, which we thought really added strength to us.

And then I alluded to that in my overview comments on Asia.

We are very, very pleased with what's going there, and we're really strengthening in that.

And the acquisition of CSA really has provided not only recognition but leadership -- the key principals there have really helped in solidifying those operations that we've had in Asia.

But I really defer to Alex as far as some hires and we fight attrition and what we've hired nonacquisition related.

So some of the key hires, Jeff, that I had referred to is in Florida.

We do have a manager who's working with a national firm that is now responsible for our Florida operations.

Dick had alluded to, we have now established a geotechnical presence in Central Florida that also strengthens our power delivery geotechnical services.

We have also hired an architect for facilities management in New York City.

And we've also expanded our power delivery group with key hires that allows us to really address power delivery on a -- at a national platform.

As you're likely aware, we initially had our power delivery group primarily focused in Southern California, and now we have truly expanded to power delivery on a nationwide platform.

Okay, great.

And then could you give us a sense of how you're competing on contracts when there are competitive bids now versus maybe a couple of years ago?

You've scaled dramatically.

Just curious if you're finding an easier process there, if you're more competitive than in the past and what your experience has been over the past year.

Well, let me speak initially and then I will also defer to Alex on that.

You've heard me say on many of our conference calls and meetings that we've had, Jeff, and me speaking to investors, we run - we have a very flat organization.

We really strive to keep our key best people in front of the client.

So obviously, as we grow, we now can compete with these leaders in geographies that we were not before.

So we are finding that we're competing very, very strongly now in the Southeast, where we weren't before.

We have strengthened our work and competition in New England and New Jersey and New York and also in the Midwest, places that came to us through an acquisition that we can now put those leaders.

And so that's given us a competitive advantage.

We do not have much really competitive bid on price.

We do have a lot of qualifications based on our bids, our RFQs called -- which are called based on the qualifications of people.

But, not so much on price.

But as far as our footprint and our competitive advantage, I'll let Alex maybe speak a little bit to that.

So in terms of our ability to respond to request for qualifications or SOQ, RFPs, one of the things that has taken place is we have the ability now to basically use our entire U.S. footprint as opposed to the expertise of a particular operation that they had at the time of acquisition.

So specifically, one of the areas I mentioned is our urban engineering group actually won a project in the city of Oakland, not just using the particular skill set of California but really using the entire technical standards that we have and the technical ability that we have company-wide.

The same is happening in power delivery.

The way in which we're marketing a client doesn't have to change.

And we're able to take the entire technical skill set of our power delivery group and present it in a proposal because, as we also mentioned, we have the collaborative software that we've invested in.

So we're able to much more seamlessly use the technical resources that we have in a particular location, and we're not restricted to only using the folks that are actually in the particular area where the work is being performed.

That's helpful.

And then, Mike, wanted to just see if there's any additional clarity you can provide on the accounting side with the material weakness mentioned in the press release?

Yes.

No, thanks, Jeff.

Yes, it was a material weakness related to the internal control deficiencies over initial set-up of projects in our enterprise system and really the adequacy of certain documentation for percentage of completion of contracts.

We've already been proactive in addressing the issues and being able to put out a remediation plan together, starting with our project managers and training -- additional training as well as enhancement of certain of our project management software that we're utilizing.

Okay.

Is there any expected time line for the remediation to be effective?

Yes.

We expect it -- we're working on the remediation, and we're expecting to have it completed during 2019.

At this point, that's where we're at.

And none of our historical financials nor current financials were impacted and the results of thereof.

Our next question comes from Rob Brown with Lake Street Capital Markets.

First on your outlook, the organic growth expectations in your outlook, what are they?

And sort of how is the market looking for organic growth versus you?

Well, I think our outlook is still in the high single digits.

We -- I can't really speak to the market because we do not do construction, and those are very large projects for that.

But on a pure consulting basis, we feel that it is still robust, and our organic growth measured 2 ways, measured, of course, by the growth of each of our offices that we own and then through the acquisitions that we make that we can compare year-over-year.

But we still see high single digits.

I think we reported 8% this year, and I don't think we're going to see much difference than that.

We had 5%, I believe, Mike, in the quarter, didn't we?

Which is surprising for December because December is usually not that high.

So Rob, we're still expecting to see that same high single-digit organic growth for 2019.

Okay, great.

And then in terms of the acquisition pipeline, what areas are you looking at?

Obviously, energy has been a focus recently, but is energy still a focus?

And how does that look for '19 and '20 in terms of the pipeline?

Well, energy, yes, is still a focus.

But just our organic growth in our energy and power systems delivery, servicing and engineering is having organic growth of 24%.

So we still want to encourage that.

We see a tremendous opportunity with LNG and LNG storage in the United States for many of the smaller utilities that are natural gas buyers.

We really see an opportunity there.

However, the overall strategy that we've had, as you know, Rob, and you've been following us a long time, we were building our platform, we're building those 5 pillars.

And now we can be much more strategic and strengthen those.

So look for acquisitions that are more subscription, reoccurring revenue, acquisitions that will enhance the specific platforms that we have, where we have specific things that we're doing in technology, specific things we're doing in energy and efficiency, both domestic and international.

So I would look for higher EBITDA acquisitions that support our existing platforms.

Okay, good.

And then just in terms of gross margin, I think, in the quarter it was down a little bit on a run rate basis.

Is that kind of a new level?

Or should that resume at its historical level going forward?

Very observant.

We certainly like to stay at 50% gross margin.

I think we're at 48.2% in the quarter and a little down from historic.

And I think we're still seeing some of that in the -- and Alex alluded to that in his comments.

There is a flattening of the hospitality and casino market, particularly in Las Vegas.

So we saw some underutilization in that MEP group.

But overall, we see -- a higher growth that you'll see -- hopefully, you'll see a higher growth in gross margin as we look to higher utilization and gross margin businesses in both acquisition and in our core basis.

Thank you.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for participating in today's question-and-answer session.

I would now like to turn the call back over to management -- I'm sorry.

Alexa, ask and see if -- let's give some more time if there's any more questions from anyone.

(Operator Instructions) Keith Rosenbloom with Cruiser.

So I noticed that EBITDA margin on your net revenue was 16%, I think, as you had guided, and I think it was 13% on gross revenues as you had guided and -- for '18, which is great.

And I'm curious about the guide for next year.

It looks like you're projecting your revenue growth, which is pretty extraordinary, at 20%.

And the adjusted EPS, I'm talking about midpoint, is also a little lower at 15%.

And I'm curious as to why there's that disparity.

I would think that you guys would be kicking in operating leverage here.

And if you were growing revenues at such a high rate, you'd also get a greater EPS lift.

Yes.

Very observant, Keith.

And if it was linear and if we could just bolt on those acquisitions then obviously, so scalability, and it's exactly what you're referring to, it would be a higher EBITDA.

But you've heard that we have 2 initiatives that we're funding this year, the 2021 initiative and our energy initiative.

Some of that will be prior resources.

And we're not expecting that to immediately return to 16% EBITDA.

So we've allowed a little cushion.

And so you may see the revenue growth sooner, and then you'll see the EBITDA as we start -- will increase as we start to scale those initiatives.

So the guidance, I think, was ex acquisition.

So you're saying that inclusive of the integration work for the acquisitions that you've just made, that's what's going to cause the, let's call it, the J-curve delay on earnings?

No.

Well, a little bit of that -- both.

We gave guidance without any acquisitions.

So that revenue guidance that we're giving of $485 million to $520 million, we're expecting some of that to come from those 2 initiatives, the 2021 energy initiative and our energy efficiency initiative.

And we're building that.

We're supporting that, corporate.

We're staffing to build that.

So we will see that revenue won't be coming in efficiently as revenue that we've been ongoing doing for our normal core business.

The acquisition revenue and scalability, I think it is a bit conservative.

But I think we'd rather be a little bit conservative and not expect the immediate synergies in the acquisitions to kick in and also see these initiatives kick in without giving it some support.

So I think we're conservative there, but I think that I'd rather be that way as we're growing our business internally.

Our next question comes from Lisa Springer with Singular Research.

You gave a fairly wide guidance range for adjusted EPS in 2019.

I'm wondering what are the differences in assumptions between the high and the low end of the range.

Well, it's the beginning of the year.

So I mean, we don't have the gift of divine prophecy, Lisa.

So we feel that's a good range.

And hopefully, from what we see at this point, we'd rather have a little wider range on both the revenue and the EPS because we're just not even into the -- completing the first quarter of 2019.

So I don't think we would -- we'll get tighter, of course, as we get further along in the year when we don't have as much runway to project.

Okay.

And then you mentioned this recurring revenue as being something you want to build up.

Could you tell me what percent of your revenues right now is considered recurring?

Well, that's a great -- the definition.

I think that we do very much a lot of good work with -- in ALTA surveys and reoccurring businesses and through our Bock & Clark group.

And we also have it through our energy -- our Energenz group, which is reoccurring.

And we're looking for -- through our MEP group, there's a significant amount of reoccurring revenue.

But I would say that whole amount is about 18% of total revenue.

Our next question comes from [Richard Eisenberg].

I just want to know the material weakness in the accounting.

Is that the reason why the -- for the lower -- for the low guidance for 2019?

Like what -- per share, what's the amount per share that's for the material weakness?

It's minuscule.

And if anything, the material weakness, we look at as something positive because in reviewing these contracts, it is the material weakness that Michael speak in more accounting terms of that, but the material weakness really was from our initial contract, how the contract is set up and how is it invoiced.

And what we found is that in many times where we could have accelerations or net fee multiplier out, we -- it was not being recognized.

So if anything, that, what has been pointed out, will strengthen our earnings.

And it was -- it cannot even be -- it's so minuscule, it cannot even be covered in earnings per share.

We can't get down to that because we don't get to that far the decimal point.

No.

But you could -- you should have explained it in your introduction because the market is -- the stock is dropping $7 probably because of that material weakness.

You should have given a better explanation in your opening remarks.

Thank you.

Ladies and gentlemen, I would now like to turn the call back over to management for any closing remarks.

Well, thank you, everyone.

We appreciate your listening to our fourth quarter and attendance and your questions.

And I want to take this time first to thank our investors, thank those that follow us and also thank our employees who are truly in this together with us, our shareholder employees, all of us that know that we want to have a very transparent organization.

We feel very strongly about 2019.

We look forward to speaking to you further as we move further into the year, but we feel we have a very positive outlook for 2019.

And we look forward to more opportunities to speak with you and to work with you as we grow the business in 2019.

Thank you very much.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for participating in today's conference.

This concludes the program.

You may all disconnect, and have a wonderful day.