(TSX: KBL)
Q1 2024 Financial and Operating Highlights
- Consolidated revenue increased 13.3% compared to Q1 2023, with healthcare revenue having increased by 8.4% and hospitality revenue by 21.4%.
- EBITDA increased in the first quarter of 2024 by
$1.3 million to$11.6 million compared to$10.3 million over the comparable 2023 period, an 12.3% increase. - One-time transaction costs of
$1.5 million associated with the syndicated credit facility and the acquisition of Shortridge had negative impact on margin of 1.8%. - EBITDA margin decreased to 14.5% from 14.6% in the comparable period.
- Net earnings in the first quarter of 2024 decreased by
$0.2 million to$1.8 million compared to$2.0 million in the comparative period of 2023, and as a percentage of revenue decreased by 0.5% to 2.3% - For the first quarter of 2024, K-Bro declared dividends of
$0.300 per common share. - Long-term debt at the end of Q1 2024 was
$65.7 million compared to$70.2 million at the end of fiscal 2023. - K-Bro entered into a three-year,
$175 million committed, syndicated revolving credit facility onMarch 26, 2024 . - K-Bro repurchased and cancelled 64,554 shares in Q1 2024 under the normal course issuer bid. To date, a total of 263,616 shares have been repurchased and cancelled.
- Subsequent to the quarter, on
April 30, 2024 , K-Bro acquiredShortridge Ltd. a high-quality hospitality laundry provider based in the North West ofEngland .
Strategic acquisitions of complementary high-quality operators continue to be an important contributor to K-Bro's overall growth profile. Our new upsized
On
Acquisition of Shortridge
On
Shortridge is being acquired for consideration of
The contracts acquired are in the
Acquisition of Buanderie Paranet
On
The Corporation financed the Paranet Acquisition and transaction costs from existing loan facilities.
The purchase price allocated to the net assets acquired, based on their estimated fair values, is as follows:
Cash consideration | $ 11,074 |
Contingent consideration | $ 945 |
Total purchase price | $ 12,019 |
The assets and liabilities recognized as a result of the Paranet Acquisition are as follows:
Net Assets Acquired: | |
Accounts receivable | 1,317 |
Prepaid expenses and deposits | 137 |
Linen in service | 970 |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (2) | (1,552) |
Lease liabilities | (1,176) |
Deferred income taxes | (1,474) |
Property, plant and equipment(1,2) | 6,142 |
Intangible assets | 2,450 |
Net identifiable assets acquired | 6,814 |
5,205 | |
Net assets acquired | $ 12,019 |
1) Includes ROUA from the Canadian Division of | |
2) Includes provision of |
The intangible assets acquired are made up of
Contingent consideration
In the event that a certain EBITDA target was achieved by Paranet for the twelve month period ended
During the first three quarters of 2023, the estimated fair value of the possible payment was classified as contingent consideration. The fair value of the contingent consideration was estimated by considering the probability-adjusted future expected cash flows in regards to Paranet achieving the target that would result in consideration being paid. The impact of discounting these future cash flows was not considered because the impact would be nominal. Given that the EBITDA target was not achieved for the twelve month period ended
Acquisition of Villeray
On
The Corporation financed the Villeray Acquisition and transaction costs from existing loan facilities.
The purchase price allocated to the net assets acquired, based on their estimated fair values, is as follows:
Cash consideration | $ 11,204 |
Contingent consideration | $ 500 |
Total purchase price | $ 11,704 |
The assets and liabilities recognized as a result of the Villeray Acquisition are as follows:
Net Assets Acquired: | |
Accounts receivable | 907 |
Prepaid expenses and deposits | 187 |
Income tax receivable | 69 |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (2) | (807) |
Lease liabilities | (2,706) |
Deferred income taxes | (1,416) |
Property, plant and equipment(1,2) | 7,161 |
Intangible assets | 2,530 |
Net identifiable assets acquired | 5,925 |
5,779 | |
Net assets acquired | $ 11,704 |
1) Includes ROUA from the Canadian Division of |
2) Includes provision of |
The provisional intangible assets acquired are made up of
Contingent consideration
The estimated fair value of payment has been classified as contingent consideration by exercising significant judgment as to whether it should be classified as such, or as renumeration to the former owner, who will be employed subsequent to the close of the transaction. The Corporation has determined by considering all relevant factors included in the agreements as it pertains to employment terms, valuation of the business, and other relevant terms that the additional consideration is most appropriately reflected as contingent consideration.
In the event that a certain EBITDA target is achieved by Villeray for the twelve month period ended
The fair value of the contingent consideration of
Since the estimated future cash flows and probability of achieving the EBITDA target are an unobservable input, the fair value of the contingent consideration is classified as a level 3 fair value measurement.
Acquisition related costs
For the three months ended
Revolving Credit Facility
On
On
The Corporation's incremental borrowing rate under its existing credit facility is determined by the Canadian prime rate plus an applicable margin based on the ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA as defined in the credit agreement.
Capital Investment Plan
For fiscal 2024, the Corporation's planned capital spending is expected to be between
Economic Conditions
Since 2020, due to changing government restrictions to mitigate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain disruption, geopolitical events impacting key inputs such as natural gas, electricity and diesel and inflationary impacts to labour and materials the Corporation has faced varying degrees of financial impact within
The Corporation's Credit Facility is subject to floating interest rates and, therefore, is subject to fluctuations in interest rates which are beyond the Corporation's control. Increases in interest rates, both domestically and internationally, could negatively affect the Corporation's cost of financing its operations and investments.
Uncertainty about judgments, estimates and assumptions made by management during the preparation of the Corporation's consolidated financial statements related to potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical events and rising interest rates on revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and note disclosures could result in a material adjustment to the carrying value of the asset or liability affected.
Financial Results
(thousands, except per share amounts | Canadian |
| 2024 | Canadian |
| 2023 | $ Change | % Change |
Revenue | $ 62,700 | $ 17,527 | $ 80,227 | $ 55,499 | $ 15,284 | $ 70,783 | 9,444 | 13.3 % |
Expenses included in EBITDA | 52,821 | 15,801 | 68,622 | 46,141 | 14,309 | 60,450 | 8,172 | 13.5 % |
EBITDA(1) | 9,879 | 1,726 | 11,605 | 9,358 | 975 | 10,333 | 1,272 | 12.3 % |
EBITDA as a % of revenue | 15.8 % | 9.8 % | 14.5 % | 16.9 % | 6.4 % | 14.6 % | -0.1 % | -0.7 % |
Adjusted EBITDA(1) | 9,879 | 1,726 | 11,605 | 9,358 | 975 | 10,333 | 1,272 | 12.3 % |
Adjusted EBITDA as a % of revenue | 15.8 % | 9.8 % | 14.5 % | 16.9 % | 6.4 % | 14.6 % | -0.1 % | -0.7 % |
Net earnings (loss) | 1,679 | 127 | 1,806 | 2,245 | (245) | 2,000 | (194) | -9.7 % |
Basic earnings (loss) per share | $ 0.160 | $ 0.012 | $ 0.172 | $ 0.210 | $ (0.023) | $ 0.187 | $ (0.015) | -8.0 % |
Diluted earnings (loss) per share | $ 0.159 | $ 0.012 | $ 0.171 | $ 0.209 | $ (0.023) | $ 0.186 | $ (0.015) | -8.1 % |
Dividends declared per diluted share | $ 0.30 | $ 0.300 | $ - | 0.0 % | ||||
Total assets | 361,859 | 337,276 | 24,583 | 7.3 % | ||||
Long-term debt (excludes lease liabilities) | 65,727 | 53,713 | 12,014 | 22.4 % | ||||
Cash provided by operating activities | 12,692 | 9,308 | 3,384 | 36.4 % | ||||
Net change in non-cash working capital items | 3,192 | 606 | 2,586 | 426.7 % | ||||
Share-based compensation expense | 508 | 505 | 3 | 0.6 % | ||||
Maintenance capital expenditures | 387 | 936 | (549) | -58.7 % | ||||
Principal elements of lease payments | 2,631 | 2,144 | 487 | 22.7 % | ||||
Distributable cash flow | 5,974 | 5,117 | 857 | 16.7 % | ||||
Dividends declared | 3,177 | 3,231 | (54) | -1.7 % | ||||
Payout ratio | 53.2 % | 63.1 % | -9.9 % | -15.7 % |
(1) See "Terminology" for further details |
The Corporation's healthcare and hospitality segments continues to experience steady growth trends. For the healthcare segment, management expects activity levels to remain strong from continued focus on reducing wait times and enhancing patient care. For the hospitality segment, management expects solid activity levels from both business and leisure travel reflecting historical seasonal trends.
The volatility we encountered from energy prices, local labour market shortages and cost inflation throughout the pandemic has stabilized. In early 2022, particularly in the
The Corporation also faced temporary labour inefficiencies from unusually competitive labour markets. While labour markets have been stabilizing, certain regional markets continue to experience constrained labour availability. The Corporation is managing more challenging regional labour availability with complementary temporary foreign worker programs and has seen positive staffing support in this regard.
Throughout 2023, EBITDA margins benefited from stronger client activity, price increases that we have secured to offset inflation-related costs, the completion of the AHS transition, operating efficiencies, and lower delivery costs. Going forward, management expects EBITDA margins to follow historical seasonal trends.
With continued momentum in existing operations, management has refocused attention on strategic acquisitions, such as the acquisitions of Shortridge, Villeray and Paranet, to accelerate growth in both
K-Bro is the largest owner and operator of laundry and linen processing facilities in
The Corporation's operations in
The Corporation's operations in the
Additional information regarding the Corporation including required securities filings are available on our website at www.k-brolinen.com and on the Canadian Securities Administrators' website at www.sedarplus.ca; the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval ("SEDAR").
TERMINOLOGY
Throughout this news release and other documents referred to herein, and in order to provide a better understanding of the financial results, K-Bro uses the terms "EBITDA", "adjusted EBITDA", "adjusted net earnings", "adjusted net earnings per share", "debt to total capital", "distributable cash" and "payout ratio". These terms do not have any standardized meaning under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as set out in the CICA Handbook. Therefore, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net earnings, adjusted net earnings per share, distributable cash and payout ratio may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Specifically, the terms "EBITDA", "adjusted EBITDA", "adjusted net earnings", "adjusted net earnings per share", "distributable cash", and "payout ratio" have been defined as follows:
EBITDA
K–Bro reports EBITDA (Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) as a key measure used by management to evaluate performance. EBITDA is utilized to measure compliance with debt covenants and to make decisions related to dividends to Shareholders. We believe EBITDA assists investors to assess our performance on a consistent basis as it is an indication of our capacity to generate income from operations before taking into account management's financing decisions and costs of consuming tangible and intangible capital assets, which vary according to their vintage, technological currency and management's estimate of their useful life. Accordingly, EBITDA comprises revenues less operating costs before financing costs, capital asset and intangible asset amortization, and income taxes.
EBITDA is a sub–total presented within the statement of earnings in accordance with the amendments made to IAS 1 which became effective
Three Months Ended | ||||
(thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | ||
Net earnings | $ 1,806 | $ 2,000 | ||
Add: | ||||
Income tax expense | 569 | 539 | ||
Finance expense | 1,923 | 1,473 | ||
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment | 7,006 | 6,251 | ||
Amortization of intangible assets | 301 | 70 | ||
EBITDA | $ 11,605 | $ 10,333 |
Non-GAAP Measures
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is a measure which has been reported in order to assist in the comparison of historical EBITDA to current results. "Adjusted EBITDA" is defined as EBITDA (defined above) with the exclusion of certain material items that are unusual in nature, infrequently occurring or not considered part of our core operations. There were no adjusting items to EBITDA for the three month periods ending
Distributable Cash Flow
Distributable cash flow is a measure used by management to evaluate the Corporation's performance. While the closest IFRS measure is cash provided by operating activities, distributable cash flow is considered relevant because it provides an indication of how much cash generated by operations is available after capital expenditures. It should be noted that although we consider this measure to be distributable cash flow, financial and non–financial covenants in our credit facilities and dealer agreements may restrict cash from being available for dividends, re–investment in the Corporation, potential acquisitions, or other purposes. Investors should be cautioned that distributable cash flow may not actually be available for growth or distribution from the Corporation. Management refers to "Distributable cash flow" as to cash provided by (used in) operating activities with the addition of net changes in non–cash working capital items, less share–based compensation, maintenance capital expenditures and principal elements of lease payments.
Three Months Ended | ||||
(thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | ||
Cash provided by operating activities | $ 12,692 | $ 9,308 | ||
Deduct (add): | ||||
Net changes in non-cash working capital items | 3,192 | 606 | ||
Share-based compensation expense | 508 | 505 | ||
Maintenance capital expenditures | 387 | 936 | ||
Principal elements of lease payments | 2,631 | 2,144 | ||
Distributable cash flow | $ 5,974 | $ 5,117 |
Payout Ratio
"Payout ratio" is defined by management as the actual cash dividend divided by distributable cash. This is a key measure used by investors to value K-Bro, assess its performance and provide an indication of the sustainability of dividends. The payout ratio depends on the distributable cash and the Corporation's dividend policy.
Three Months Ended | |||
2024 | 2023 | ||
Cash dividends | 3,177 | 3,231 | |
Distributable cash flow | 5,974 | 5,117 | |
53.2 % | 63.1 % |
Debt to Total Capital
"Debt to total capital" is defined by management as the total long–term debt (excludes lease liabilities) divided by the Corporation's total capital. This is a measure used by investors to assess the Corporation's financial structure.
Distributable cash flow, payout ratio, debt to total capital adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net earnings, and adjusted net earnings per share are not calculations based on IFRS and are not considered an alternative to IFRS measures in measuring K–Bro's performance. Distributable cash Flow, payout ratio, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net earnings, and adjusted net earnings per share do not have standardized meanings in IFRS and are therefore not likely to be comparable with similar measures used by other issuers.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains forward–looking information that represents internal expectations, estimates or beliefs concerning, among other things, future activities or future operating results and various components thereof. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "continue", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", and similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or events are intended to identify forward–looking information. Statements regarding such forward–looking information reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management.
These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are based on management's estimates and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause K-Bro's actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from the forward-looking information contained in this news release. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things: (i) risks associated with acquisitions, including (a) the possibility of undisclosed material liabilities, disputes or contingencies, (b) challenges or delays in achieving synergy and integration targets, (c) the diversion of management's time and focus from other business concerns and (d) the use of resources that may be needed in other parts of our business; (ii) K-Bro's competitive environment; (iii) utility costs, minimum wage legislation and labour costs; (iv) K-Bro's dependence on long-term contracts with the associated renewal risk and the risks associated with maintaining short term contracts; (v) increased capital expenditure requirements; (vi) reliance on key personnel; (vii) changing trends in government outsourcing; (viii) changes or proposed changes to minimum wage laws in
All forward–looking information in this news release is qualified by these cautionary statements. Forward–looking information in this news release is presented only as of the date made. Except as required by law, K–Bro does not undertake any obligation to publicly revise these forward–looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
This news release also makes reference to certain measures in this document that do not have any standardized meaning as prescribed by IFRS and, therefore, are considered non–GAAP measures. These measures may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Please see "Terminology" for further discussion.
SOURCE
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