Axalta Releases Second Quarter 2020 Results

PHILADELPHIA, July 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --

Second Quarter 2020 Highlights:

• Notable monthly sequential net sales recovery; June 2020 net sales 82% higher than April 2020
• ~$1.5 billion in total liquidity available at June 30, 2020
• Net sales of $652.7 million decreased 43.6% year-over-year (decreased 39.7% ex-FX and M&A impacts); June 2020 net sales recovered to down ~24%, ex-FX, versus June 2019
• Loss from operations of $64.5 million; Adjusted EBIT of $(11.6) million; Q2 2020 includes $45.0 million in COVID-19 related accounting charges
• Diluted EPS of $(0.35) versus $0.42 in Q2 2019; Adjusted diluted EPS of $(0.15) versus $0.52 in Q2 2019
• Global restructuring announced; ~$50 million in annual run-rate structural cost savings

Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. (NYSE: AXTA) ("Axalta"), a leading global coatings company, announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020 and provided an update regarding the ongoing impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on its business, employees, customers, and shareholders and related mitigation actions taken and planned. The Company also announced the initiation of a global restructuring of its business to better position Axalta for sustained growth.

Second Quarter 2020 Consolidated Financial Results

Second quarter net sales of $652.7 million decreased 43.6% year-over-year, including a 2.8% negative foreign currency impact and 1.1% negative year-over-year impact from the sale of a China JV interest in Q2 2019. Constant currency organic net sales decreased 39.7% in the period, driven by 39.2% lower volumes and 0.5% lower average price and product mix. Lower volumes across all businesses were driven by COVID-19 impacts, though results improved sequentially in each month following a bottom in April, which was led by Transportation customer site shutdowns globally (excluding China) with gradual reopenings starting in May and lower operating rates of Performance Coatings customers. Transportation Coatings saw continued year-over-year price and product mix improvement, while Performance Coatings declined in the period due to unfavorable product mix in Refinish.

Loss from operations for Q2 2020 totaled $64.5 million compared with income of $157.9 million in Q2 2019. Net loss to common shareholders was $82.8 million for the quarter compared with income of $98.4 million in Q2 2019, and diluted loss per share was $0.35 compared with diluted EPS of $0.42 in Q2 2019. The decreases were primarily driven by volume decline impacts, COVID-19 related accounting charges of $45.0 million primarily associated with fixed costs at underutilized manufacturing sites recognized as a period expense, as well as the impacts of severance, impairments, and strategic review-related charges of $24.6 million in Q2 2020 versus $2.3 million in Q2 2019. These impacts were partially offset by lower operating expenses inclusive of cost actions initiated in late March in response to COVID-19, and by slightly favorable variable input costs.

Adjusted EBIT of $(11.6) million for the second quarter compared with $197.4 million in Q2 2019. Adjusted diluted EPS of $(0.15) compared with $0.52 in Q2 2019. These results were driven by lower global volumes across all end-markets and COVID-19 related accounting charges, partly offset by lower operating expenses inclusive of cost actions initiated in late March in response to COVID-19, and slightly lower variable input costs.

Robert W. Bryant, Axalta's President and CEO, commented, "We continue to be impacted by the coronavirus pandemic across our business, and we remain focused on operating safely while protecting the health and well-being of our employees, customers, and communities where we live and work. The impact on customer demand related to COVID-19 continues to gradually improve month-to-month, but there remain significant challenges and uncertainties around the timing and shape of the recovery. Given this, we remain committed to managing with agility to ensure we mitigate risk and control costs as effectively as possible."

In May, Axalta announced initial actions taken to counter COVID-19-related customer demand impacts across the business, including reductions in discretionary and other SG&A costs with a target of $100 million in savings to be realized during 2020.

Mr. Bryant commented, "We are proud that the second quarter benefited substantially from our proactive management philosophy and key actions implemented, allowing June results to return to profitability with volumes only partially recovered during the month.  Axalta was able to reduce operating costs during the quarter by approximately $75 million, exceeding earlier expectations, and we now expect to beat our prior target for the full year and to generate at least $130 million in total cost savings."

Mr. Bryant continued, "The nature of customer demand impacts during the quarter made the period uniquely challenging, including muted demand within Performance Coatings as well as prolonged customer shutdowns in Transportation Coatings, driving the recognition of fixed costs in the period due to underutilization of manufacturing sites.  Nonetheless, our businesses have demonstrated resilience and emerged from the period fully intact, while customers have continued to experience Axalta's dedication to service, as they have come to expect from an industry leader.  I can't thank our team enough for their dedication to fulfilling critical customer needs, and for the many examples we have seen of the Axalta team responding to the unique challenges of this period."

Performance Coatings Results

Performance Coatings second quarter net sales were $482.1 million, a decrease of 36.3% year-over-year. Constant currency organic net sales decreased 32.3% in the period before the net negative M&A-related impact of 1.6% from the China powder JV sale in Q2 2019, and 2.4% from negative foreign currency translation. Drivers of the constant currency organic decline included a 29.7% volume decline derived from both end-markets, as well as a 2.6% decrease in average price and product mix primarily from the Refinish end-market.

Refinish net sales declined 41.4% to $261.9 million in Q2 2020 (decreased 38.7% excluding foreign currency) with lower volume including demand impact from COVID-19 which substantially reduced global traffic volumes, as well as reduced average price and product mix contribution principally from a change in product mix. Industrial net sales decreased 28.8% to $220.2 million (decreased 23.2% excluding foreign currency and M&A-related impacts), including volume declines over 20% but with largely stable average price and product mix globally. Industrial sub-businesses including wood, powder, and energy solutions have all seen demand improve notably in June.

The Performance Coatings segment generated Adjusted EBIT of $1.5 million in the second quarter compared with $127.6 million in Q2 2019. The decline, principally from negative impacts of lower volume, accounting charges related to COVID-19 impacts, lower price and product mix, and foreign exchange, was partially offset by lower operating expenses and modestly lower variable costs.

Transportation Coatings Results

Transportation Coatings net sales were $170.6 million in Q2 2020, a decrease of 57.4% year-over-year, including a 3.7% negative currency translation impact. Constant currency net sales declined 53.7% in the period, driven by a 57.2% decrease in volume, offset partially by 3.5% higher average price and product mix.

Light Vehicle net sales decreased 58.7% to $126.3 million year-over-year (decreased 54.9% excluding foreign currency), driven largely by lower global automotive production resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, and modest foreign exchange headwinds, offset partially by improved price and product mix. Commercial Vehicle net sales decreased 53.2% to $44.3 million from Q2 2019 (decreased 50.1% excluding foreign currency), also driven by global customer production rate declines resulting from COVID-19.  Average price and product mix was a moderate offsetting tailwind in the period.

The Transportation Coatings segment generated an Adjusted EBIT loss of $39.3 million in Q2 2020 compared with income of $40.4 million in Q2 2019, driven principally by the impact of lower volume and accounting charges related to COVID-19 impacts, offset partly by lower operating costs and positive price and product mix.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Highlights

Axalta ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $1.1 billion. Our debt, net of cash, was $2.9 billion as of June 30, 2020, which compared with $2.8 billion as of December 31, 2019. Our net debt to trailing twelve month Adjusted EBITDA ratio was 4.0x at quarter end. Axalta ended the quarter with approximately $1.5 billion in available liquidity, including $361.0 million of capacity under our undrawn revolver and the proceeds from the June issuance of $500 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.750% senior unsecured notes due 2027. We have no affirmative financial covenants on our current outstanding indebtedness, and we ended Q2 with an Adjusted EBITDA to interest expense coverage ratio of 4.7x.

Second quarter total use of operating cash flow was $1.7 million versus $126.7 million of cash generated in Q2 2019, reflecting reduced operating income during the period, including COVID-19 impacts on the business, offset in part by improved working capital and reduced cash outflows related to customer investments in the period. Free cash flow totaled a use of $17.8 million compared to $103.7 million provided in the prior year second quarter, including lower capital expenditures in the period totaling $19.7 million versus $26.7 million in second quarter 2019.

"Despite unprecedented customer demand disruption due to the pandemic and associated reduced operating rates during the second quarter, our initial actions to adjust our cost structure and maximize cash flow globally have helped stabilize Axalta's overall financial profile," said Sean Lannon, Axalta's Chief Financial Officer. "Second quarter results benefited from approximately $75 million in cost savings as well as $70 million in incremental cash flows versus our prior plan from reduced capital expenditures and actions to drive working capital savings. We now expect to see combined savings in 2020 from COVID-related cost and cash flow actions in excess of $270 million, with remaining amounts to benefit the third quarter somewhat more than the fourth quarter."

Global Restructuring Announced

Axalta also announced that it is initiating a global restructuring of its business to better align the Company's cost structure in light of current economic pressures and to position Axalta for sustained growth. The restructuring is expected to result in a net 5% reduction of Axalta's global workforce, or approximately 550 employees globally, with the potential for additional reductions from Europe, subject to works council consultations and local legal requirements. The 5% reduction in Axalta's workforce should be completed over 24 months and generate savings of approximately $50 million, with $40 million expected by the end of 2021. The Company expects to incur cash costs of $55-65 million inclusive of capital expenditures, with $25-30 million of the total expected for the remainder of 2020.

Mr. Bryant commented, "Given the significant customer demand headwinds we are facing due to COVID-19, we have made the difficult decision to undertake a global restructuring to address the continued effects of the pandemic and further improve our cost structure. As part of this process, we are streamlining our workforce to align with current and expected future customer demand and to enable Axalta to be cost competitive in the markets in which we compete. Through Axalta Way, coupled with the insights gleaned through the strategic review process, we believe we have the tools to transform our business for sustained profitable growth for the benefit of all stakeholders."

Mr. Bryant continued, "Beyond these immediate restructuring actions, we are actively planning incremental steps to further reduce expenses and increase our speed and agility to market. We plan to move forward vigorously to position Axalta for ongoing profitable growth across the markets we serve."

Axalta anticipates approximately $195 million of in-year 2020 cost savings from the restructuring actions announced today and previously planned actions. This includes $55 million from the Company's ongoing Axalta Way savings, approximately $10 million of incremental restructuring savings, and the $130 million in temporary cost savings discussed above.

Mr. Bryant concluded, "I want to thank all members of the Axalta team for their dedication and resilience through this dynamic and challenging period amid the COVID-19 pandemic. We truly believe that the actions taken with this restructuring will help make Axalta a stronger competitor with substantial future growth opportunities as we recover from the current downturn."

Financial Guidance Update

Forecast visibility remains limited, but we are updating discrete guidance elements as follows:

• Q3 net sales: Expected to be down ~15-20% compared to Q3 2019 including 1% negative impact from FX
• FY diluted shares: ~236 million
• FY capex: ~$80 million (50% lower than January guidance)
• FY interest expense: ~$150 million

Conference Call Information

As previously announced, Axalta will hold a conference call to discuss its second quarter 2020 financial results on July 29, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. ET. The dial-in phone number for the conference call is +1-201-689-8560. A live webcast of the conference call will also be available online at www.axalta.com/investorcall. For those unable to participate, a replay will be available through August 5, 2020, with a dial-in number of +1-412-317-6671 and pin: 13707303.

Reclassifications and Revisions

The condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 have been updated for comparability with the current year presentation to separately present other operating charges as detailed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain certain forward-looking statements regarding Axalta and its subsidiaries including our outlook, which includes net sales growth, currency effects, acquisition or divestment impacts, Adjusted EBIT, Adjusted EPS, Adjusted EBITDA, interest expense, income tax rate, as adjusted, free cash flow, capital expenditures, depreciation and amortization, and diluted shares outstanding, the effects of COVID-19 on Axalta's business and financial results and the restructuring detailed in the release (the "Restructuring"). Axalta has identified some of these forward-looking statements with words such as "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "estimates," "is likely," "outlook", "projects," "forecasts," "may," "will," "should," "plans" and "intends" and the negative of these words or other comparable or similar terminology. All of these statements are based on management's expectations as well as estimates and assumptions prepared by management that, although they believe to be reasonable, are inherently uncertain. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of Axalta's control, including developments that could impact the timing, costs and savings associated with, the Restructuring, as well as the review of strategic alternatives that was concluded in March 2020 and the effects of COVID-19, that may cause its business, industry, strategy, financing activities or actual results to differ materially. The extent and duration of COVID-19 on our business and operations is uncertain. Factors that will influence the impact on our business and operations include the duration and extent of COVID-19, the extent of imposed or recommended containment and mitigation measures, and the general economic consequences of COVID-19. More information on potential factors that could affect Axalta's financial results is available in the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" section within Axalta's most recent annual report on Form 10-K, and in other documents that we have filed with, or furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Axalta undertakes no obligation to update or revise any of the forward-looking statements contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The historical financial information included in this presentation includes financial information that is not presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"), including constant currency net sales growth, income tax rate, as adjusted, EBIT, Adjusted EBIT, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EPS, free cash flow, net debt, Adjusted net income and Adjusted EBITDA to interest expense coverage ratio. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in the analysis of our financial and operating performance because they assist in the evaluation of underlying trends in our business. Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EPS consist of EBITDA, EBIT and Diluted EPS, respectively, adjusted for (i) certain non-cash items included within net income, (ii) certain items Axalta does not believe are indicative of ongoing operating performance or (iii) certain nonrecurring, unusual or infrequent items that have not occurred within the last two years or we believe are not reasonably likely to recur within the next two years. We believe that making such adjustments provides investors meaningful information to understand our operating results and ability to analyze financial and business trends on a period-to-period basis. Adjusted net income shows the adjusted value of net income (loss) attributable to controlling interests after removing the items that are determined by management to be items that we do not consider indicative of our ongoing operating performance or unusual or nonrecurring in nature. Our use of the terms constant currency net sales growth, income tax rate, as adjusted, EBIT, Adjusted EBIT, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EPS, free cash flow, net debt, Adjusted net income and Adjusted EBITDA to interest expense coverage ratio may differ from that of others in our industry. Constant currency net sales growth, income tax rate, as adjusted, EBIT, Adjusted EBIT, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EPS, free cash flow, net debt, Adjusted net income and Adjusted EBITDA to interest expense coverage ratio should not be considered as alternatives to net sales, net income (loss), income (loss) before operations or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP as measures of operating performance or operating cash flows or as measures of liquidity. Constant currency net sales growth, income tax rate, as adjusted, EBIT, Adjusted EBIT, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EPS, free cash flow, net debt, Adjusted net income and Adjusted EBITDA to interest expense coverage ratio have important limitations as analytical tools and should be considered in conjunction with, and not as substitutes for, our results as reported under GAAP. This release includes a reconciliation of certain non-GAAP financial measures with the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Axalta does not provide a reconciliation for non-GAAP estimates for constant currency net sales growth, Adjusted EBIT, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EPS, income tax rate, as adjusted, or free cash flow on a forward-looking basis because the information necessary to calculate a meaningful or accurate estimation of reconciling items is not available without unreasonable effort. For example, such reconciling items include the impact of foreign currency exchange gains or losses, gains or losses that are unusual or nonrecurring in nature, as well as discrete taxable events. We cannot estimate or project these items and they may have a substantial and unpredictable impact on our US GAAP results.

Constant Currency

Constant currency or ex-FX percentages are calculated by excluding the impact the change in average exchange rates between the current and comparable period by currency denomination exposure of the comparable period amount.

Organic Growth

Organic growth or ex-M&A percentages are calculated by excluding the impact of recent acquisitions and divestitures.

Segment Financial Measures

The primary measure of segment operating performance is Adjusted EBIT, which is a key metric that is used by management to evaluate business performance in comparison to budgets, forecasts and prior year financial results, providing a measure that management believes reflects Axalta's core operating performance. As we do not measure segment operating performance based on net income, a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure with the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP is not available.

About Axalta Coating Systems

Axalta is a global leader in the coatings industry, providing customers with innovative, colorful, beautiful and sustainable coatings solutions. From light vehicles, commercial vehicles and refinish applications to electric motors, building facades and other industrial applications, our coatings are designed to prevent corrosion, increase productivity and enhance durability. With more than 150 years of experience in the coatings industry, the global team at Axalta continues to find ways to serve our more than 100,000 customers in over 130 countries better every day with the finest coatings, application systems and technology. For more information, visit axalta.com and follow us @axalta on Twitter.

The following table reconciles (loss) income from operations to adjusted EBIT and segment adjusted EBIT for the periods presented (in millions):

The following table reconciles net (loss) income to adjusted net income for the periods presented (in millions, except per share data):

The following table reconciles cash (used for) provided by operating activities to free cash flow for the periods presented (in millions):

The following table reconciles net (loss) income to EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented (in millions):

Contact
Christopher Mecray
D +1 215 255 7970
Christopher.Mecray@axalta.com

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SOURCE Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.