AAR Reports Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2014 Results

WOOD DALE, Ill., Dec. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — AAR (NYSE: AIR) today reported second quarter fiscal year 2014 consolidated sales of $540.7 million and net income of $20.0 million, or $0.50 per diluted share. For the second quarter of the prior fiscal year, the Company reported sales of $512.8 million and net income of $17.8 million, or $0.44 per diluted share.

“Today we reported strong second quarter FY 2014 results, including record revenue and earnings for this fiscal period,” said David P. Storch, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AAR CORP. “Our Aviation Services segment performed well in the quarter, with strong revenue growth, while our Technology Products declined slightly in comparison to prior year.”

Sales in the Aviation Services segment increased 8.7% to $424.7 million, driven by growth in the Company’s supply chain operations, which includes the delivery of two aircraft to the U.S. Marshals Service, increased MRO activity and continued steady demand for airlift support. During the quarter AAR secured FAA approval to begin MRO operations in Lake Charles and completed its first heavy maintenance check for a customer at this facility, in addition to ramping up a third maintenance line at the Duluth MRO facility. AAR was also awarded a contract extension through October 2014 for 10 rotary-wing aircraft for the Department of Defense (DoD) and NATO operations in Afghanistan.

Subsequent to the end of the second quarter, the Company announced the following contracts in its Aviation Services segment:

On December 2nd, AAR was awarded a contract to provide fixed-wing support to the U.S. Africa Command. The contract award is currently under protest by the incumbent operator.
On December 3rd, AAR was awarded by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to provide fixed- and rotary-wing support for the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). The Company is awaiting task orders.
On December 11th, AAR announced it has signed a five-year contract to become the sole supplier of consumable and expendable line-item parts for a major commercial airline.
On December 18th, the Company announced it has entered into an exclusive agreement with EATON to supply fluid distribution products to the Defense Logistics Agency.
Second quarter sales in the Technology Products segment were $116.0 million, a decline of 4.9% when compared to the prior year quarter sales of $122.0 million. During the quarter, the Company experienced lower sales of cargo systems and containers. AAR was awarded a sole source IDIQ contract to provide specialized containers and shelters for the DoD and federal agencies with anticipated revenues of $200 to $250 million in total over a five-year term. On December 16th, 2013, AAR closed the previously announced acquisition of the cargo system product line of PFW Aerospace GmbH.

Second quarter sales to commercial customers represented 57% of consolidated sales, compared to 60% of consolidated sales in the second quarter of last year, while sales to government and defense customers represented the balance. In this quarter, sales to government and defense customers include the delivery of the two aircraft to the U.S. Marshals Service.

Consolidated gross profit margin was 16.8% for the second quarter compared to 17.0% last year due to unfavorable margin mix. Aviation Services segment gross profit margin was 16.8%, down from 17.2% in the prior year period, and Technology Products gross profit margin improved to 17.0% from 16.4% in the prior year period.

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales were 9.5% for the second quarter compared to 9.9% last year. The improvement is a result of a combination of higher sales and effective cost management. Operating income in the second quarter was $40.7 million, a margin of 7.5%, compared to $37.8 million, or 7.4% of sales in the prior year period.

Net interest expense for the quarter decreased to $10.2 million from $10.5 million in the second quarter of last year. As of November 30, 2013, net debt was reduced by $29 million from the end of the first fiscal quarter of 2014 and by $127 million from November 30, 2012.

During the quarter, the Company generated $38.8 million in cash flow from operations and free cash flow of $31.7 million with Capital Expenditures of $7.1 million. The company paid cash dividends of $3.0 million.

Average diluted share count for the quarter was 39.2 million compared to 41.5 million in the second quarter last year.

Storch continued, “We are pleased with the Company’s performance through the first half of Fiscal Year 2014. While our third fiscal quarter is subject to seasonal pressure, over the second half of Fiscal Year 2014 we anticipate continued momentum in the commercial side of our Aviation Services segment, while we expect reduced positions and lower revenue from airlift services in Afghanistan. Further, we are looking at steady performance in our Technology Products segment.”

Storch concluded, “We’ve taken steps to build out our platform in both segments. The bolt-on acquisition of PFW’s cargo system assets will increase our content on the A320 family of aircraft. In Aviation Services, we continue to expand our distribution platform as indicated by our recently announced five year contract with a major airline customer and the multi-year agreement with EATON.”