LMI Aerospace, Inc. Announces Non-Cash Goodwill Impairment Charge, Management Changes

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 9, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - LMI Aerospace, Inc. (Nasdaq:LMIA) (“LMI” or the “Company”), a leading supplier of structural assemblies, kits and components and provider of design engineering services to the aerospace and defense industries, today announced that it expects to record a $24$29 million, non-cash, non-deductible goodwill impairment charge in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014, related to its Engineering Services segment.

Under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), companies are required to conduct an annual goodwill impairment test for each of their reporting units. Goodwill is considered impaired when its carrying amount exceeds its implied fair value. As a result of its annual impairment test, LMI determined that a write down of its Engineering Services reporting unit goodwill was required, with the bulk of the impairment attributable to a sustained decline in sales and lower overall demand for engineering services.

Demand for aerospace structural design engineering has slowed as a result of a decrease in the number of new development programs currently in process. Further, competition from lower cost competitors and customers choosing to keep design work in house rather than outsourcing has also contributed to reduced demand as well as lower profitability for such services.

The Company is in the process of finalizing the actual amount of the impairment charge, which will be completed prior to reporting its fourth quarter and full-year 2014 financial results.

In response to the challenges facing the Engineering Services business, LMI also announced that, effective immediately, it has appointed Brian P. Olsen, the Company’s Executive Director of Business Development, as Acting President, Engineering Services. Jay Inman will assume the role of Acting Chief Operating Officer, Engineering Services.

“The Engineering Services business needs to focus heavily on revenue generation and business development in the coming year,” said Dan Korte, Chief Executive Officer of LMI. “Brian possesses the skills and experience required to actively seek out new opportunities for both the design and after-market portions of our services business. This change will also allow Jay Inman the ability to focus his leadership efforts on operational excellence, which will remain the other critical element of segment success in 2015.”

Olsen is a seven year veteran of LMI and has held leadership positions in both operations and contracts. In addition to his work at LMI, Brian has spent approximately 20 years in the maintenance repair and overhaul business, as a General Manager for BF Goodrich and as President of Empire Aero Center, an Israel Aerospace Industries Company.