Platform Specialty Products Corporation Announces First Quarter 2015 Financial Results


  • 191.1% reported sales growth
  • 9.6% organic pro forma as adjusted net sales growth on a constant currency basis
  • 6.7% pro forma as adjusted sales decline in actual currency due to foreign exchange headwinds
  • 184.4% adjusted EBITDA growth
  • 22.0% Organic pro forma as adjusted EBITDA growth
  • 0.5% pro forma as adjusted EBITDA growth in actual currency

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., May 12, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Platform Specialty Products Corporation (NYSE:PAH) ("Platform" or the "Company"), a global, diversified specialty chemicals company, today announced its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

For the three months ended March 31, 2015:

  • Net sales for the quarter increased 191.1% to $534.8 million compared to $183.7 million in the first quarter of 2014. On a pro forma as adjusted basis net sales declined 6.7% from $666.7 million to $622.3 million, attributable primarily to foreign exchange headwinds. On a constant currency basis, pro forma as adjusted net sales were up 9.6% year-over-year.
    • Performance Applications segment (which was previously reported as separate Performance Materials and Graphic Solutions segments and now includes all MacDermid operations – see note at the end of this press release): Sales declined 1.9% to $180.3 million from $183.7 million in the first quarter of 2014. On a constant currency basis, sales for this segment grew 5.9% or $10.0 million.
    • Agricultural Solutions segment (which was previously reported as AgroSolutions – see note at the end of this press release): Pro forma as adjusted sales declined by 8.5% from $483.0 million in the first quarter of 2014 to $442.0 million. On a constant currency basis, pro forma as adjusted sales grew 11.2% or $44.3 million.
  • Pro forma as adjusted EBITDA for the quarter rose 0.5% to $134.6 million compared to $133.9 million from the year-prior period. On a constant currency basis, pro forma as adjusted EBITDA increased 22.0% year-over-year.
    • Pro forma as adjusted EBITDA margin was 21.6% compared to a margin of 20.8% in the year-ago period.
  • Reported net loss increased to ($26.3) million, compared to ($5.9) million for the same period in 2014. On a pro forma as adjusted basis net income rose 12.8% from $41.2 million to $46.5 million and pro forma as adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders was also up 13.0% to $46.4 million.
  • Reported diluted loss per share was $(0.14) against $(0.07) in Q1 2014
  • As adjusted diluted earnings per share were $0.21, compared to $0.18 per adjusted diluted earnings per share in the same period of 2014.
  • Pro forma as adjusted recurring free cash flow of $(2.1) million, or $(0.01) per adjusted diluted share. This was driven by a significant working capital outflow associated with our agricultural solutions business.

Daniel H. Leever, Platform's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We had a busy yet exciting start to 2015 as we completed the Arysta acquisition and rapidly began integrating our Agricultural Solutions businesses. Our efforts have already resulted in meaningful synergies, and our strategy to focus on specialty crops in niche sectors enabled us to outperform the sector this quarter. We believe our consolidated double-digit, constant currency growth and strong margin performance is a clear indicator of the momentum and strength we possess across our business lines. While currency remains a substantial headwind, we are actively working to mitigate these pressures. Our strong sales pipeline keeps us on track to meet our 2015 targets and we remain laser focused on driving cash flow generation."

Frank J. Monteiro, Platform's Chief Financial Officer, added, "We are extremely pleased with our financial performance this quarter, especially in the context of a challenging agrochemical industry landscape and currency headwinds. The underlying health of our business is evident from our double-digit constant currency growth. Our strong operating performance is attributable to robust sales of our high margin products in the agrochemical business and healthy demand for products within our Electronic Solutions end market."

Wayne Hewett, Platform's President, noted, "The steps we took this quarter to solidify our management infrastructure and bring together our agrochemicals businesses lay the foundation for our long-term growth and success. Our integration work proceeds steadily, and we believe we have direct line of sight to our targeted $80 million of synergies over the next three years. We expect to realize in excess of $20 million of synergies in the P&L in 2015."

In the first quarter of 2015, Platform closed its acquisition of Arysta LifeScience Limited ("Arysta"). The Company also completed several financings related to this acquisition. These consisted of raising $2.1 billion in debt funding, including an aggregate of approximately $1.5 billion in U.S. dollar and Euro denominated bonds and approximately $750 million of new incremental credit facilities.

The Company has presented both U.S. GAAP and adjusted financials to better provide investors with measures that allow them to more readily compare the performance of the Company. These adjusted amounts aim to provide investors insight into the cash generated from operations after taking into consideration reinvestment in the business for Free Cash Flow, Recurring Free Cash Flow, and Adjusted EBITDA.

Please note: (1) The "pro forma as adjusted" numbers outlined above are aimed at enabling a proper comparison of Platform's financial results between the first quarter of 2014 and the first quarter of 2015. These numbers include certain adjustments made to both periods and assume that Platform owned all acquired businesses (Arysta, the AgroSolutions business of Chemtura Corporation ("CAS"), and Percival S.A., including its agrochemical business, Agriphar ("Agriphar") for the entirety of both periods. The adjustments to Platform's reported numbers are detailed in the financial tables included in this press release. The Company believes that this "pro forma as adjusted" format provides a more complete understanding of its operational results and a meaningful comparison of its performance between periods.

(2) In this first quarter 2015, Platform completed certain changes to its organizational structure, which resulted in the re-classification of its three reportable business segments, Performance Materials, Graphic Solutions and AgroSolutions, into two reportable business segments, Performance Applications and Agricultural Solutions. Platform has re-organized and re-branded its operations by consolidating its Performance Materials and Graphic Solutions segments into the Performance Applications segment. This segment now includes all MacDermid operations. Platform also re-branded AgroSolutions into the Agricultural Solutions segment, which now aggregates Platform's acquired businesses (Arysta, CAS, and Agriphar). The results indicated in this press release reflect this new reporting segment structure. 

Conference Call

Platform will host a webcast/dial-in conference call to discuss its first quarter 2015 financial results at 8:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Tuesday, May 12, 2015. Participants on the call will include Daniel H. Leever, Chief Executive Officer, Wayne M. Hewett, President, Frank J. Monteiro, Chief Financial Officer, and Benjamin Gliklich, Vice President, Corporate Development, Finance and Investor Relations.

To listen to the call by telephone, please dial (855) 357-3116 (domestic) or (484) 365-2867 (international) and provide the Conference ID: 27241592. The call will be simultaneously webcast at www.platformspecialtyproducts.com. A replay of the call and webcast will be available for three weeks shortly after completion of the live call at www.platformspecialtyproducts.com.

About Platform

Platform is a global, diversified producer of high-technology specialty chemicals and provider of technical services. The business involves the formulation of a broad range of solutions-oriented specialty chemicals, which are sold into multiple industries, including agrochemical, animal health, electronics, graphic arts, plating, and offshore oil production and drilling. More information on Platform is available at www.platformspecialtyproducts.com.

Forward-Looking Statements 

This release is intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 as it contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which include statements regarding Platform's adjusted earnings per share, expected or estimated revenue, the outlook for Platform's markets and the demand for its products, estimated sales, segment earnings, net interest expense, income tax provision, restructuring and other charges, cash flows from operations, consistent profitable growth, free cash flow, future revenues and gross operating and adjusted EBITDA margin improvement requirement and expansion, organic net sales growth, bank debt covenants, the success of new product introductions, growth in costs and expenses, the impact of commodities and currencies and Platform's ability to manage its risk in these areas, and the impact of acquisitions, divestitures, restructuring and other unusual items, including Platform's ability to successfully complete as well as integrate and obtain the anticipated results and synergies from its consummated and future acquisitions. These projections and statements are based on management's estimates and assumptions with respect to future events and financial performance, and are believed to be reasonable, though are inherently difficult to predict. Actual results could differ materially from those projected as a result of certain factors. A discussion of factors that could cause results to vary is included in Platform's periodic and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Platform's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. Platform undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

—FINANCIAL TABLES TO FOLLOW—

PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
     
 ($ In thousands)
     
  March 31, 2015 December 31, 2014
     
Assets    
Cash & cash equivalents  $ 297,262  $ 397,280
Restricted cash  --  599,946
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $10,795 and $9,598 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively  1,059,312  327,346
Inventories  460,944  205,843
Prepaid expenses & other current assets  163,782  47,954
Total current assets  1,981,300  1,578,369
     
Property, plant & equipment, net  279,958  174,958
Goodwill  2,908,937  1,405,294
Intangible assets, net  2,769,566  1,341,480
Other assets  128,103  57,420
Total assets  8,067,864  4,557,521
     
Liabilities & Stockholders' Equity    
Accounts payable  408,348  106,671
Accrued salaries, wages and employee benefits  38,835  31,319
Revolving credit facilities  173,250  --
Current portion of long-term debt   20,801  15,071
Accrued income taxes payable  27,503  16,668
Accrued acquisition payable  4,244  14,278
Accrued customers rebates and sales incentives  105,878  9,932
Factored liabilities  89,925  --
Other current liabilities  129,591  48,664
Total current liabilities  998,375  242,603
     
Long-term debt   3,424,418  1,400,823
Long-term deferred income taxes  647,162  202,292
Long term contingent consideration  66,600  63,900
Long-term retirement benefits  45,612  38,845
Other long-term liabilities  113,092  56,460
Total liabilities   5,295,259  2,004,923
     
Commitments and contingencies     
     
Convertible Series B preferred shares  645,900  --
     
Stockholders' Equity    
Preferred shares (2,000,000 designated as Series A), 5,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively; 2,000,000 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively  20  20
Common shares, 400,000,000 shares authorized, 192,221,572 and 182,066,980 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively  1,902  1,901
Additional paid-in capital  2,814,307  2,812,375
Accumulated deficit  (250,829)  (224,130)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (547,827)  (130,565)
Total stockholders' equity  2,017,573  2,459,601
Non-controlling interests  109,132  92,997
Total equity  2,126,705  2,552,598
     
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $ 8,067,864  $ 4,557,521
     
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
     
 ($ In thousands, except per share amounts)
     
  Three Months Ended
  March 31, March 31,
  2015 2014
     
Net sales  $ 534,826  $ 183,726
Cost of sales  327,674  99,504
Gross profit  207,152  84,222
     
Operating expenses:    
Selling, technical, general and administrative  190,398  74,032
Research and development  12,926  6,198
Restructuring  1,634  --
Total operating expenses  204,958  80,230
     
Operating profit  2,194  3,992
     
Other (expense) income:    
Interest, net  (39,383)  (7,742)
Other income (expense)   35,593  (89)
   (3,790)  (7,831)
Loss before income taxes and non-controlling interests   (1,596)  (3,839)
Income tax provision  (24,687)  (2,109)
Net loss  (26,283)  (5,948)
Net income attributable to the non-controlling interest  (417)  (1,469)
Net loss attributable to common shareholders  (26,700)  (7,417)
     
Earnings (loss) per share    
Basic  $ (0.14)  $ (0.07)
Diluted  $ (0.14)  $ (0.07)
     
Weighted average shares outstanding (In thousands)    
Basic  191,916  107,160
Diluted  191,916  107,160
     
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION
NON-GAAP PRO FORMA INCOME STATEMENTS 
                     
 (In thousands, except per share amounts)       As Adjusted          As Adjusted   
  Three Months Ended     Three Months Ended   Three Months Ended     Three Months Ended  
(Unaudited)  March 31, Adjustments   March 31,   March 31, Adjustments   March 31,  
  2015 2015   2015   2014 2014   2014  
                     
Net sales  $ 534,826  $ 87,484 a  $ 622,310    $ 183,726  $ 482,973 a  $ 666,699  
Cost of sales  327,674  15,330 a  343,004    99,504  285,803 a  385,307  
Gross profit  207,152  72,154    279,306    84,222  197,170    281,392  
                     
Operating expenses:                    
Selling, technical, general and administrative  190,398  (29,487) a  160,911    74,032  85,426 a  159,458  
Research and development  12,926  3,485 a  16,411    6,198  9,336 a  15,534  
Restructuring  1,634  (1,634)    --    --  --    --  
Total operating expenses  204,958  (27,636)    177,322    80,230  94,762    174,992  
                     
Operating profit  2,194  99,790    101,984    3,992  102,408    106,400  
                     
Other income (expense):                    
Interest, net  (39,383)  (7,851) b  (47,234)    (7,742)  (39,500) b  (47,242)  
Other income (expense)  35,593  (27,086) c  8,507    (89)  --    (89)  
   (3,790)  (34,937)    (38,727)    (7,831)  (39,500)    (47,331)  
Loss (income) before income taxes and non-controlling interests  (1,596)  64,853    63,257    (3,839)  62,908    59,069  
Income tax provision  (24,687)  7,883 d  (16,804)    (2,109)  (15,771) d  (17,880)  
Net (loss) income  (26,283)  72,736    46,453    (5,948)  47,137    41,189  
Net loss (income) attributable to the non-controlling interest  (417)  350 e  (67)    (1,469)  1,314 e  (155)  
Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders  (26,700)  73,086    46,386    (7,417)  48,451    41,034  
                     
Earnings (loss) per share                    
Basic  $ (0.14)  --    $ 0.24    $ (0.07)  --    $ 0.21  
Diluted  $ (0.14)  --    $ 0.21    $ (0.07)  --    $ 0.18  
                     
Weighted average shares outstanding                     
Basic  191,916  --    191,916    107,160  --    191,916  
Diluted  191,916  --    225,723  f   107,160  --    225,723  f 
                     
                     
a Adjustment to include Arysta full quarter results for Q1 2015 and Arysta, Chemtura and Agriphar full quarter results for Q1 2014. Refer to separate reconciliation for detail.
                     
b Adjustment to reflect interest expense on debt levels for full quarter.
                     
c Adjustment to reverse net foreign exchange gains primarily on external and intercompany foreign-denominated debt for Q1 2015.
                     
d Adjustment to calculation of estimated effective tax rate of 26.6% and 30.3%, respectively for Q1 2015 and Q1 2014.
                     
e Adjustment for reversal of the income (loss) attributable to the non-controlling interest resulting from the Arysta acquisition for Q1 2015 and the MacDermid acquisition for both Q1 2015 and Q1 2014.
                     
f Non-GAAP Diluted Shares are calculated as follows:
                     
Outstanding shares at March 31, 2015  192,222                  
Shares that would be issued on conversion of Series B Preferred Shares issued in connection with the Arysta transaction  22,108                  
Conversion of exchange rights held by selling stockholders of MacDermid  8,620                  
Common shares equivalent of founder's preferred shares  2,000                  
Vested Director stock options  175                  
Equity awards granted   598                  
Adjusted Diluted shares at March 31, 2015  225,723                  
                     
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION
DETAIL FOR NON-GAAP PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS IN OPERATING PROFIT
     
 (In thousands, except per share amounts)
     
(Unaudited)  Adjustments Adjustments
  2015 2014
     
Adjustments to net sales    
Net sales for pre-acquisition periods  $ 87,484  $ 482,973
Total Adjustments to pro-forma net sales  87,484  482,973
     
Adjustments to cost of sales    
Cost of sales for pre-acquisition periods   54,056  299,343
Reversal of manufacturer's profit in inventory purchase accounting adjustments  (36,100)  (11,956)
Adjustment to reverse incremental depreciation expense from acquisitions  (2,626)  (1,584)
Total Adjustments to pro-forma cost of sales  15,330  285,803
     
Adjustments to selling, technical, general and administrative expense    
Selling, technical, general and administrative expense for pre-acquisition periods   38,752  105,081
Adjustment to reverse contingent consideration fair value adjustment   (2,700)  (13,035)
Adjustment to reverse transaction costs associated with acquisitions  (31,292)  --
Adjustment to reverse incremental amortization expense from acquisitions  (34,247)  (6,620)
Total Adjustments to pro-forma selling, technical, general and administrative expense  (29,487)  85,426
     
Adjustments to research and development expense    
Research and development expense for pre-acquisition periods   3,485  9,336
Total Adjustments to pro-forma research and development expense  $ 3,485  $ 9,336
     
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)    
     
 ($ In thousands)
     
  Three Months Ended
  March 31, March 31,
  2015 2014
     
     
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net loss  $ (26,283)  $ (5,948)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss from operations to net cash flows provided by operating activities:    
Depreciation & amortization  47,936  16,890
Non-cash fair value adjustment to contingent consideration  2,700  13,000
Manufacturer's profit in inventory adjustment  36,100  11,956
Other, net   (1,177)  (2,132)
     
Changes in assets & liabilities, net of acquisitions    
Changes in working capital  (61,159)  (4,877)
Other assets and liabilities  (68,168)  (7,824)
Net cash flows (used in) provided by operating activities  (70,051)  21,065
     
Cash flows from investing activities:    
Capital expenditures, net  (20,842)  (2,025)
Acquisition of business, net  (2,789,155)  5,941
Change in restricted cash  599,946  --
Investment in registrations of products  (8,399)  --
Other, net  155  (1,114)
Net cash flows (used in) provided by investing activities  (2,218,295)  2,802
     
Cash flows from financing activities:    
Proceeds from issuance of long term debt  2,084,011  --
Change in revolving credit facilities, net  157,946  --
Repayments of borrowings  (3,634)  (2,013)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net  1,023  172,463
Payment of debt financing fees, net  (44,592)  --
Other, net  4,134  (191)
Net cash flows provided by financing activities  2,198,888  170,259
     
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents  (10,560)  (562)
     
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents  (100,018)  193,564
     
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  397,280  123,040
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $ 297,262  $ 316,604
     
PLATFORM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CORPORATION
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES TO PRO-FORMA RESULTS
     
(in millions) Q1 2014 Q1 2015
Pro forma net income   $ 41.0  $ 46.4
     
Adjustments to reconcile to pro-forma net income:     
Income tax expense   17.9  16.8
Interest expense  47.2  47.2
Depreciation and amortization expense  27.4  24.1
Other expense   0.4  0.1
     
Pro-Forma Adjusted EBITDA   $ 133.9  $ 134.6


            

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