Transcat Achieves Strong Operating Income Growth on Margin Expansion for Fiscal 2019 First Quarter

Transcat, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRNS) ("Transcat” or the "Company”),

a leading provider of accredited calibration, repair, inspection and laboratory instrument services and value-added distributor of professional grade handheld test, measurement and control instrumentation, today reported financial results for its first quarter ended June 30, 2018 (the "first quarter”) of fiscal year 2019, which ends March 30, 2019 ("fiscal 2019”).

"The operating leverage we believe is inherent in our business combined with the early impact from our operational excellence initiatives were demonstrated in the first quarter with only modest improvement in revenue. Both of our segments saw margin expansion, resulting in enhanced profitability,” commented Lee D. Rudow, President and CEO.

He continued, "Our Service segment organic revenue growth rate was almost 5%, while our new business activity levels were quite strong. We generated a record level of new bookings in the first quarter, which we expect will drive higher levels of growth for the fiscal year as we continue to take market share.

"We maintained solid core new equipment sales volume within our Distribution segment, although we had some softness in our used equipment business. Solid mix, pricing and inventory management enabled significant margin expansion, nonetheless.”

First Quarter Fiscal 2019 Review (Results are compared with the first quarter of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018 ("fiscal 2018”))

*See Note 1 on page 4 for a description of this non-GAAP financial measure and page 9 for the Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation table.

Transcat achieved quarterly revenue of $36.7 million that drove a 4.9% increase in gross profit. General and Administrative expenses declined to $3.1 million as last fiscal year’s first quarter included a $0.3 million one-off non-cash stock-based compensation expense. As a result of the gross margin improvement and cost discipline, operating income grew 43.5%, or $0.6 million, and operating margin expanded 160 basis points. Even when normalizing for the one-off non-cash stock-based compensation expense in last fiscal year’s first quarter, operating income grew 17%. The effective tax rate decreased to 20.7% from 24.8%, largely due to lower U.S. federal tax rates from the December 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Net income for the quarter grew 67% and fully diluted earnings per share increased to $0.19 from $0.12.

Service segment demonstrates operating leverage on nearly 5% organic revenue growth

Represents the accredited calibration, repair, inspection and laboratory instrument services business (53% of total revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2019).

*See Note 1 on page 4 for a description of this non-GAAP financial measure and page 9 for the Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation table.

Service revenue increased 4.6% to $19.3 million, which was comprised of all organic revenue. Higher revenue was the result of new business from the life sciences market and growth in general industrial manufacturing. On a trailing twelve-month basis, Service segment revenue was $78.3 million, up 8.1% when compared with the trailing twelve-month period ending with the prior- fiscal year first quarter.

Segment gross margin improved 40 basis points and operating margin expanded 70 basis points due to the inherent operating leverage in the segment combined with early operational excellence initiatives that drove productivity improvements.

Distribution segment shows improved gross and operating margins

Represents the sale and rental of new and used professional grade handheld test, measurement and control instrumentation (47% of total revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2019).

*See Note 1 on page 4 for a description of this non-GAAP financial measure and page 9 for the Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation table.

The modest decline in sales for the segment reflects lower sales of used equipment that was mostly offset by solid core distribution demand and increased rental revenue of 24% to $0.9 million quarter-over-quarter. There was some sales disruption toward the end of the first quarter as the Company consolidated its Irvine, CA operations with its Los Angeles, CA location as part of the final integration of the Excalibur Engineering, Inc. acquisition made in fiscal year 2017.

Segment gross margin expanded 140 basis points due to the mix of products sold, inventory management, and pricing initiatives that were implemented as part of the Company’s ongoing operational excellence program.

Strong Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Support Growth Strategy

Net cash provided by operating activities was $3.1 million, up from the $2.9 million in cash that was used in operations in the prior-year period. Capital expenditures were $1.9 million for the first quarter. Investments were primarily for assets for the Company’s rental business and customer-driven expansion of Service segment capabilities.

At June 30, 2018, the Company had total debt of $21.5 million, with $22.0 million available for borrowing under its secured revolving credit facility. The Company’s leverage ratio, as defined in its credit agreement, was 1.28 at June 30, 2018, compared with 1.40 at fiscal 2018 year-end.

Outlook

Mr. Rudow added, "Acquisitions will continue to be incremental to our overall growth expectations. Near quarter-end, we completed a small tuck-in purchase, NBS Calibrations, Inc. ("NBS”), which will be consolidated with our Phoenix, AZ facility. NBS both leverages our existing infrastructure and adds a capability in liquid and gas flow meter calibrations to our offerings. Historically outsourced, we now have the capability in-house creating a niche service we can continue to expand. In addition to closing NBS, our current acquisition pipeline is active and we believe we have a strong balance sheet to execute our growth strategy.”

Mr. Rudow concluded, "We expect to deliver solid fiscal 2019 results. Our strong and unique value proposition continues to resonate in the market, and recent new business wins in our Service segment support our confidence level. The Distribution business is also expected to continue to generate significant cash, provide differentiation in the market and foster Service growth opportunities. And, with a continued focus on leveraging technology as a competitive advantage, over the long-term, we believe we can drive higher margins in both segments.”

Transcat expects its income tax rate to range between 25% and 27% for full year fiscal 2019.

The Company’s expected capital expenditure plan for fiscal 2019 remains in the $7.0 million to $7.5 million range. Capital investments will be primarily focused on technology infrastructure to drive operational excellence and organic growth opportunities within both operating segments, and for rental pool assets.

Webcast and Conference Call

Transcat will host a conference call and webcast on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. ET. Management will review the financial and operating results for the first quarter, as well as the Company’s strategy and outlook. A question and answer session will follow the formal discussion. The review will be accompanied by a slide presentation, which will be available at www.transcat.com/investor-relations. The conference call can be accessed by calling (201) 689-8471. Alternatively, the webcast can be monitored at www.transcat.com/investor-relations.

A telephonic replay will be available from 2:00 p.m. ET on the day of the call until Wednesday, August 1, 2018. To listen to the archived call, dial (412) 317-6671 and enter conference ID number 13680879, or access the webcast replay at www.transcat.com/investor-relations, where a transcript will be posted once available.

NOTE 1 – Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to reporting net income, a U.S. generally accepted accounting principle ("GAAP”) measure, we present Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and non-cash stock-based compensation expense), which is a non-GAAP measure. The Company’s management believes Adjusted EBITDA is an important measure of operating performance because it allows management, investors and others to evaluate and compare the performance of its core operations from period to period by removing the impact of the capital structure (interest), tangible and intangible asset base (depreciation and amortization), taxes, and stock-based compensation expense, which is not always commensurate with the reporting period in which it is included. As such, the Company uses Adjusted EBITDA as a measure of performance when evaluating its business segments and as a basis for planning and forecasting. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and is not calculated through the application of GAAP. As such, it should not be considered as a substitute for the GAAP measure of net income and, therefore, should not be used in isolation of, but in conjunction with, the GAAP measure. Adjusted EBITDA, as presented, may produce results that vary from the GAAP measure and may not be comparable to a similarly defined non-GAAP measure used by other companies. See the attached Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation table on page 9.

ABOUT TRANSCAT

Transcat, Inc. is a leading provider of accredited calibration, repair, inspection and laboratory instrument services. The Company is focused on providing best-in-class services and products to highly regulated industries, including life science, aerospace and defense, pharmaceutical, medical device manufacturing and biotechnology. Transcat provides permanent and periodic on-site services, mobile calibration services and in-house services through 21 Calibration Service Centers strategically located across the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. The breadth and depth of measurement parameters addressed by Transcat’s ISO/IEC 17025 scopes of accreditation are believed to be the best in the industry.

Transcat also operates as a leading value-added distributor that markets, sells and rents new and used national and proprietary brand instruments to customers primarily in North America. The Company believes its combined Service and Distribution segment offerings, experience, technical expertise and integrity create a unique and compelling value proposition for its customers.

Transcat’s growth strategy is to leverage the complementary nature of its two operating segments, its comprehensive service capabilities, strong brand, enhanced e-commerce capabilities and leading distribution platform to drive organic sales growth. The Company will also look to expand its addressable calibration market through acquisitions and capability investments to further realize its inherent leverage of its business model.

More information about Transcat can be found at: Transcat.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact and thus are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are identified by words such as "expects,” "estimates,” "projects,” "anticipates,” "believes,” "could,” and other similar words. All statements addressing operating performance, events or developments that Transcat, Inc. expects or anticipates will occur in the future, including but not limited to statements relating to anticipated revenue, profit margins, sales operations, capital expenditures, cash flows, operating income, growth strategy, segment growth, potential acquisitions, integration of acquired businesses, market position, customer preferences, outlook and changes in market conditions in the industries in which Transcat operates are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should be evaluated in light of important risk factors and uncertainties. These risk factors and uncertainties are more fully described in Transcat’s Annual Report and Quarterly Reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the heading entitled "Risk Factors.” Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of the Company’s underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those currently anticipated. In addition, undue reliance should not be placed on the Company’s forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update, correct or publicly announce any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this news release.

FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180724005803/en/