BRIDGEVIEW, IL--(Marketwired - May 5, 2016) -  Manitex International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MNTX), a leading international provider of cranes and specialized material and container handling equipment, today announced First Quarter 2016 results.

For the three months ended March 31 2016, the Company reported net income attributable to shareholders of Manitex International of $1.5 million or $0.09 per share, on net revenues of $102.4 million, compared to a net loss of ($0.2) million or ($0.01) per share on sales of $101.0 million for the three months ended March 31 2015. Net income attributable to shareholders of Manitex International adjusted for transaction related and restructuring related items for the three months ended March 31 2016 was $0.3 million or $0.02 per share, compared to $1.5 million or $0.10 per share for the three months ended March 31 2015. (The Glossary at the end of this press release contains further details regarding these adjustments).

First Quarter 2016 Financial Highlights:

• Net revenues increased to $102.4 million representing a year-over-year increase of 1.3% from $101.0 million, and an increase of 9.5% from $93.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2015.
• Gross margin of 18.0% compared to adjusted gross margin of 17.4% in the fourth quarter of 2015 and adjusted gross margin of 18.7% in last year's same period.
• Cost reductions of $2.2 million achieved, equal to 40% of 2016 target.
• Adjusted EBITDA of $6.5 million or 6.3% of sales compared to adjusted EBITDA of $7.9 million or 7.8% of sales for the first quarter of 2015.
• Repaid $6.7 million of term debt, including full repayment of US recourse term bank debt.
• Sold non-core terminal tractor product line, realizing after-tax gain of $1.2 million or $0.07 per share.
• Consolidated backlog was $78.6 million at March 31 2016, compared to $82.5 million at December 31, 2015.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, David Langevin, commented, "We started the year off at a reasonable level in light of continued market sluggishness in our sector. At the present time, we see the North American market for straight mast cranes continuing at low levels. However, based upon the order rate in the market for the first quarter, we may have seen the bottom. Further, while the global markets for industrial equipment are running at such low levels, we have the opportunity at this time to concentrate on the stated goals that we outlined in our annual earnings release, namely to execute on our cost reduction programs throughout our company, continue to integrate PM, expand ASV branded distribution, refocus our product line to our higher margin businesses and to continue to reduce debt.

"We are carefully managing our balance sheet and capital resources, and while we reported a total debt at the end of the quarter that was up from year end, it is important to note that this represents a temporary increase in our working capital lines to bridge a $23 million increase in receivables and relatively flat inventory on $8.9 million in higher sales. We have paid down the entirety of our term debt from the PM acquisition in just one year, which represents a portion of the $6.7 million in overall term debt paid down in the quarter and we expect further working capital improvements, net debt reductions, and improved cash conversion throughout the coming year. We believe that successful execution of our strategy, as outlined above, will drive growth of our highest margin products, achieve stronger cash generation, improve our balance sheet, and yield significant returns to our shareholders," Mr. Langevin continued.

(The Glossary at the end of this press release contains further details regarding As Adjusted items).

Lifting Segment Results

• Net revenues increased 5.3% or $3.5 million to $70.2 million for the quarter. PM Group sales reflected a full quarter of sales in 2016 compared to 75 days in the first quarter of 2015, but also showed sales growth in North America and both West and East Europe in particular. PM product mix was relatively stable year over year with the exception of stronger demand in 2016 for aerial platforms. Sales of Manitex straight mast and industrial cranes were down year over year by approximately $3.6 million, with a sales mix skewed to lower capacity units. Sales of military material handling equipment increased year over year with shipments under our long term government contracts ramping up in the quarter.
• Operating income on an adjusted basis was 6.8% of sales compared to 5.7% in 2015. Gross profit for the three months ended March 2016 was adversely affected by lower volumes affecting absorption and higher sales of lower capacity straight mast cranes and chassis which was partially offset by stronger margins on military sales. Lower operating expenses resulting from cost containment actions offset the lower margin on sales.

ASV Segment Results

• Net revenues of $28.5 million were $3.6 million lower than the first quarter of 2015, with the shortfall in revenues resulting from a $5.3 million reduction in demand for undercarriages that offset a 9% increase in sales of machines. Undercarriage sales in the first quarter of 2015 were elevated due to acceleration of orders by the customer to accommodate their production schedules. Sales of machines improved 9% year over year and ASV branded product continued to expand on a quarter over quarter basis. Gross margins were negatively impacted by tighter pricing in certain machine categories which offsetting the improved mix of track loaders compared to skid steers. Operating income of $1.0 million was adversely impacted by reduced gross margin from the lower volume and mix of sales, lowering operating margin to 3.6% for the quarter.
• ASV distribution expanded to 119 locations in North America, up from approximately 100 at the end of 2015 and from zero upon the closing of the transaction. At the end of the quarter ASV now also has its first branded dealers in Canada which is an important market for its product and from which we expect there to be good opportunities.

Equipment Distribution Segment Results

• Net revenues increased $2.1 million to $5.6 million for the quarter ended March 31 2016 compared to the quarter ending March 31 2015. Sales of new and remarketed equipment were lower than the comparative period with the exception of sales at zero margin to expand the division's rental fleet operations. The lower level of retail sales, reflecting the continuing soft demand for equipment, was partially offset by improved parts, service and other revenues. Operating loss on an adjusted basis was ($0.4 million) in the quarter with reduced gross margin and operating expenses including costs related to the expansion of the rental fleet operations.

Andrew Rooke, Manitex International President and Chief Operating Officer, commented, "The first quarter saw further progress with our strategic and operational priorities. Repayments of $6.7 million were made on term debt and at the end of the quarter we had fully repaid the US recourse $14 million term loan for the PM acquisition. Our working capital did increase in the quarter, although we expect this to be largely a temporary effect. The working capital increase came principally from a $23 million increase in receivables driven by the timing and the higher level of sales quarter over quarter, together with the timing of some European shipments at the end of the quarter. Cost reduction and the balancing of activity with demand remain a high focus and despite some significant adverse sales mix comparisons, we achieved a gross margin very comparable with that of the adjusted margin for the first quarter of 2015. Contributing to this are our cost reduction initiatives established in 2015, where we set ourselves a target of $15 million of savings over the three years, 2015 to 2017. We achieved $2.2 million of savings in the first quarter equal to 40% of our annual 2016 target and currently expect to continue to exceed our 2016 target."

Conference Call:

Management will host a conference call at 4:30 PM Eastern Time today to discuss the results with the investment community. Anyone interested in participating in the call should dial 888-510-1786 if calling within the United States or 719-325-2484 if calling internationally. A replay will be available until May 12, 2016 which can be accessed by dialing 877-870-5176 if calling within the United States or 858-384-5517 if calling internationally. Please use passcode 4006554 to access the replay. The call will additionally be broadcast live and archived for 90 days over the internet with accompanying slides, accessible at the investor relations portion of the Company's corporate website, www.manitexinternational.com/eventspresentations.aspx.

About Manitex International, Inc.

Manitex International, Inc. is a leading worldwide provider of highly engineered specialized equipment including boom truck, truck and knuckle boom cranes, container handling equipment and reach stackers, rough terrain forklifts, and other related equipment. Our products, which are manufactured in facilities located in the USA, Canada, and Italy, are targeted to selected niche markets where their unique designs and engineering excellence fill the needs of our customers and provide a competitive advantage. We have consistently added to our portfolio of branded products and equipment both through internal development and focused acquisitions to diversify and expand our sales and profit base while remaining committed to our niche market strategy. Our brands include Manitex, PM, O&S, CVS Ferrari, Badger, Liftking, Sabre, and Valla. ASV, our venture with Terex Corporation, manufactures and sells a line of high quality compact track and skid steer loaders.

Forward-Looking Statement

Safe Harbor Statement under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release contains statements that are forward-looking in nature which express the beliefs and expectations of management including statements regarding the Company's expected results of operations or liquidity; statements concerning projections, predictions, expectations, estimates or forecasts as to our business, financial and operational results and future economic performance; and statements of management's goals and objectives and other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "anticipate," "estimate," "plan," "project," "continuing," "ongoing," "expect," "we believe," "we intend," "may," "will," "should," "could," and similar expressions. Such statements are based on current plans, estimates and expectations and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company's future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors and additional information are discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and statements in this release should be evaluated in light of these important factors. Although we believe that these statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, we cannot guarantee future results. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Supplemental Information

In an effort to provide investors with additional information regarding the Company's results, Manitex International refers to various non-GAAP (U.S. generally accepted accounting principles) financial measures which management believes provides useful information to investors. These non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures being disclosed by other companies. In addition, the Company believes that non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, and not in lieu of, GAAP financial measures. Manitex International believes that this information is useful to understanding its operating results and the ongoing performance of its underlying businesses. Management of Manitex International uses both GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures to establish internal budgets and targets and to evaluate the Company's financial performance against such budgets and targets. The amounts described below are unaudited, are reported in thousands of U.S. dollars, and are as of, or for the three month period ended March 31, 2016, unless otherwise indicated.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release includes the following non-GAAP financial measures: "Adjusted EBITDA" (GAAP Operating Income adjusted for acquisition transaction related expense, restructuring and related expense, and Foreign exchange and other, and depreciation and amortization) and Adjusted Net Income (net income attributable to Manitex shareholders adjusted for acquisition transaction related and restructuring and related expense, net of tax, and change in net income attributable to noncontrolling interest). These non-GAAP terms, as defined by the Company, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Neither Adjusted Net Income nor Adjusted EBITDA are a measure of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles. Items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income are significant components in understanding and assessing financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net earnings, operating income and other consolidated earnings data prepared in accordance with GAAP or as a measure of our profitability. A reconciliation of Operating Income to Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income is provided below.

The Company's management believes that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of sales and Adjusted Net Income represent key operating metrics for its business. GAAP Operating Income adjusted for acquisition transaction related expense, restructuring and related expense, Foreign exchange and other, and depreciation and amortization (Adjusted EBITDA), and Adjusted Net Income, GAAP net income adjusted for acquisition transaction and restructuring related expense are a key indicator used by management to evaluate operating performance. While Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income are not intended to replace any presentation included in our consolidated financial statements under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and should not be considered an alternative to operating performance or an alternative to cash flow as a measure of liquidity, we believe these measures are useful to investors in assessing our operating results, capital expenditure and working capital requirements and the ongoing performance of its underlying businesses. These calculations may differ in method of calculation from similarly titled measures used by other companies. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income to GAAP financial measures for the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2016 is included with this press release below and with the Company's related Form 8-K.

Transaction and restructuring related expense

After tax expense and per share amounts (Adjusted Net Income) are calculated using pre-tax amounts, applying a tax rate based on the effective tax rate to arrive at an after-tax amount. This number is divided by the weighted average diluted shares to provide the impact on earnings per share. The company assesses the impact of these items because when discussing earnings per share, the Company adjusts for items it believes are not reflective of operating activities in the periods.

Backlog

Backlog is defined as purchase orders that have been received by the Company. The disclosure of backlog aids in the analysis the Company's customers' demand for product, as well as the ability of the Company to meet that demand. Backlog is not necessarily indicative of sales to be recognized in a specified future period.

Current Ratio is calculated by dividing current assets by current liabilities.

Days Sales Outstanding, (DSO), is calculated by taking the sum of net trade and related party receivables divided by annualized sales per day (sales for the quarter, multiplied by 4, and the sum divided by 365).

Days Payables Outstanding, (DPO), is calculated by taking the sum of net trade and related party payables divided by annualized cost of sales per day (cost of goods sold for the quarter, multiplied by 4, and the sum divided by 365).

Debt is calculated using the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet amounts for current and long term portion of long term debt, capital lease obligations, notes payable, convertible notes and revolving credit facilities. Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio is calculated by dividing total debt at the balance sheet date by trailing twelve month Adjusted EBITDA.

Interest Cover is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA (GAAP Operating Income adjusted for acquisition transaction expense and restructuring related expense and other exceptional costs and depreciation and amortization) for the trailing twelve month period by interest expense as reported in the Consolidated Statement of Income for the same period.

Inventory turns are calculated by multiplying cost of goods sold for the referenced three month period by 4 and dividing that figure by inventory as at the referenced period.

Operating Working Capital is calculated using the Consolidated Balance Sheet amounts for Trade receivables (net of allowance) plus inventories, less Accounts payable. The Company considers excessive working capital as an inefficient use of resources, and seeks to minimize the level of investment without adversely impacting the ongoing operations of the business.

Trailing Three Month Annualized Net Sales is calculated using the net sales for quarter, multiplied by four.

Working capital is calculated as total current assets less total current liabilities