Willdan Reports Second Quarter 2008 Financial Results

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Aug 07, 2008

Willdan Reports Second Quarter 2008 Financial Results

ANAHEIM, Calif., Aug 07, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Willdan Group, Inc. ("Willdan") (NASDAQ:WLDN), announces financial results for its second quarter ended June 27, 2008.

For the second quarter of 2008, Willdan reported total contract revenue of $17.8 million and a net loss of $0.1 million, or $0.01 loss per basic and diluted share.

On June 9, 2008, Willdan purchased the outstanding stock of Intergy Corporation ("Intergy"), a California-based consulting firm that assists companies, institutions and agencies with planning and implementing their energy efficiency, water conservation, and renewable energy strategies. Intergy's results of operations from June 9 to June 27, 2008 are included in the consolidated results of Willdan.

Tom Brisbin, Willdan's Chief Executive Officer, stated: "In the second quarter, we continued to see a general decline in the markets we have traditionally served. While our financial results were below plan, we continue to collect cash and we are making tangible progress in executing our strategy of diversifying services. I'm particularly excited about our acquisition of Intergy, which provides us an entirely new service offering in an accelerating area--energy efficiency and sustainability. Demand for energy efficiency solutions is growing and both governments and institutions consider it an essential area of investment. We also made some key new hires, including Mike Deblieux, who will lead Willdan Management Services' efforts to help clients implement effective leadership techniques and practices.

"We believe we have the right strategy in place to succeed in the long-term. We will continue to focus on expanding our service offerings to diversify our revenue base, and to leverage our centralized new business development team to cross sell business and win new and different types of work," concluded Brisbin.

Second Quarter 2008 Results

For the second quarter of fiscal 2008, revenue was $17.8 million, down $3.4 million, or 16.0%, from revenue of $21.2 million for the comparable period last year. On a sequential basis, revenue was essentially flat from the first quarter of 2008. Loss from operations was $0.1 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2008, down $1.8 million, or 107.7%, from income from operations of $1.7 million for the comparable period last year. On a sequential basis, income from operations was down $0.1 million from the first quarter of 2008.

Net loss was $0.1 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2008, down $1.1 million from net income of $1.1 million in the comparable period last year and down $0.2 million on a sequential basis.

Basic and diluted loss per share for the second quarter of fiscal 2008 was $0.01 as compared to basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.15 for the comparable period last year.

Willdan generated cash flow from operations of $0.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2008.

Six Months 2008 Results

For the six months ended June 27, 2008, revenue was $35.6 million, down $4.9 million, or 12.0% from revenue of $40.4 million for the comparable period last year. Loss from operations was $0.1 million for the six months ended June 27, 2008, $0.7 million less than income from operations of $0.6 million for the comparable period last year. Net income was $0.1 million for the six months ended June 27, 2008, $0.7 million less than net income of $0.8 million for the comparable period last year.

Basic and diluted income per share for the six months ended June 27, 2008 were $0.01 as compared to basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.11 for the comparable period last year.

Willdan generated cash flow from operations of $1.9 million in the six months ended June 27, 2008.

                               Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
                               ------------------- -------------------
                               June 27,  June 29,  June 27,  June 29,
In thousands (except EPS data)   2008      2007      2008      2007
                               --------  --------- --------  ---------
Revenue                        $ 17,807  $  21,180 $ 35,583  $  40,448
                               --------  --------- --------  ---------

(Loss) income from operations      (130)     1,688      (87)       581
  Interest expense, net of
   reversal                         (22)       (24)      (2)       550
  Interest income and other
   income, net                      113        148      261        328
  Income tax expense                 16        754      111        651
                               --------  --------- --------  ---------
Net (loss) income              $    (55) $   1,058 $     61  $     808
                               ========  ========= ========  =========

Basic and diluted (loss)
 income per share:             $  (0.01) $    0.15 $   0.01  $    0.11

Weighted average shares
 outstanding:
  Basic                           7,156      7,148    7,156      7,148
  Diluted                         7,157      7,151    7,157      7,150

Outlook

The following statement is based on current expectations. This statement is forward-looking and actual results could differ materially from current expectations. This outlook should be read in conjunction with the information on forward-looking statements at the end of this press release.

Based on our first half results and the outlook for the remainder of the year, Willdan has revised its fiscal 2008 revenue guidance down to between $72 million and $75 million from the previous range of between $80 million and $83 million. Management believes this decline may be somewhat offset by new initiatives and revenue from Intergy.

Conference Call and Webcast

Chief Executive Officer Thomas Brisbin and Chief Financial Officer Kimberly Gant plan to host a conference call on August 7, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern/2:00 p.m. Pacific to further discuss the Company's financial results and business developments.

Interested parties may access the conference call by dialing 800-218-0713 (303-262-2211 for international callers). When prompted, ask for the "Willdan Group Investor Conference Call." The conference call will be webcast simultaneously on Willdan's website at www.willdan.com under Investor Relations: Events.

The telephonic replay of the conference call may be accessed approximately two hours after the call through August 21, 2008, by dialing 800-405-2236 (303-590-3000 for international callers). The replay access code is 11117963#. The webcast replay will be archived for 12 months.

About Willdan Group, Inc.

Founded over 40 years ago, Willdan Group, Inc. is a leading provider of outsourced services to public agencies located primarily in California and other western states. Willdan Group, Inc. assists cities and other government agencies with a broad range of services, including civil engineering, building and safety services, geotechnical engineering, financial, management and economic consulting, and disaster preparedness and homeland security. www.willdan.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Safe Harbor Statement: Statements in this press release which are not purely historical, including statements regarding Willdan Group's intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations, representations, projections, estimates, plans or predictions of the future are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the risk that the Company will not be able to expand its services or meet the needs of customers in markets in which it operates. It is important to note that the Company's actual results could differ materially from those in any such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, a slowdown in the local and regional economies of the states where Willdan conducts business and the loss of or inability to hire additional qualified professionals. The Company's business could be affected by a number of other factors, including the risk factors listed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports including, but not limited to, the Form 10-K annual report for the year ended December 28, 2007 filed on March 27, 2008. The Company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Willdan Group, Inc. disclaims any obligation, and does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this press release.

                 WILLDAN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                             (Unaudited)

                                               June 27,   December 28,
                                                 2008         2007
                                              ----------  ------------
                   Assets
Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                 $ 6,226,000 $  15,511,000
   Liquid investments                          1,375,000     1,300,000
                                              ----------  ------------
      Cash, cash equivalents and liquid
       investments                             7,601,000    16,811,000

   Accounts receivable, net of allowance for
    doubtful accounts of $538,000 and
    $372,000 at June 27, 2008 and December
    28, 2007, respectively                    16,187,000    15,090,000
   Costs and estimated earnings in excess of
    billings on uncompleted contracts          7,573,000     7,336,000
   Other receivables                             167,000       157,000
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets   1,632,000     2,067,000
                                              ----------  ------------
               Total current assets           33,160,000    41,461,000

Equipment and leasehold improvements, net      2,954,000     3,354,000
Goodwill                                      10,818,000     2,911,000
Other assets                                   2,172,000       500,000
                                              ----------  ------------
               Total assets                  $49,104,000 $  48,226,000
                                              ==========  ============

    Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
    Excess of outstanding checks over bank
     balance                                 $   437,000 $     633,000
    Accounts payable                           2,773,000     1,136,000
    Accrued liabilities                        4,366,000     5,314,000
    Purchase price payable                     1,000,000            --
    Billings in excess of costs and
     estimated earnings on uncompleted
     contracts                                   832,000       941,000
    Current portion of notes payable             373,000     1,088,000
    Current portion of capital lease
     obligations                                 180,000       176,000
    Current portion of deferred income taxes   2,002,000     2,002,000
                                              ----------  ------------
               Total current liabilities      11,963,000    11,290,000

Notes payable, less current portion.              43,000            --
Capital lease obligations, less current
 portion                                         217,000       283,000
Deferred lease obligations                       578,000       606,000
Deferred income taxes, net of current
 portion                                         395,000       395,000
                                              ----------  ------------
               Total liabilities              13,196,000    12,574,000
                                              ----------  ------------

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders' equity:
    Preferred stock, $0.01 par value,
     10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares
     issued and outstanding                           --            --
    Common stock, $0.01 par value,
     40,000,000 shares authorized:
       7,156,000 and 7,150,000 shares issued
        and outstanding at June 27, 2008 and
        December 28, 2007, respectively           71,000        71,000
    Additional paid-in capital                32,991,000    32,796,000
    Retained earnings                          2,846,000     2,785,000
                                              ----------  ------------
               Total stockholders' equity     35,908,000    35,652,000
                                              ----------  ------------
               Total liabilities and
                stockholders' equity         $49,104,000 $  48,226,000
                                              ==========  ============

                 WILLDAN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
           CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                             (Unaudited)

                          Three Months Ended       Six Months Ended
                        ----------------------  ----------------------
                         June 27,    June 29,    June 27,    June 29,
                           2008        2007        2008        2007
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

Contract revenue       $17,807,000 $21,180,000 $35,583,000 $40,448,000
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

Direct costs of
 contract revenue:
   Salaries and wages    5,538,000   6,917,000  11,082,000  13,401,000
   Production expenses     522,000     453,000     837,000     797,000
   Subconsultant
    services             1,539,000   1,192,000   2,814,000   2,251,000
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
      Total direct
       costs of
       contract
       revenue           7,599,000   8,562,000  14,733,000  16,449,000
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

General and
 administrative
 expenses:
   Salaries and wages,
    payroll taxes and
    employee benefits    5,927,000   5,906,000  12,369,000  13,277,000
   Facilities            1,174,000   1,158,000   2,322,000   2,260,000
   Stock-based
    compensation            61,000      51,000     154,000      67,000
   Depreciation and
    amortization           440,000     449,000     834,000     896,000
   Other                 2,736,000   3,366,000   5,258,000   6,918,000
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
      Total general
       and
       administrative
       expenses         10,338,000  10,930,000  20,937,000  23,418,000
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
     (Loss) income
      from operations     (130,000)  1,688,000     (87,000)    581,000
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

Other income
 (expense):
   Interest expense,
    net of reversal        (22,000)    (24,000)     (2,000)    550,000
   Interest and other
    income, net            113,000     148,000     261,000     328,000
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
     Total other
      income, net           91,000     124,000     259,000     878,000
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
     (Loss) income
      before income
      tax expense          (39,000)  1,812,000     172,000   1,459,000

Income tax expense          16,000     754,000     111,000     651,000
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
     Net (loss) income $   (55,000)$ 1,058,000 $    61,000 $   808,000
                        ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========

(Loss) earnings per
 share:
     Basic and diluted $     (0.01)$      0.15 $      0.01 $      0.11
                        ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========

Weighted-average
 shares outstanding:
   Basic                 7,156,000   7,148,000   7,156,000   7,148,000
                        ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========
   Diluted               7,157,000   7,151,000   7,157,000   7,150,000
                        ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========

                 WILLDAN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
           CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                             (Unaudited)

                                                 Six Months Ended
                                             -------------------------
                                              June 27,      June 29,
                                                2008          2007
                                             -----------  ------------
Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net income                               $     61,000 $    808,000
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to
    net cash provided by (used in) operating
    activities:
        Depreciation and amortization            834,000      896,000
        Loss on sale of equipment                 20,000       10,000
        Allowance for doubtful accounts          146,000       91,000
        Stock-based compensation                 154,000       67,000
        Changes in operating assets and
         liabilities, net of the effects
         from the purchase of Intergy
         Corporation in 2008:
          Accounts receivable                  1,511,000     (285,000)
          Costs and estimated earnings in
           excess of billing on uncompleted
           contracts                            (237,000)    (886,000)
          Other receivables                      (10,000)   3,190,000
          Prepaid expenses and other current
           assets                                443,000      482,000
          Other assets                           (86,000)      26,000
          Accounts payable                       476,000     (406,000)
          Accrued liabilities                 (1,290,000)  (8,025,000)
          Billings in excess of costs and
           estimated earnings on uncompleted
           contracts                            (109,000)      44,000
          Deferred income taxes                       --           --
          Deferred lease obligations             (28,000)      99,000
                                             -----------  ------------
               Net cash provided by (used
                in) operating activities       1,885,000   (3,889,000)
                                             -----------  ------------

Cash flows from investing activities:
   Purchase of equipment and leasehold
    improvements                                (369,000)    (468,000)
   Proceeds from sale of equipment                49,000       27,000
   Payment for business acquisition, net of
    cash acquired                             (9,760,000)          --
   Purchase of liquid investments             (7,100,000) (12,600,000)
   Proceeds from sale of liquid investments    7,025,000    4,900,000
                                             -----------  ------------
               Net cash used in investing
                activities                   (10,155,000)  (8,141,000)
                                             -----------  ------------

Cash flows from financing activities:
   Changes in excess of outstanding checks
    over bank balance                           (196,000)     395,000
   Payments on notes payable                    (772,000)    (769,000)
   Principal payments on capital leases          (88,000)     (89,000)
   Proceeds from employee stock purchase
    plan                                          41,000           --
   Distributions to holders of redeemable
    common stock                                      --   (3,150,000)
   Refund of offering costs                           --       10,000
                                             -----------  ------------
               Net cash used in financing
                activities                    (1,015,000)  (3,603,000)
                                             -----------  ------------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents     (9,285,000) (15,633,000)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
 the period                                   15,511,000   20,633,000
                                             -----------  ------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the
 period                                     $  6,226,000 $  5,000,000
                                             ===========  ============

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow
 information:
    Cash paid during the period for:
        Interest                                  50,000       49,000
        Income taxes                             636,000      424,000
Supplemental disclosures of noncash
 investing and financing activities:
   Equipment acquired under capital leases        29,000       29,000
   Note payable issued in connection with
    acquisition of assets                        100,000           --
   Purchase price payable                      1,000,000           --

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted EBITDA is a supplemental measure used by our management to measure our operating performance. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income plus net interest expense, income tax expense (benefit), depreciation and amortization, and loss (gain) on sales of assets. Our definition of Adjusted EBITDA may differ from those of many companies reporting similarly named measures. This measure should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, such as operating income and net income. We believe Adjusted EBITDA enables management to separate non-recurring income and expense items from our results of operations to provide a more normalized and consistent view of operating performance on a period-to-period basis. We use Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate our performance for, among other things, budgeting, forecasting and incentive compensation purposes. We also believe Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors, research analysts, investment bankers and lenders because it removes from our operational results the impact of certain non-recurring income and expense items, which may facilitate comparison of our results from period-to-period.

Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized term under GAAP and does not purport to be an alternative to operating income or net income as an indicator of operating performance or any other GAAP measure.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased 48.4% to $0.8 million for the six months ended June 27, 2008 from $1.5 million for the comparable period last year. Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of revenue, decreased to 2.2% for six months ended June 27, 2008 from 3.7% for the comparable period last year.

The following is a reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA:

                                                    Six Months Ended
                                                  --------------------
                                                  June 27,   June 29,
                                                    2008      2007
                                                  --------- ----------

    Net income                                      61,000    808,000
    Interest and other income, net                (261,000)  (328,000)
    Interest expense, net of reversal                2,000   (550,000)
    Income tax expense                             111,000    651,000
    Depreciation and amortization                  834,000    896,000
    Loss on sale of equipment                       20,000     10,000
                                                  --------- ----------
    Adjusted EBITDA                                767,000  1,487,000
                                                  ========= ==========

SOURCE: Willdan Group, Inc.

Willdan Group, Inc.
Kimberly Gant, Chief Financial Officer
714-940-6329
kgant@willdan.com
or
Financial Profiles, Inc.
Moira Conlon
310-277-4907
mconlon@finprofiles.com

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