Willdan Reports First Quarter 2008 Financial Results

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May 08, 2008

Willdan Reports First Quarter 2008 Financial Results

ANAHEIM, Calif., May 08, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Willdan Group, Inc. ("Willdan") (NASDAQ:WLDN) announces financial results for its first quarter ended March 28, 2008.

For the first quarter of 2008, Willdan reported total contract revenue of $17.8 million and net income of $0.1 million, or $0.02 per basic and diluted share.

Tom Brisbin, Willdan's Chief Executive Officer, stated: "While revenue in our first quarter was down, we generated positive cash flow from operations and contained our costs. I'm confident that the operational changes we made last year to improve productivity and position Willdan to win new and different kinds of work will translate into growth and improved performance in 2008. In spite of difficult economic conditions, our outlook for 2008 remains unchanged."

First Quarter 2008 Results

For the first quarter of fiscal 2008, revenue was $17.8 million, down $1.5 million, or 7.7%, from revenue of $19.3 million for the comparable period last year. On a sequential basis, revenue was down $0.9 million, or 4.8% from the fourth quarter of 2007. Income from operations was slightly greater than break-even at $43,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 2008, up $1.1 million from a loss from operations of $1.1 million for the comparable period last year. On a sequential basis, income from operations was down $0.2 million, or 84.9% over the fourth quarter of 2007.

Net income was $0.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2008, up $0.4 million from the comparable period last year and down $0.2 million, or 59.0%, on a sequential basis.

Basic and diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 were $0.02 as compared to basic and diluted loss per share of $0.03 for the comparable period last year.

Willdan generated cash flow from operations of $1.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2008 and its balance sheet at March 28, 2008 reflected cash, cash equivalents and liquid investments of $17.4 million, working capital of $30.6 million and stockholders' equity of $35.9 million.

                                                  Three Months Ended
                                                  -------------------
                                                  Mar. 28,  Mar. 30,
In thousands (except EPS data)                      2008      2007
                                                  --------- ---------
Revenue                                             $17,776   $19,268
                                                  -------------------

Income (loss) from operations                            43    (1,077)
  Interest expense reversal, net                         20       574
  Interest income and other, net                        148       180
  Income tax expense (benefit)                           95       (73)
                                                  --------- ---------
Net income                                          $   116   $  (250)
                                                  ========= =========


Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share         $  0.02   $ (0.03)
                                                  ========= =========

Weighted average shares outstanding:
  Basic and diluted                                   7,155     7,148
                                                  ========= =========

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.

Willdan continues to expect to report revenue between $80 and $83 million for fiscal year 2008.

Conference Call and Webcast

Chief Executive Officer Thomas Brisbin and Chief Financial Officer Kimberly Gant plan to host a conference call on May 8, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern/2:00 p.m. Pacific to further discuss Willdan'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 Investors: Events.

The telephonic replay of the conference call may be accessed approximately two hours after the call through May 22, 2008, by dialing 800-405-2236 (303-590-3000 for international callers). The replay access code is 11113786#. 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 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

                                             March 28,    December 28,
                                                2008          2007
                                            ------------  ------------
                   Assets                    (unaudited)
Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                $ 13,095,000 $  15,511,000
   Liquid investments                          4,265,000     1,300,000
                                             -----------  ------------
      Cash, cash equivalents and liquid
       investments                            17,360,000    16,811,000

   Accounts receivable, net of allowance for
    doubtful accounts of $424,000 and
    $372,000 at March 28, 2008 and December
    28, 2007, respectively                    12,988,000    15,090,000
   Costs and estimated earnings in excess of
    billings on uncompleted contracts          8,303,000     7,336,000
   Other receivables                             121,000       157,000
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets   1,717,000     2,067,000
                                             -----------  ------------
               Total current assets           40,489,000    41,461,000

Equipment and leasehold improvements, net      3,121,000     3,354,000
Goodwill                                       2,911,000     2,911,000
Other assets                                     500,000       500,000
                                             -----------  ------------
               Total assets                 $ 47,021,000 $  48,226,000
                                             ===========  ============

          Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
    Excess of outstanding checks over bank
     balance                                $    838,000 $     633,000
    Accounts payable                           1,553,000     1,136,000
    Accrued liabilities                        3,953,000     5,314,000
    Billings in excess of costs and
     estimated earnings on uncompleted
     contracts                                   706,000       941,000
    Notes payable                                653,000     1,088,000
    Current portion of capital lease
     obligations                                 178,000       176,000
    Current portion of deferred income taxes   2,002,000     2,002,000
                                             -----------  ------------
               Total current liabilities       9,883,000    11,290,000

Capital lease obligations, less current
 portion                                         238,000       283,000
Deferred lease obligations                       603,000       606,000
Deferred income taxes, net of current
 portion                                         395,000       395,000
                                             -----------  ------------
               Total liabilities              11,119,000    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 March 28, 2008 and
     December 28, 2007, respectively              71,000        71,000
    Additional paid-in capital                32,930,000    32,796,000
    Retained earnings                          2,901,000     2,785,000
                                             -----------  ------------
               Total stockholders' equity     35,902,000    35,652,000
                                             -----------  ------------
               Total liabilities and
                stockholders' equity        $ 47,021,000 $  48,226,000
                                             ===========  ============



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

                                                 Three Months Ended
                                               -----------------------
                                               March 28,    March 30,
                                                  2008        2007
                                               ----------  -----------

Contract revenue                              $17,776,000 $19,268,000
                                               ----------  -----------

Direct costs of contract revenue:
   Salaries and wages                           5,544,000   6,484,000
   Production expenses                            315,000     344,000
   Subconsultant services                       1,275,000   1,059,000
                                               ----------  -----------
             Total direct costs of contract
              revenue                           7,134,000   7,887,000
                                               ----------  -----------

General and administrative expenses:
   Salaries and wages, payroll taxes and
    employee benefits                           6,442,000   7,371,000
   Facilities                                   1,148,000   1,102,000
   Stock-based compensation                        93,000      16,000
   Depreciation and amortization                  394,000     447,000
   Other                                        2,522,000   3,522,000
                                               ----------  -----------
             Total general and administrative
              expenses                         10,599,000  12,458,000
                                               ----------  -----------
             Income (loss) from operations         43,000  (1,077,000)
                                               ----------  -----------

Other income (expense):
   Interest expense reversal, net                  20,000     574,000
   Interest income and other, net                 148,000     180,000
                                               ----------  -----------
             Total other income                   168,000     754,000
                                               ----------  -----------
             Income (loss) before income tax
              expense                             211,000    (323,000)

Income tax expense (benefit)                       95,000     (73,000)
                                               ----------  -----------
             Net income (loss)                $   116,000 $  (250,000)
                                               ==========  ===========

Earnings (loss) per share:
             Basic and diluted                $      0.02 $     (0.03)
                                               ==========  ===========

Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted                               7,155,000   7,148,000
                                               ==========  ===========



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

                                                Three Months Ended
                                             -------------------------
                                              March 28,     March 30,
                                                 2008         2007
                                             ------------  -----------
Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net income (loss)                         $   116,000  $  (250,000)
   Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss)
    to net cash provided by (used in)
    operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization              394,000      447,000
      Loss on sale of equipment                   39,000        9,000
      Allowance for doubtful accounts             52,000       35,000
      Stock-based compensation                    93,000       16,000
      Changes in operating assets and
       liabilities:
         Accounts receivable                   2,050,000      198,000
         Costs and estimated earnings in
          excess of billing on uncompleted
          contracts                             (967,000)    (519,000)
         Other receivables                        36,000    3,276,000
         Prepaid expenses and other current
          assets                                 350,000      110,000
         Other assets                             (7,000)      10,000
         Accounts payable                        417,000       69,000
         Accrued liabilities                  (1,361,000)  (9,450,000)
         Billings in excess of costs and
          estimated earnings on uncompleted
          contracts                             (235,000)     (65,000)
         Deferred lease obligations               (3,000)      (7,000)
                                              -----------  -----------
             Net cash provided by (used in)
              operating activities               974,000   (6,121,000)
                                              -----------  -----------

Cash flows from investing activities:
   Purchase of equipment and leasehold
    improvements                                (193,000)    (356,000)
   Proceeds from sale of equipment                    --       27,000
   Purchase of liquid investments             (7,100,000)          --
   Proceeds from sale of liquid investments    4,135,000           --
                                              -----------  -----------
             Net cash used in investing
              activities                      (3,158,000)   (329 ,000)
                                              -----------  -----------

Cash flows from financing activities:
   Changes in excess of outstanding checks
    over bank balance                            205,000      473,000
   Payments on notes payable                   (435 ,000)    (344,000)
   Principal payments on capital leases          (43,000)     (45,000)
   Proceeds from sales of common stock under
    employee stock purchase plan                  41,000           --
   Distributions to holders of redeemable
    common stock                                      --   (3,150,000)
   Payment of offering costs                          --      (11,000)
                                              -----------  -----------
             Net cash used in financing
              activities                        (232,000)  (3,077,000)
                                              -----------  -----------
             Net decrease in cash and cash
              equivalents                     (2,416,000)  (9,527,000)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the
 period                                       15,511,000   20,633,000
                                              -----------  -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the
 period                                      $13,095,000  $11,106,000
                                              ===========  ===========

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow
 information:
    Cash paid during the period for:
        Interest                             $    27,000  $    31,000
        Income taxes                             385,000      378,000

Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing
 and financing activities:
   Equipment acquired under capital leases   $        --  $     1,000

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures: Adjusted EBITDA

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.

For the three months ended March 28, 2008, Adjusted EBITDA was $0.5 million as compared to $(0.6) million for the comparable period last year.

The following is a reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands):

                                                   Three Months Ended
                                                  --------------------
                                                  March 28,  March 30,
                                                    2008       2007
                                                  ---------  ---------

Net income (loss)                                $     116  $    (250)
Interest income                                       (148)      (180)
Interest expense reversal                             ( 20)      (574)
Income tax expense (benefit)                            95        (73)
Depreciation and amortization                          394        447
Loss on sale of assets                                  39          9
                                                  ---------  ---------
Adjusted EBITDA                                  $     476  $    (621)
                                                  =========  =========

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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