Sypris Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Results

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Sypris Solutions, Inc. reported financial results for its fourth quarter and full-year ended December 31, 2020. Having completed a series of strategic initiatives over the past several years, Sypris Solutions is now well positioned to achieve long-term growth and increasing margins. These initiatives have included reducing and realigning the Company’s cost structure while diversifying its book of business in terms of both customers and markets.

The Company’s results for 2020 fundamentally reflected these expectations, highlighted by the improved performance of Sypris Electronics. The essential nature of the defense and communication programs served by Sypris Electronics continued to enable this segment to sustain operations at planned levels throughout the year. The commercial vehicle and automotive markets served by Sypris Technologies recovered during the second half of 2020 from the sharp reduction in demand during the second quarter, as the global economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continued to lessen. Favorable market conditions for both segments are forecasted in 2021, positioning the Company for top line growth and expanding margins.

Highlights:

• Consolidated gross margin for the full year 2020 increased 280 basis points from 2019 to 14.0% despite a 6.3% decrease in revenue primarily attributable to the impact of COVID-19 in the second quarter.
• Consolidated gross profit for the full year 2020 improved 17.0% from 2019 and, when combined with lower spending for selling, general and administrative expenses, contributed to a 102.1% increase in operating income compared to 2019.
• Earnings per diluted share for the full year 2020 increased to $0.08 compared to a loss of $0.19 per share for the prior year, reflecting the improvement in operating income and the release of a valuation allowance on certain foreign deferred tax assets.
• Full year 2020 revenue for Sypris Electronics increased 41.3% from the prior year, reflecting its strong backlog and improved electronic component availability. Gross margin improved 1,420 basis points from the prior year to 14.6% in 2020.
• Subsequent to quarter-end, Sypris Electronics announced a contract award to manufacture and test a variety of electronic power supply modules for a mission-critical, long-range, precision-guided anti-ship missile system, with production to begin during 2021.
• Subsequent to quarter-end, Sypris Technologies announced a long-term contract extension with a leading commercial vehicle manufacturer. The new contract continues the existing product lines and includes the award of two additional axle shaft model lines to begin production in 2021 and the adoption of certain Sypris Ultra® series lightweight axle shaft design features.
• Subsequent to quarter-end, Sypris Technologies also announced awards from two high-pressure energy projects. The contracts, which provide for the use of closures in the Anchor Field development project in the Gulf of Mexico and the planned upgrade of a natural gas pipeline system in North America, call for shipments to begin prior to year-end 2021.
• The impact of these recent contract wins, when combined with current positive market conditions, is forecast to fuel an increase of 20% in revenue, a 200 to 300 basis point expansion of margins and strong double-digit percentage growth in cash flow from operations for the year.

“While the economic headwinds and disruptions in 2020 had an impact on our results, we are pleased with our performance during the year. Our operations performed extremely well during 2020 and returned to profitability, despite the adverse conditions incurred during the second quarter, which continued during the course of the year,” commented Jeffrey T. Gill, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Last year presented historic challenges brought on by the pandemic, yet our businesses pulled together to protect our employees, while balancing the needs of our customers, communities and business partners during these difficult times. The effort and execution by our people resulted in a strong performance for the year.

“Full year revenue for Sypris Electronics increased 41.3% from the prior year, reflecting its strong backlog and improved electronic component availability. Gross margin improved 1,420 basis points from the prior year to 14.6% in 2020, and recent contact wins are expected to provide important support for the growth of the business during the coming year. We have been designated as an essential supplier to our customers serving the defense and communications industries and as such, our team has done an excellent job making sure that we were able to provide for their increasing needs during 2020. 

“Demand from customers serving the automotive, commercial vehicle, sport utility, and off-highway markets recovered in the second half of 2020, with Class 8 North American production up almost 32% over the first half. The recent announcement of the long-term contract extension with one of our key customers combined with the improved outlook for these markets, gives us a clear path to support our growth objectives in the coming year. 

“The energy markets faced unprecedented pressures in 2020, with the COVID-19 outbreak driving depressed demand, uncertainty and spending reductions for the entire oil and gas industry. We have remained vigilant in our pursuit of new opportunities in these markets, which has resulted in recent contract awards. While we expect activity levels in this market to remain challenging during the first half of 2021, steadily improving commodity prices, gradually reopening economies and increasing pipeline activity is anticipated to lead to year-over-year growth.

“Gross profit for 2020 was $11.6 million, or 14.0% of revenue, as compared to gross margin of 11.2% for 2019. Given 2020 margin performance includes the burden of the pandemic’s impact on the second quarter, we are pleased to be maintaining this trend line. Our margins have improved steadily since 2016, and we expect further improvement in 2021.”

Concluding, Mr. Gill said, “Our customer base and the markets we serve are considerably more diversified than at any point in our recent history. As an essential business, we have a responsibility to ensure that our defense, communications, energy, and transportation sectors remain vibrant. We will continue to monitor developments, act promptly to mitigate risks and take the necessary steps required to ensure deliveries continue to be made to our customers in a timely manner.”

Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Results

The Company reported revenue of $20.6 million for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2020, compared to $21.6 million for the prior-year period. Additionally, the Company reported a net loss of $1.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2020, or $0.06 per share, compared to a net loss of $0.9 million, or $0.04 per share, for the prior-year period. Results for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, include a loss of $0.6 million on the disposal of assets. Results for the quarter ended December 31, 2019, include a $0.2 million gain on the sale of assets.

For the full-year 2020, the Company reported revenue of $82.3 million compared with $87.9 million for the prior year. The Company reported net income of $1.7 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, for 2020 compared with a net loss of $3.9 million, or $0.19 per share, for the prior-year. Results for 2020 include an income tax benefit of $3.0 million, primarily from the release of a valuation allowance on certain foreign deferred tax assets and net gains of $0.2 million from the sale or disposal of idle assets. Results for 2019 include a gain of $1.5 million in connection with a contract settlement with a customer and net gains of $0.7 million from the sale of idle assets, partially offset by costs of $0.5 million related to preparing the Broadway facility for sale.

Sypris Technologies

Revenue for Sypris Technologies was $12.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to $13.0 million for the prior-year period, primarily reflecting reduced demand in the oil and gas market partially offset by a rebound in the commercial vehicle market. Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $1.5 million, or 12.7% of revenue, compared to $2.0 million, or 15.4% of revenue, for the same period in 2019.

Sypris Electronics

Revenue for Sypris Electronics was $8.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to $8.6 million for the prior-year period. Shipments during the fourth quarter of 2020 were impacted by delays on certain programs due to customer design modifications. However, management was able to largely offset these delays by increasing production on other programs, reflecting the impact of a growing backlog. Additionally, many of the challenges faced during the prior year with electronic component shortages and extensive lead-times have been resolved. Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $1.0 million, or 11.9% of revenue, compared to $0.7 million, or 8.2% of revenue, for the same period in 2019.

Outlook

Commenting on the future, Mr. Gill added, “First and foremost, we remain focused on the health and safety of our employees, their families and our customers. While the future potential impact of the pandemic remains unknown, we are optimistic regarding the current economic outlook for 2021.

“Demand has strengthened significantly from customers serving the automotive, commercial vehicle and sport utility markets, with Class 8 forecasts showing year-over-year production increases of over 41% for 2021. Similarly, demand from customers in the defense and communications sector remains robust. While the energy market continues to be volatile, we continue to secure new orders on important projects around the world.

“The continuing momentum of new contract awards, when combined with increasingly positive market conditions, provide important support for our financial outlook for 2021, which includes 20% growth in the Company’s top line, 200 to 300 basis points of further expansion in the Company’s gross margin and strong double digit percentage growth in cash flow generated from operations.

“As we prepare for 2021, we remain focused on meeting the important needs of our customers who serve defense, communications, energy, transportation, and other critical infrastructure industries. With a strong backlog and recovering markets, we believe that the outlook for the coming year has the potential to be very positive for Sypris and we approach our new fiscal year with optimism.”