DENVER, N.C.Feb. 14, 2019 — Air T, Inc. (NASDAQ: AIRT) is organized as a portfolio of powerful businesses, each of which is independent yet interrelated. These include overnight air cargo operations; ground support equipment manufacturing; ground support equipment maintenance services; and commercial aircraft management, leasing and logistics. Today the Company announced results for its fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2018.

Q3 2019 Overview

  • Revenues totaled $63.6 million for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2018, a 43% increase over the prior year comparable quarter
  • Operating income of $1.5 million, an increase of $0.9 million from the prior year comparable quarter’s operating income of $0.6 million
  • Non-operating expense of $3.6 million, an increase of $2.3 million over the prior year comparable quarter
  • Net loss attributable to Air T stockholders was $2.7 million as compared to net loss of $0.7 million in Q3 2018
  • Loss per share was $1.34, compared to the prior comparable quarter’s loss per share of $0.33

“While segment operating performance varied significantly, our consolidated third quarter operating results grew nicely from the prior year third quarter, as well as quarter over quarter,” stated Nick Swenson, CEO and President of Air T.  “Growth was driven by our Commercial Jet Engines and Parts segment. Congratulations to Joe Kuhn and his team! Their business posted a solid third quarter, with high levels of both revenues and operating income.  Clearly, we have the start of a meaningful platform, and we are looking for innovative ways to enhance and accelerate the growth of this segment.  In contrast, Air Cargo Services reported significantly lower operating results in the period. Higher direct and indirect flight crew expenses have significantly eroded our margins. We are pursuing appropriate accommodation and remain hopeful that Air Cargo will deliver acceptable profit levels — on time. Similarly, the third quarter operating performance at Ground Support Maintenance Services sank from the prior year comparable quarter, although results improved sequentially from the second quarter of this year. Our new operating plan got traction in fiscal Q3, as we implemented various micro-actions to sustain a better operating dynamic. These actions included station by station assessments, with a special focus on markets for skilled labor. Management initiated certain rate increases and efficiency improvement plans in the early part of our fourth quarter. Finally, our Ground Support Equipment segment grew revenue at a rapid 26% in the quarter, which then reflected a more modest improvement in operating income.  This segment is growing steadily and profitably under Mike Moore’s leadership. As new product launches take hold, and our customers save money by upgrading to the technology solutions integrated into our latest equipment, we expect to continue to deliver real value for customers with jobs to do.”

Business Segment Results

Commercial Jet Engines and Parts

  • This segment leases commercial jet engines and aircraft; buys, sells and trades in surplus and aftermarket commercial jet engines, engine parts, airframes, and airframe parts, avionics, and other; then delivers the related documents and logistics.
  • Recent acquisitions in this segment include AirCo in October 2017 and the acquisition of the assets of Worthington Aviation in May 2018.
  • Revenues for this segment totaled $21.0 million in Q3 2019, an increase of $17.1 million over the same period of fiscal 2018. Contrail experienced record levels of sales and income for the quarter.
  • Operating income for this segment totaled $2.4 million in Q3 2019 compared to an operating loss of $0.3 million in the prior-year quarter.

Overnight Air Cargo

  • The segment provides air express delivery services, substantially all for FedEx.
  • Revenues for this segment declined 1% to $17.9 million in Q3 2019 compared to $18.0 million in Q3 2018.
  • Operating income for this segment totaled $0.1 million, a decrease of $0.9 million when compared to the operating income of Q3 2018. This decrease is due primarily to our absorption of higher operating costs (mainly increased flight crew costs to meet operational requirements); and higher general and administrative staff needed to meet higher-frequency requirements.

Aviation Ground Support Maintenance Services

  • This segment provides ground support equipment maintenance and facilities maintenance services to domestic airlines and aviation service providers across the United States.
  • Revenue from this segment totaled $8.1 million in Q3 2019, a decline of 6% over Q3 2018. The decrease in the current quarter is principally due to the closure of two airport locations during fiscal 2018.
  • Operating loss for this segment was $0.4 million in the current quarter, compared to a loss of $0.1 million in the same quarter of the prior year.

Aviation Ground Support Equipment

  • This segment manufactures and provides mobile deicers and other specialized equipment products to passenger and cargo airlines, airports, the military and industrial customers.
  • Revenues for this segment, which is the world’s largest manufacturer of aircraft de-icing equipment, totaled $16.3 million for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2018. This represents an increase of 26% over the revenue of $12.9 million in the prior comparable quarter. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the unit sales of deicers and catering trucks sold during the quarter.
  • Operating income for this segment was $1.2 million in the third quarter, an increase of $0.1 million for Q3 of last year principally due to the higher level of revenues.

Corporate

  • This segment includes expenses attributable to core Corporate functions, investment research, and specialized resources that are available to business units.
  • This segment’s operating loss totaled $1.5 million in the current quarter. In the comparable quarter of the prior year, operating loss totaled $1.3 million when excluding the $1.2 million foreclosed inventory recognized in this segment related to the bankruptcy of Delphax Canada in the third quarter of last year. The $1.2 million related to the foreclosed inventory was eliminated in consolidation.
  • The increase in Corporate segment costs in the current quarter is primarily attributable to increased headcount and significant professional fees billed by our former auditor.

Other Investments and Financial Liquidity

  • Air T owned approximately 3.5 million shares of common stock of Insignia Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: ISIG) with a market value of $5.2 million as of December 31, 2018.
  • As of December 31, 2018, Air T held $8.2 million of marketable securities (including Insignia at market value of $5.2 million).
  • Working capital (defined as current assets less current liabilities) as of December 31, 2018 totaled $15.0 million compared to $30.5 million as of March 31, 2018.

ABOUT AIR T, INC.
Established in 1980, Air T Inc. is a portfolio of powerful businesses and financial assets, each of which is independent yet interrelated. Its core segments are: overnight air cargo, aviation ground support equipment manufacturing, aviation ground support maintenance services, and commercial aircraft asset management and logistics. We seek to expand, strengthen and diversify Air T’s after-tax cash flow per share.  Our goal is to build Air T’s core businesses, and when appropriate, to expand into adjacent and other industries. We seek to activate growth and overcome challenges while delivering meaningful value for all stakeholders.  For more information, visit www.airt.net.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain matters discussed in this press release may be considered forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about our operations and the investments we make, including, among other things, factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our 10-K, as well as the following:

  • The risk that contracts with major customers will be terminated or not extended;
  • Future economic conditions and their impact on the Company’s customers;
  • The Company’s ability to recover on its investments, including its investments in Delphax and other recently acquired companies,
  • The timing and amounts of future orders under the Company’s Global Ground Support subsidiary’s contract with the United States Air Force; and
  • The risks and uncertainties related to business acquisitions (including the ability to successfully achieve the anticipated benefits of the acquisitions) inflation rates, competition, changes in technology or government regulation, debt covenants, information technology disruptions, and the impact of future terrorist activities in the United States and abroad.

Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words like “believes,” “could,” “possibly,” “probably,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seek,” “intend,” “plan,” “expect,” or “consider” or the negative of these expressions or other variations, or by discussions of strategy that involves risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual transactions, results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future transactions, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. We base these forward-looking statements on current expectations and projections about future events and the information currently available to us. Although we believe that the assumptions for these forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove to be inaccurate. Consequently, no representation or warranty can be given that the estimates, opinions, or assumptions made in or referenced by this prospectus will prove to be accurate. We undertake no obligation to update our forward-looking statements. We caution you that the forward-looking statements in this press release are only estimates and predictions, or statements or current intent. Actual results or outcomes, or actions that we ultimately undertake, could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements due to risks, uncertainties or actual events differing from the assumptions underlying these statements. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, those discussed in this press release.

AIR T, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS)

(UNAUDITED)

                     
       

Three Months Ended December 31,

 

Nine Months Ended December 31,

       

2018

 

2017

 

2018

 

2017

Operating Revenues:

               
 

Overnight air cargo

 

$       17,868,191

 

$       18,028,688

 

$       52,573,449

 

$       52,851,936

 

Ground equipment sales

 

16,278,359

 

12,911,101

 

35,501,936

 

34,376,866

 

Ground support services

 

8,136,466

 

8,643,267

 

25,658,143

 

26,557,666

 

Printing equipment and maintenance

 

104,980

 

905,860

 

543,748

 

5,340,163

 

Commercial jet engines and parts

 

20,990,088

 

3,930,510

 

58,953,054

 

21,781,095

 

Corporate and other

 

244,587

 

81,820

 

600,587

 

152,383

       

63,622,671

 

44,501,246

 

173,830,917

 

141,060,109

                     
                     

Operating Expenses:

               
 

Overnight air cargo

 

16,292,144

 

15,538,554

 

46,816,294

 

46,020,254

 

Ground equipment sales

 

13,760,055

 

10,578,846

 

29,677,280

 

28,606,906

 

Ground support services

 

7,098,098

 

7,337,862

 

22,925,769

 

21,738,525

 

Printing equipment and maintenance

 

94,733

 

265,054

 

289,164

 

2,848,861

 

Commercial jet engines and parts

 

12,268,266

 

2,143,540

 

38,052,172

 

15,534,775

 

Research and development

 

 

 

 

195,653

 

General and administrative

 

10,373,194

 

7,253,472

 

28,028,050

 

21,114,626

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

2,253,291

 

768,660

 

5,554,904

 

1,522,998

 

Impairment

 

7,125

 

46,930

 

27,818

 

220,957

 

Gain on sale of property and equipment

 

10,802

 

16,648

 

10,802

 

16,648

       

62,157,708

 

43,949,566

 

171,382,253

 

137,820,203

                     

Operating Income

 

1,464,963

 

551,680

 

2,448,664

 

3,239,906

                     

Non-operating Income (Expense):

               
 

Gain on sale of marketable securities

 

81,388

 

72,145

 

81,388

 

72,145

 

Foreign currency loss, net

 

(15,352)

 

(11,797)

 

(17,484)

 

(260,903)

 

Other-than-temporary impairment loss on investments

 

(2,000,000)

 

(788,799)

 

(2,000,000)

 

(1,559,972)

 

Other investment income (loss), net

 

(586,039)

 

50,485

 

(623,623)

 

123,286

 

Interest expense

 

(1,186,349)

 

(538,459)

 

(2,607,639)

 

(1,010,177)

 

Gain on asset retirement obligation

 

 

 

 

562,500

 

Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap

 

 

(199,122)

 

145,222

 

(199,122)

 

Bargain purchase acquisition gain

 

 

 

1,983,776

 

501,880

 

Income from equity method investments

 

200,929

 

89,426

 

370,670

 

119,363

 

Other expense, net

 

(102,406)

 

 

(74,720)

 

       

(3,607,829)

 

(1,326,121)

 

(2,742,410)

 

(1,651,000)

                     

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes

 

(2,142,866)

 

(774,441)

 

(293,746)

 

1,588,906

                     

Income Taxes (Benefit)

 

174,000

 

(60,000)

 

168,000

 

595,000

                     

Net Income (Loss)

 

(2,316,866)

 

(714,441)

 

(461,746)

 

993,906

                     

Net (Income) Loss Attributable to Non-controlling

               
 

Interests

 

$          (398,085)

 

$              42,502

 

$           (745,697)

 

$           (275,755)

                     
                     

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Air T, Inc. Stockholders

 

$       (2,714,951)

 

$          (671,939)

 

$        (1,207,443)

 

$            718,151

                     
                     

Income (Loss) Per Share:

               
   

Basic

 

$                (1.34)

 

$                (0.33)

 

$                 (0.59)

 

$                  0.35

   

Diluted

 

$                (1.34)

 

$                (0.33)

 

$                 (0.59)

 

$                  0.35

                     

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:

               
   

Basic

 

2,028,194

 

2,042,789

 

2,038,523

 

2,042,789

   

Diluted

 

2,028,194

 

2,042,789

 

2,038,523

 

2,047,547

                     

AIR T, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

           
           
     

December 31, 2018

 

March 31, 2018

ASSETS

       

Current Assets:

       
 

Cash and cash equivalents (Delphax $58,511 and $241,430)*

 

$                           2,729,249

 

$                       4,803,238

 

Marketable securities

 

2,457,609

 

290,449

 

Restricted cash 

 

907,488

 

269,659

 

Restricted investments

 

135,291

 

1,235,405

 

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts

       
 

  of $739,607 and $801,000 (Delphax $293,044 and $317,000)*

 

17,881,122

 

15,157,855

 

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted projects

 

 

2,012,121

 

Income tax receivable

 

1,940,955

 

1,557,180

 

Inventories, net 

 

39,585,915

 

34,231,005

 

Other current assets

 

4,298,164

 

658,630

 

Prepaid expenses (Delphax $58,516 and $72,269)*

 

1,680,419

 

1,455,566

 

  Total Current Assets

 

71,616,212

 

61,671,108

           

Investments in securities

 

356,013

 

1,026,920

Assets on lease, net of accumulated depreciation of $4,932,576 and $1,625,237

 

26,920,552

 

15,664,606

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $5,356,017 and $4,722,016

 

4,904,741

 

4,608,565

Cash surrender value of life insurance policies, net of policy loans

 

562,430

 

2,356,507

Other tax receivables-long-term (Delphax $311,000 and $311,000)*

 

311,000

 

311,000

Investments in funds

 

278,709

 

324,854

Equity method investments

 

5,666,430

 

5,032,268

Other assets 

 

598,006

 

420,981

Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $2,081,004 and $1,788,598

 

1,271,688

 

1,312,472

Goodwill 

 

4,417,605

 

4,417,605

 

  Total Assets

 

$                       116,903,386

 

$                     97,146,886

           

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

       

Current Liabilities:

       
 

Accounts payable (Delphax $2,163,424 and $2,145,847)*

 

$                         10,960,852

 

$                     10,181,143

 

Income tax payable (Delphax $0 and $11,312)*

 

23,000

 

23,000

 

Accrued expenses (Delphax $3,127,229 and $3,244,514)*

 

12,151,574

 

11,743,973

 

Deferred tax liabilities

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

33,437,246

 

9,229,690

 

 Total Current Liabilities   

 

56,572,672

 

31,177,806

           

Long-term debt

 

33,361,871

 

38,855,260

Deferred tax liabilities

 

641,080

 

92,000

Other non-current liabilities 

 

1,012,234

 

785,797

 

 Total Liabilities   

 

91,587,857

 

70,910,863

           

Redeemable non-controlling interest

 

2,998,161

 

1,992,939

           

Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)

       
           

Equity:

       

  Air T, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity:

       
 

Preferred stock, $1.00 par value, 50,000 shares authorized

 

 

 

Common stock, $.25 par value; 4,000,000 shares authorized,

       
 

  2,024,331 and 2,043,607 shares issued and outstanding 

 

506,084

 

510,901

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

4,195,484

 

4,171,869

 

Retained earnings

 

18,694,300

 

20,695,981

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(120,284)

 

(260,900)

 

     Total Air T, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity

 

23,275,584

 

25,117,851

  Non-controlling Interests

 

(958,216)

 

(874,767)

 

  Total Equity

 

22,317,368

 

24,243,084

 

  Total Liabilities and Equity  

 

$                       116,903,386

 

$                     97,146,886

           

* Amounts related to Delphax as of December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2018, respectively.

       
           

AIR T, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

           
         

Nine Months Ended December 31,

         

2018

 

2017

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

     
 

Net income (loss)

$                    (461,746)

 

$                      993,906

   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net

     
   

  cash provided by operating activities:

     
     

Gain on sale of marketable securities

(28,060)

 

(72,145)

     

Loss on sale of property and equipment

15,671

 

16,648

     

Profit from sale of assets on lease

(946,185)

 

     

Change in inventory reserves

(367,022)

 

(69,222)

     

Change in accounts receivable reserves

(61,823)

 

(2,731)

     

Depreciation and amortization

5,554,904

 

1,522,998

     

Impairment

27,818

 

220,957

     

Change in cash surrender value of life insurance

(102,710)

 

(118,254)

     

Gain on asset retirement obligation

 

(562,500)

     

Gain on bargain purchase, net of tax

(1,983,777)

 

(501,880)

     

Deferred income taxes

 

(102,566)

     

Change in warranty reserve

156,253

 

53,092

     

Other-than-temporary impairment loss on investments

2,000,000

 

1,559,972

     

Unrealized loss on marketable securities

854,874

 

     

Unrealized (gain) loss on interest rate swap

(145,222)

 

199,122

     

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

     
     

  Accounts receivable

(718,690)

 

3,011,203

     

  Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings and uncompleted projects

2,012,121

 

     

  Notes receivable and other non-trade receivables 

(3,638,929)

 

1,053,846

     

  Inventories

(75,059)

 

4,223,445

     

  Prepaid expense and other assets

(742,050)

 

145,640

     

  Accounts payable

(506,587)

 

(2,294,265)

     

  Accrued expenses

147,160

 

(538,232)

     

  Income taxes payable/receivable

(72,775)

 

(603,843)

     

  Non-current liabilities

356,541

 

165,039

     

Total adjustments  

1,736,453

 

7,306,324

   

 Net cash provided by operating activities

1,274,707

 

8,300,230

               

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

     
   

Purchases of marketable securities

(2,013,921)

 

(1,007,071)

   

Proceeds from sale of marketable securities

836,510

 

537,826

   

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

(3,375,700)

 

(2,900,000)

   

Cash used for equity method investments

(263,492)

 

   

Investment in reinsurance entity

(2,000,000)

 

   

Capital expenditures related to property & equipment

(1,010,330)

 

(1,655,551)

   

Capital expenditures related to assets on lease

(19,149,515)

 

(13,591,693)

   

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

50,602

 

1,861

   

Proceeds from sale of assets on lease

4,180,208

 

   

 Net cash used in investing activities

(22,745,638)

 

(18,614,628)

               

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

     
   

Proceeds from lines of credit

86,519,612

 

86,949,125

   

Payments on lines of credit

(83,566,277)

 

(88,817,034)

   

Proceeds from term loan

22,539,000

 

20,841,000

   

Payments on term loan

(6,787,210)

 

(2,436,225)

   

Debt issuance costs

(150,142)

 

(156,115)

   

Proceeds from loan against cash surrender value of life insurance policies

1,896,788

 

   

Distribution to non-controlling member

(65,672)

 

(1,100,000)

   

Contribution from non-controlling member

210,000

 

252,000

   

Payments for repurchase of stock

(693,136)

 

   

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

17,762

 

   

 Net cash provided by financing activities

19,920,725

 

15,532,751

               
   

Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

114,046

 

3,370

               

NET INCREASE/ (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH

(1,436,160)

 

5,221,723

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

5,072,897

 

3,653,734

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH AT END OF PERIOD

$                   3,636,737

 

$                   8,875,457

               

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

     
 

Non-cash capital expenditures related to property & equipment

$                          8,675

 

$                                –

               

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

     
 

Cash paid during the year for:

     
   

Interest

 

$                   2,084,085

 

$                      690,859

   

Income taxes

490,181

 

1,457,518

               

SOURCE Air T, Inc.