VSE Corporation Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Results

ALEXANDRIA, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–VSE Corporation (NASDAQ: VSEC; “VSE”, or the “Company”), a leading provider of aftermarket distribution and maintenance, repair and overhaul (“MRO”) services for land, sea and air transportation assets for government and commercial markets, today announced results for the fourth quarter and full year 2021.

FOURTH QUARTER 2021 RESULTS

(As compared to the Fourth Quarter 2020)

• Total Revenues of $210.2 million increased 40.1%
• GAAP Net Income of $6.2 million increased 3.1%
• Adjusted Net Income of $6.8 million increased 17.0%
• Adjusted EBITDA of $17.8 million increased 3.2%

For the three months ended December 31, 2021, the Company reported total revenue of $210.2 million, an increase of 40% over fourth quarter 2020 revenue of $150.0 million. VSE reported adjusted net income of $6.8 million or $0.53 per adjusted diluted share, compared to $5.8 million or $0.52 per adjusted diluted share in the prior-year period.

Adjusted EBITDA increased to $17.8 million in the fourth quarter 2021, versus $17.3 million for the same period in 2020. The Company generated free cash flow, as defined by operating cash flow less total capital expenditures, of $10.0 million in the fourth quarter 2021, versus $(0.9) million in the same period of 2020.

Aviation segment revenue increased for the sixth consecutive quarter. Fourth quarter 2021 Aviation segment revenue increased 115% on a year-over-year basis, driven by growth within both distribution and repair markets and market share gains within the business and general aviation (“B&GA”) market. Aviation distribution and repair revenue increased 174% and 27%, respectively, in the fourth quarter 2021 versus the prior-year period, with distribution continuing to operate above pre-pandemic levels.

Fleet segment revenue increased 12% on a year-over-year basis, driven by strong growth with commercial fleet customers and e-commerce fulfillment sales. Commercial revenue increased 61% versus the prior-year period, and USPS-related revenue improved sequentially for the second consecutive quarter.

Federal and Defense segment revenue increased 16% on a year-over-year basis, supported by contributions from the HAECO Special Services (HSS) acquisition completed in the first quarter 2021.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, the Company reported total revenue of $750.9 million, versus $661.7 million in 2020. The Company reported net income of $8.0 million or $0.63 per diluted share, compared to $(5.2) million or $(0.47) per diluted share in the prior-year period. On an adjusted basis, the Company reported adjusted net income of $29.5 million or $2.34 per adjusted diluted share, compared to $29.1 million or $2.63 per adjusted diluted share in the prior-year period.

STRATEGIC UPDATE

In 2021, VSE continued to successfully execute on a multi-year business transformation plan by driving growth in the following markets:

• Aviation segment: Commercial and B&GA distribution, and B&GA component and accessory MRO
• Fleet segment: Commercial fleet and e-commerce fulfillment
• Federal and Defense segment: Parts distribution, MRO, consulting, and engineering services

Looking ahead, the Company remains focused on the execution of previously announced business awards, winning business with new and existing customers, expanding product and service offerings, and deploying capital toward higher-margin, organic and inorganic growth opportunities. Key strategic priorities include the following:

• Aviation Segment: Prioritize new business development with leading global brands, with an emphasis on exclusive, recurring revenue streams.
  
  For the full year 2021, VSE Aviation won significant new business awards supporting both distribution and MRO. During the fourth quarter 2021, VSE entered into an agreement with a major domestic airline (“Airline”) to become the exclusive end-of-life solutions provider for 737NG aircraft and surplus materials. Under the terms of the agreement, VSE will support the Airline with the dismantling and disposition of retired aircrafts. This program supports the Airline in fully optimizing its retired fleet and allows for the refurbishment of used parts for use by the Airline in fleet support and the sale of used components to third-party end users, brokers, and resellers. This award highlights VSE Aviation’s deep technical expertise and strong commercial relationships and further accelerates its global brand presence.

• Aviation Segment: Develop a market-leading global Commercial and Business and General Aviation (B&GA) brand with distribution, repair, exchange, and value-added solution capabilities.
  
  During the full year 2021, the Aviation segment grew 50% supported by new product distribution awards, new repair capability additions, and contributions from the Global Parts acquisition, all further positioning the Company for sustained growth in 2022. Management sees a significant, long-term opportunity for growth within the Aviation parts distribution and MRO services markets. VSE will continue to deploy capital toward its higher-growth and higher-margin Aviation segment, with a specific focus on integrated, “tip-to-tail” solutions in both the commercial and B&GA markets. The Company seeks to drive organic growth through product and service additions, and a combination of new program wins and increased cross-selling initiatives from previously announced awards. The Company will continue to pursue select, complementary acquisitions to enhance its capabilities, product offerings, geographic presence, and customer exposure.

• Fleet Segment: Drive sustained growth in commercial and e-commerce fulfillment revenue.
  
  The Fleet segment generated strong revenue, as commercial revenue increased by more than 61% in the fourth quarter 2021, and 72% in the full year 2021. Commercial revenue increased from 10% of total segment sales in 2019 to 32% in 2021, and VSE anticipates this market to remain the growth driver for the segment in 2022. VSE also continues to provide products and support to the United States Postal Service (“USPS”) and its fleet of more than 230,000 vehicles. The Company remains well-positioned to support the USPS with distribution and new product introductions serving both the current fleet and the next generation delivery vehicle (“NGDV”) transition.

• Federal and Defense Segment: Rebuild backlog.
  
  The Federal and Defense segment continued to build a more robust, multi-year backlog of new, higher-margin opportunities during the fourth quarter and full year 2021, while reducing costs across the organization. The segment grew total funded backlog by 1% on a year-over-year basis in 2021, while bookings increased by 16% during the same period.

• Business Transformation: Develop a high-performance culture, equipped to drive and sustain profitable growth.
  
  The Company continues to build a high-performance, customer-focused culture, including a team of industry leaders that lead with purpose around shared, measurable objectives that position us to win in the markets we serve. In 2021, VSE continued to transform the business with the addition of strong technical talent at all levels of the organization. During the year, the Company made significant progress toward integrating legacy and newly acquired businesses, invested in systems and process upgrades, and built product and service capability centers-of-excellence to improve overall customer service quality and provide future scalability.

MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY

“2021 was a year of strong progress for VSE as we continued to execute on our multi-year business transformation plan to develop a market-leading, global aftermarket distribution and service solutions company,” stated John Cuomo, President and CEO of VSE Corporation. “Last year, we moved closer to the end-user, strengthened relationships with our supplier partners, and identified new methods to solve complex customer problems. We placed more emphasis on higher-margin, niche market opportunities, while pivoting from lower-margin, commoditized business. We penetrated new markets and customer accounts both organically and inorganically, while maintaining our disciplined approach to growth. We also aligned ourselves with both new and existing global, tier-one OEM supplier partners, many of whom engaged VSE in exclusive, long-term distribution agreements.”

“During the fourth quarter, revenue grew by more than 40% versus the prior-year-period, contributing to growth in both net income and adjusted EBITDA,” continued Cuomo. “Our Aviation segment had an outstanding finish to the year, as recent contract wins and improved customer activity across both our distribution and repair businesses contributed to the sixth consecutive quarter of growth in revenue and operating profit. VSE Aviation is now the largest segment within VSE.”

“During the fourth quarter of 2021, VSE Aviation was awarded an exclusive, multi-year asset optimization and partnership agreement with a major United States commercial airline,” continued Cuomo. “Under the terms of this contract, VSE will lead the disassembly and asset management of all 737NG aircraft and surplus materials scheduled for retirement within this partner’s fleet, positioning us to further leverage our integrated MRO, parts distribution, and repair management capabilities. Importantly, with this contract, VSE Aviation will become one of the largest suppliers of refurbished 737NG materials globally.”

“In 2022, we intend to pursue both organic and inorganic opportunities within complementary, adjacent Aviation markets,” continued Cuomo. “We will further establish ourselves as a leading player within both the commercial and business and general aviation MRO and parts distribution markets. We will also seek to capitalize on a steady improvement in MRO activity, a trend we believe is supportive of margin expansion as commercial air travel levels recover.”

“2021 was another strong year of strategy execution for our Fleet segment as non-USPS organic revenue increased by more than 72%,” continued Cuomo. “In 2022, we will continue to invest in our commercial and e-commerce products, systems, and distribution centers-of-excellence to support these high-growth markets.”

“We ended the year with $122 million of available liquidity,” stated Stephen Griffin, CFO of VSE Corporation. “Looking ahead, we intend to prioritize capital allocation increasingly toward organic and inorganic growth opportunities that support our focus on long-term sustainable revenue and higher margin businesses. In 2022, we expect to be free cash flow positive as full year contributions from recently launched programs and completed acquisitions support incremental growth in EBITDA.”

SEGMENT RESULTS

AVIATION

Distribution & MRO Services

VSE’s Aviation segment provides aftermarket MRO and distribution services to commercial, business and general aviation, cargo, military/defense and rotorcraft customers globally. Core services include parts distribution, component and engine accessory MRO services, rotable exchange and supply chain services.

VSE Aviation segment revenue increased 115% year-over-year to $82.8 million in the fourth quarter 2021. The year-over-year revenue improvement was attributable to contributions from recently announced contract wins and market share gains, specifically within the B&GA markets, as well as contributions of $18.6 million from the acquisition of Global Parts. The Aviation segment reported operating income of $4.5 million in the fourth quarter, compared to $(0.8) million in the same period of 2020. Segment Adjusted EBITDA increased by 464% in the fourth quarter to $7.8 million, versus $1.4 million in the prior-year period. Aviation segment Adjusted EBITDA margins were 9.4%, up 582 basis points versus the prior-year period, driven by improved sales mix, end-market recovery and operating efficiencies.

FLEET

Distribution & Fleet Services

VSE’s Fleet segment provides parts, inventory management, e-commerce fulfillment, logistics, supply chain support and other services to the commercial aftermarket medium- and heavy-duty truck market and the United States Postal Service (“USPS”). Core services include parts distribution, sourcing, IT solutions, customized fleet logistics, warehousing, kitting, just-in-time supply chain management, alternative product sourcing, engineering and technical support.

VSE Fleet segment revenue increased 12% year-over-year to $60.5 million in the fourth quarter 2021. Revenues from commercial customers increased 61% on a year-over-year basis, driven by growth in commercial fleet demand and the e-commerce fulfillment business, and as of the fourth quarter 2021 commercial revenue represented 32% of total Fleet segment revenue. Segment Adjusted EBITDA declined 10% year-over-year to $7.6 million in the fourth quarter. Fleet segment Adjusted EBITDA margins declined to 12.6% versus 15.8% in the prior-year period, given the previously communicated mix impact from increased commercial revenue as a percentage of total segment revenue and continued investment in commercial channel growth.

FEDERAL & DEFENSE

Logistics & Sustainment Services

VSE’s Federal and Defense segment provides aftermarket MRO and logistics services to improve operational readiness and extend the life cycle of military vehicles, ships and aircraft for the U.S. Armed Forces, federal agencies and international, allied defense customers. Core services include base operations support, procurement, supply chain management, vehicle, maritime and aircraft sustainment services, IT and data management services and energy consulting.

VSE Federal and Defense segment revenue increased 16% year-over-year to $66.9 million in the fourth quarter 2021, driven by the contributions from the recent acquisition of HAECO Special Services (HSS), contract wins and successful recompetes, which more than offset the expiration of an Army contract. Segment Adjusted EBITDA declined 58% year-over-year to $3.6 million in the period, given a higher mix of cost plus contracts and supply chain related disruptions. VSE Federal and Defense funded backlog increased 1% year-over-year to $185 million, while bookings increased 7% on a year-over-year basis, given an increased focused on new business development activities.

FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had $122 million in cash and unused commitment availability under its $350 million revolving credit facility maturing in 2024. The business generated $10 million of free cash flow in the quarter and on a year-to-date basis, has invested more than $70 million in new programs, primarily within the Aviation segment, to support long-term growth. As of December 31, 2021, VSE had total net debt outstanding of $284 million and $73.6 million of trailing-twelve months Adjusted EBITDA, which excludes full year contributions from recently launched programs and the HAECO Special Services and Global Parts acquisitions.

FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR RESULTS

(in thousands, except per share data)
		Three months ended December 31,									For the years ended December 31,
			2021			2020		% Change				2021			2020			% Change
Revenues		$	210,178		$	150,021		40.1	%		$	750,853		$	661,659			13.5	%
Operating income		$	10,739		$	11,914		(9.9	) %		$	21,520		$	13,923			54.6	%
Net income (loss)		$	6,200		$	6,013		3.1	%		$	7,966		$	(5,171	)		(254.1	) %
EPS (Diluted)		$	0.48		$	0.54		(11.1	) %		$	0.63		$	(0.47	)		(234.0	) %

SEGMENT RESULTS

The following is a summary of revenues and operating income (loss) for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

		Three months ended December 31,											For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)			2021				2020			% Change				2021				2020			% Change
Revenues:
Aviation		$	82,842			$	38,551			114.9	%		$	247,852			$	165,070			50.1	%
Fleet			60,460				54,025			11.9	%			233,532				242,170			(3.6	) %
Federal and Defense			66,876				57,445			16.4	%			269,469				254,419			5.9	%
Total revenues		$	210,178			$	150,021			40.1	%		$	750,853			$	661,659			13.5	%
Operating income (loss):
Aviation		$	4,512			$	(833	)		(641.7	) %		$	(14,373	)		$	(35,513	)		(59.5	) %
Fleet			5,298				6,150			(13.9	) %			20,426				26,659			(23.4	) %
Federal and Defense			2,487				7,868			(68.4	) %			19,897				26,309			(24.4	) %
Corporate/unallocated expenses			(1,558	)			(1,271	)		22.6	%			(4,430	)			(3,532	)		25.4	%
Operating income		$	10,739			$	11,914			(9.9	) %		$	21,520			$	13,923			54.6	%

The Company reported total capital expenditures in the fourth quarter and full year 2021 of $2.9 million and $10.5 million, respectively.

NON-GAAP MEASURES

In addition to the financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), this earnings release also contains Non-GAAP financial measures. These measures provide useful information to investors, and a reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures and other information relating to these Non-GAAP measures is included in the supplemental schedules attached.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS to Net Income (Loss)

		Three months ended December 31,											For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)			2021				2020			% Change				2021				2020			% Change
Net income (loss)		$	6,200			$	6,013			3.1	%		$	7,966			$	(5,171	)		(254.1	) %
Adjustments to net income (loss):
Acquisition and restructuring costs			387				1,132			(65.8	) %			1,809				1,132			59.8	%
Earn-out adjustment(1)			—				(2,447	)		(100.0	) %			—				(5,541	)		(100.0	) %
Loss on sale of business entity and certain assets			—				—			—	%			—				8,214			(100.0	) %
Gain on sale of property			—				—			—	%			—				(1,108	)		(100.0	) %
Severance			—				—			—	%			—				739			(100.0	) %
Goodwill and intangible impairment			—				—			—	%			—				33,734			(100.0	) %
Executive transition costs			25				1,026			(97.6	) %			1,014				1,026			(1.2	) %
Inventory reserve			—				—			—	%			24,420				—			—	%
Non-recurring professional fees			357				—			—	%			357				—			—	%
			6,969				5,724			21.8	%			35,566				33,025			7.7	%
Tax impact of adjusted items			(192	)			70			(374.3	) %			(6,045	)			(3,973	)		52.2	%
Adjusted net income		$	6,777			$	5,794			17.0	%		$	29,521			$	29,052			1.6	%
Weighted average dilutive shares			12,810				11,141			15.0	%			12,633				11,034			14.5	%
Adjusted EPS (Diluted)		$	0.53			$	0.52			1.9	%		$	2.34			$	2.63			(11.0	) %
(1) Includes impact of a Section 338(h)(10) election on corporate expenses.

Reconciliation of Consolidated EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income (Loss)

		Three months ended December 31,										For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)			2021			2020			% Change				2021			2020			% Change
Net income (loss)		$	6,200		$	6,013			3.1	%		$	7,966		$	(5,171	)		(254.1	) %
Interest expense			3,593			3,408			5.4	%			12,069			13,496			(10.6	) %
Income taxes			946			2,493			(62.1	) %			1,485			5,598			(73.5	) %
Amortization of intangible assets			4,670			4,159			12.3	%			18,482			17,504			5.6	%
Depreciation and other amortization			1,635			1,472			11.1	%			6,018			5,575			7.9	%
EBITDA			17,044			17,545			(2.9	) %			46,020			37,002			24.4	%
Acquisition and restructuring costs			387			1,132			(65.8	) %			1,809			1,132			59.8	%
Earn-out adjustment(1)			—			(2,447	)		(100.0	) %			—			(5,541	)		(100.0	) %
Loss on sale of business entity and certain assets			—			—			—	%			—			8,214			(100.0	) %
Gain on sale of property			—			—			—	%			—			(1,108	)		(100.0	) %
Severance			—			—			—	%			—			739			(100.0	) %
Goodwill and intangible impairment			—			—			—	%			—			33,734			(100.0	) %
Executive transition costs			25			1,026			(97.6	) %			1,014			1,026			(1.2	) %
Inventory reserve			—			—			—	%			24,420			—			—	%
Non-recurring professional fees			357			—			—	%			357			—			—	%
Adjusted EBITDA		$	17,813		$	17,256			3.2	%		$	73,620		$	75,198			(2.1	) %
(1) Includes impact of a Section 338(h)(10) election on corporate expenses.

Reconciliation of Segment EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to Operating Income (Loss)

		Three months ended December 31,										For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)			2021			2020			% Change				2021				2020			% Change
Aviation
Operating income (loss)		$	4,512		$	(833	)		(641.7	) %		$	(14,373	)		$	(35,513	)		(59.5	) %
Depreciation and amortization			2,898			2,667			8.7	%			11,068				10,698			3.5	%
EBITDA			7,410			1,834			304.0	%			(3,305	)			(24,815	)		53.4	%
Acquisition and restructuring costs			387			1,132			(65.8	) %			888				1,132			(21.6	) %
Earn-out adjustment			—			(1,905	)		(100.0	) %			—				(5,000	)		(100.0	) %
Loss on sale of business entity and certain assets			—			—			—	%			—				8,214			(100.0	) %
Gain on sale of property			—			—			—	%			—				(1,108	)		(100.0	) %
Severance			—			—			—	%			—				382			(100.0	) %
Goodwill and intangible impairment			—			—			—	%			—				33,734			(100.0	) %
Executive transition costs			—			322			(100.0	) %			—				322			(100.0	) %
Inventory reserve			—			—			—	%			23,727				—			—	%
Adjusted EBITDA		$	7,797		$	1,383			463.8	%		$	21,310			$	12,861			65.7	%
Fleet
Operating income			5,298			6,150			(13.9	) %		$	20,426			$	26,659			(23.4	) %
Depreciation and amortization			2,336			2,361			(1.1	) %			9,369				9,983			(6.2	) %
EBITDA		$	7,634		$	8,511			(10.3	) %		$	29,795			$	36,642			(18.7	) %
Inventory reserve			—			—			—	%			693				—			—	%
Adjusted EBITDA		$	7,634		$	8,511			(10.3	) %		$	30,488			$	36,642			(16.8	) %
Federal and Defense
Operating income			2,487			7,868			(68.4	) %		$	19,897			$	26,309			(24.4	) %
Depreciation and amortization			1,072			604			77.5	%			4,063				2,630			54.5	%
EBITDA			3,559			8,472			(58.0	) %			23,960				28,939			(17.2	) %
Severance			—			—			—	%			—				112			(100.0	) %
Adjusted EBITDA		$	3,559		$	8,472			(58.0	) %		$	23,960			$	29,051			(17.5	) %

	Three months ended December 31,											For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)		2021				2020			% Change				2021				2020			% Change
Adjusted EBITDA Summary
Aviation	$	7,797			$	1,383			463.8	%		$	21,310			$	12,861			65.7	%
Fleet	$	7,634			$	8,511			(10.3	) %		$	30,488			$	36,642			(16.8	) %
Federal and Defense	$	3,559			$	8,472			(58.0	) %		$	23,960			$	29,051			(17.5	) %
Adjusted Corporate expenses (1)		(1,177	)			(1,110	)		6.0	%			(2,138	)			(3,356	)		(36.3	) %
Adjusted EBITDA	$	17,813			$	17,256			3.2	%		$	73,620			$	75,198			(2.1	) %
(1) Includes certain adjustments not directly attributable to any of our segments.

Reconciliation of Operating Cash to Free Cash Flow

		Three months ended December 31,								For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)			2021				2020				2021				2020
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	12,921			$	526			$	(17,602	)		$	35,761
Capital expenditures			(2,914	)			(1,471	)			(10,520	)			(4,427	)
Free cash flow		$	10,007			$	(945	)		$	(28,122	)		$	31,334

Reconciliation of Debt to Net Debt

		For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)			2021				2020
Principal amount of debt		$	286,734			$	253,461
Debt issuance costs			(2,165	)			(2,368	)
Cash and cash equivalents			(518	)			(378	)
Net debt		$	284,051			$	250,715

The non-GAAP Financial Information set forth in this document is not calculated in accordance with GAAP under SEC Regulation G. We consider Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted EPS (Diluted), EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, net debt and free cash flow as non-GAAP financial measures and important indicators of performance and useful metrics for management and investors to evaluate our business’ ongoing operating performance on a consistent basis across reporting periods.

Contacts

INVESTOR
Noel Ryan, IRC

(720) 778-2415

investors@vsecorp.com

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