Metalnewsnet 10 May ：

“In view of the low revenue, we have continued to focus on managing down our fixed costs and streamlining our business processes.”

“During the quarter, we felt the lagged effect of the broad economic slowdown that began to impact our industry in late 2008. The hiatus in new wind developments did not subside until the late summer of 2009, when financing began to come available, thanks in part to Federal stimulus money. The effects of these new investment decisions will not have a positive impact on Broadwind’s business until the second half of this year. We entered the year with very low capacity utilization rates and back-end loaded purchase commitments from key customers. However, our volumes are building and we have called back or rehired an additional 25% of our workforce since January 1. We believe the first quarter represented a low point, and expect sequential growth in our quarterly sales as the year progresses,” said Broadwind CEO J. Cameron Drecoll. “In view of the low revenue, we have continued to focus on managing down our fixed costs and streamlining our business processes."

Drecoll continued, “We continue to prepare Broadwind for the expected upswing in wind turbine orders and installations. With the completion of our common stock offering in January, we raised about $54 million in proceeds to repay a significant portion of our debt, fund general operating needs, and to finance key capital investments to help us grow our revenues and to become profitable. To this end, we completed construction of our third wind tower manufacturing facility, located in South Dakota. When it is fully operational, our three plants will offer the industry more than 1,500 megawatts of annual tower capacity. Also, during the quarter we commenced investment in a megawatt gearbox refurbishment center in Abilene, Texas. We are very excited about this investment, which will enable Broadwind to combine its gearing and technical service capabilities to support the growing number of gearboxes coming off warranty. We expect this investment to come on line by the end of the year.”

The Company reported negative Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation) of $8.2 million during the first quarter of 2010 compared to $0.4 million during the first quarter of 2009. (For an explanation and reconciliation of GAAP net loss to Adjusted EBITDA, please see the table below.) Net cash used in operating activities during the first quarter of 2010 was $10.9 million compared to $0.3 million in the prior year. The increase in net cash used in operating activities reflected a higher operating loss and rebuilding operational working capital to support volume growth.

Segment Results

Towers

Broadwind manufactures wind turbine towers, specifically the large and heavier towers that are designed for 2 megawatt (“MW”) and larger wind turbines.

Revenue from our Towers segment was $12.0 million in the first quarter of 2010, compared to $20.1 million in the first quarter of 2009. The decrease in revenue was primarily the result of an approximate 27% decline in the average selling price of wind towers manufactured, caused primarily by lower steel prices. Additionally, we experienced a 15% decline in wind tower production volumes and $1.8 million lower sales of industrial weldments. The Towers segment incurred a $1.3 million operating loss in the first quarter of 2010, versus a $0.1 million operating loss in the first quarter of 2009, due in large part to reduced revenue. Partly offsetting the adverse impact of lower volumes was the absence of start-up costs incurred in the prior year at our wind tower manufacturing facility in Abilene, Texas, and lower operating expenses.

Gearing

Broadwind produces precision gearing for the wind industry and gearboxes for mining, oilfield and other industrial customers.

Revenue from our Gearing segment was $7.7 million in the first quarter of 2010, compared to $23.0 million in the first quarter of 2009. Both wind and industrial gearing sales declined sharply from the prior year, reflecting both weak customer demand and a relatively slow re-start of the plant following an extended holiday shutdown.

The Gearing segment incurred a $5.1 million operating loss in the first quarter of 2010, versus a $3.9 million operating loss in the first quarter of 2009. The increase in operating loss was substantially due to reduced production volumes. Partly offsetting the weakness in volume were improvements in product scrap, the absence of significant physical inventory charges and lower professional fees.

Technical and Engineering Services

Broadwind is a leading independent provider of installation support and operations and maintenance services for the wind industry. The Company also offers repair and refurbishing of complex wind components, including control systems, gearboxes and blades.

Revenue from our Technical and Engineering Services segment totaled $2.0 million in the first quarter of 2010, compared with $7.4 million in the first quarter of 2009. The business continues to be impacted by lower technician placements due to fewer new wind turbine installations and a displacement of Broadwind maintenance technicians as several of our key customers have chosen to take in-house a greater share of their maintenance activities due to current economic conditions. The decrease in engineering service revenues was primarily due to lower blade refurbishment activity compared to the prior year, when a sizable refurbishment project was underway.

The segment incurred a $2.5 million operating loss in the first quarter of 2010, versus breakeven in the first quarter of 2009. The increase in operating loss was primarily attributable to the generally low activity level, partially offset by reduced operating expenses.

Logistics

Broadwind offers specialized transportation and logistics services to the wind industry.

Logistics segment revenue was $0.5 million in the first quarter of 2010, compared with $2.8 million in the first quarter of 2009. The segment continues to be impacted by a low level of new wind farm development and increased pricing competition. During 2009, our operators were engaged in the completion of a large wind farm transportation contract.

The segment reported a $1.7 million operating loss in the first quarter of 2010, versus a $1.0 million operating loss in the first quarter of 2009. The increase in operating loss was attributable to transportation volume inefficiencies resulting from a decline in contracts awarded during the current quarter and due to a reduction in operating margins related to competitive pricing pressure. Partly offsetting these factors were lower operating expenses due to expense curtailments and employee furloughs due to lower transportation volumes.

Corporate and Other

First quarter corporate and other expenses were $3.2 million, compared to $2.3 million in the first quarter of 2009. The increase in expense was attributable to an increase in salaries and benefits expense related to employees added in mid-2009 and charges related to severance and incentive compensation expense. The increase in salary and benefit related expenses were partially offset by a reduction in professional and audit related fees.

Debt and Liquidity

At quarter-end, debt plus capitalized lease obligations totaled $19.1 million, with annual debt service and lease commitments of $3.9 million. Shortly after quarter-end, the company converted a construction loan related to its newly constructed wind turbine tower plant in South Dakota to a $6.5 million term loan. At quarter-end, available cash totaled $26.3 million.

Backlog and Outlook

During the quarter, new orders totaled $18 million, modestly below shipments, leaving backlog relatively unchanged from year-end at $244 million. The Company expects revenue to rise sequentially each quarter during the year and to generate positive Adjusted EBITDA in the second half of the year.

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA

The Company has provided the following table, which reconciles net loss, as reported, to Adjusted EBITDA. The Company utilizes Adjusted EBITDA as a key financial metric and believes it represents the Company’s operational cash generation, which it can use to make acquisitions, invest in operations and facilities, return to shareholders, and for other uses. Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income prepared on a GAAP basis. Additionally, Adjusted EBITDA as computed by the Company may not be comparable to similar metrics used by others in the industry

(from businesswire)