Insituform Technologies, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2007 Results

Insituform Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq Global Select Market: INSU) today reported fourth quarter income from continuing operations of $9.0 million, or $0.33 per diluted share. This compares to $10.3 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, earned in the fourth quarter of 2006. The shutdown of the Company’s tunneling division was substantially completed by year-end and has been classified as a discontinued operation accordingly for all periods reported. Taking into account our discontinued operation, fourth quarter net income was $10.1 million, or $0.37 per diluted share. This compares to net income of $10.4 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2006. The fourth quarter 2007 continuing operations results benefited from a $4.5 million pre-tax gain from a litigation settlement. For the full year of 2007, income from continuing operations was $12.9 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, as compared to $26.3 million, or $0.96 per diluted share in 2006. The net loss from discontinued operations for the full year of 2007 was $10.3 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, as compared to a net loss from discontinued operations of $1.6 million, or $0.06 per diluted share in 2006. The 2007 loss from discontinued operations was principally impacted by pre-tax closure charges of $17.9 million, or $12.1 million after-tax ($0.44 per diluted share). Net income for the full year of 2007 was $2.5 million, or $0.09 per diluted share. This compares to net income in the full year of 2006 of $24.7 million, or $0.90 per diluted share. Alfred L. Woods, Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer, made the following comments on the quarter’s and the full year 2007 results: "2007 was a difficult year for Insituform, and no one at this Company is happy with the modest profit we have reported. These results are not indicative of the performance that is expected and do not reflect the potential of our Company. We are taking aggressive steps to achieve the kind of earnings growth we owe our stockholders, and in the last quarter of 2007, we began to see measurable progress from these efforts. "Much has been said about the weakness that has been experienced in the U.S. sewer rehabilitation market in 2007. We have also said that we experienced some further operational issues in a few of our U.S. regional operations this past year. Those weaker regional operations experienced significant fourth quarter margin improvements. While our U.S. CIPP business volume is not yet where it needs to be, we did see improvement in both backlog volume and backlog margin in the fourth quarter of 2007 in many U.S. regional markets. We are also encouraged by the fact that we experienced 12% growth in total backlog orders for North American rehabilitation in the second half of 2007 over the first half of 2007. "Operating expenses in our rehabilitation segment were $2.9 million lower in the fourth quarter of 2007 than in the same period in 2006. In fact, rehabilitation operating expenses for the second half of 2007 were $4.3 million lower than in the second half of 2006. Our total operating expenses decreased $2.6 million in 2007, or 2.8%, from 2006. The decrease occurred partly as a result of reduced field support expenses in rehabilitation, but also as a result of decreases in corporate spending. The fourth quarter reductions in operating expenses were primarily attributable to our initiative to realign our operating expenses. We have been able to achieve these savings without compromising the investments we are making in our international expansion and in Insituform Blue™. "In 2008, we are continuing this focus on cost realignment. We have targeted an annualized $12 million in savings to be achieved without jeopardizing our ongoing strategic initiatives. We will reinvest $4 million from these savings into our strategic initiatives. We fully expect to realize the targeted savings by the end of 2008. This realigned cost structure will enable us to be more profitable and allow us to more economically invest in our strategic growth initiatives. "Last quarter, we discussed aggressive pursuit of geographic diversification of our business as a response to the weak market conditions in our U.S. rehabilitation segment. Since then, we have won several major international contracts, including two sewer rehabilitation contracts in Delhi, India, totaling $35.1 million, the largest municipal CIPP project in our history. We won more than $13 million of water and sewer projects in Hong Kong, the majority of which are Insituform Blue™ projects. We fully expect to have $80 million in backlog by the end of 2008 in our new international ventures. We are also excited about growth that we have experienced in our other international businesses. We recently announced that we won our largest sewer rehabilitation project in the United Kingdom to date, totaling $14.7 million. Our Canadian and European businesses performed extremely well during the fourth quarter and ended the year with strong backlog as well. "While revenues in our Tite Liner business were down in 2007, our overall profitability improved. Our operating margins improved to 21.9% in 2007 from 19.2% in 2006. We also ended the year with a record balance in backlog at $26.2 million. "I am also encouraged with the progress in the continued development and validation of our Insituform Blue™ products. We performed a number of projects, both domestically and internationally, and we gained vital experience and knowledge that will set us up well for 2008 and beyond. We expect that Insituform Blue™ products will contribute modest profitability in 2008. "During the fourth quarter, we substantially completed the shutdown of our tunneling division. As a result, we were able to classify the business as discontinued operations in the quarter. The remaining tunneling shutdown activities will be completed by the middle of the second quarter of 2008, and we anticipate only minor earnings impact in 2008. Substantially all of the shutdown charges were recorded by year-end 2007, and equipment sales were better than anticipated. We ended the year with $17.9 million in closure charges, versus an original estimate of $21 million. "As we have closed out 2007, I feel confident that 2008 will bring about significant improvement in our performance. This management team is focused on delivering the results that our stakeholders expect and deserve.” Consolidated revenues for the fourth quarter of 2007 decreased $5.4 million, or 4.0%, from the same period in 2006. The consolidated results were negatively impacted by the continued weakness in the U.S. sewer rehabilitation market, along with a slight decrease in Tite Liner revenues, driven principally by market weakness in Canada. While there was a decline in our North American CIPP revenues, we experienced 33% growth in revenues in our European contracting operations, which have been fueled by our expansion into eastern Europe, and continued growth in most western European countries. Consolidated gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2007 decreased $8.3 million, or 24.9%, from the same period in 2006. Gross profit was primarily impacted by the decline in revenues and margins in the U.S. sewer rehabilitation business. Gross profit improved in the European contracting operations by almost 31% due to revenue growth. Consolidated operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2007 decreased $2.8 million, or 12.0%, to $20.2 million from $23.0 million in the same period in 2006, primarily due to decreases in field support expenses in rehabilitation as a result of restructuring efforts. A portion of the decrease in the fourth quarter 2007 operating expenses related to a favorable impact of the voluntary cancellation of certain equity compensation of senior management. There were also decreases in corporate operating expenses due to our ongoing cost reduction efforts. As mentioned earlier, the fourth quarter results reflect the settlement of Insituform Technologies, Inc. et al. v. Cat Contracting et al. In 1990, Insituform initiated proceedings against Cat Contracting, Inc., Michigan Sewer Construction Company, Inc. and Inliner U.S.A., Inc. (subsequently renamed FirstLiner USA, Inc.), along with another party, alleging infringement of certain of Insituform’s in-liner patents. In December 2007, Insituform reached a settlement in principle, for the amount of $4.5 million, in exchange for releases of the various parties. On February 15, 2008, Insituform received proceeds of $4.5 million in connection with the settlement. Consolidated revenues in 2007 declined $31.8 million, or 6.0%, to $495.6 million from $527.4 million in 2006. This decline was driven essentially by the reduction in U.S. rehabilitation business in 2007. Gross profit declined $29.9 million, or 23.2%, to $99.1 million from $129.0 million in 2006. Margins were compressed in 2007 due primarily to the impact of reduced revenues in the U.S., coupled with a shift to smaller diameter installations, which are less profitable. The first quarter of 2007 was the most notable period of decline year over year for gross profit, due to these factors, as well as weak performance in several U.S. regional operations. Operating expenses declined $2.6 million, or 2.8%, to $90.1 million from $92.7 million in 2006, due in large part to the same factors described in the fourth quarter of 2007. Operating income decreased $22.8 million, or 62.7%, to $13.5 million from $36.3 million in 2006. Total contract backlog was $260.3 million at December 31, 2007 compared to $224.6 million at September 30, 2007 and $214.5 million at December 31, 2006. At December 31, 2007, backlog in the rehabilitation segment increased by 12.4% to $234.1 million, compared to $208.3 million at September 30, 2007. This increase was primarily driven by the acquisition of $35.1 million in contracts in India. Backlog was relatively flat in North America, as compared to September 30, 2007, and it was down relative to backlog at December 31, 2006. However, as mentioned earlier, backlog orders increased by 12% in the second half of 2007 over the first half of 2007. Europe experienced a slight decline in backlog in the fourth quarter of 2007, due to strong revenue generation, but there was a 13.4% increase from the prior year’s ending backlog. Total backlog in the rehabilitation segment increased by $32.4 million, or 16.1%, as compared to $201.7 million in backlog at December 31, 2006. Contract backlog at December 31, 2007 reached the highest level in the Tite Liner segment’s history, with an increase of $9.9 million, or 60.7%, to $26.2 million from $16.3 million at September 30, 2007. This represented a 105% increase from December 31, 2006 backlog, which was $12.8 million. Unrestricted cash increased to $79.0 million at December 31, 2007 from $78.0 million at September 30, 2007 due to stronger cash collections, along with proceeds from the sale of certain tunneling assets. During the fourth quarter, there were $5 million in repayments against the Company’s line of credit facility. Year-end unrestricted cash compares to unrestricted cash of $96.4 million at December 31, 2006. This decrease was principally driven by senior debt repayments of $15.7 million in February 2007. Insituform Technologies, Inc. is a leading worldwide provider of proprietary technologies and services for rehabilitating sewer, water and other underground piping systems without digging and disruption. More information about the Company can be found on its Internet site at www.insituform.com. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor” for forward-looking statements. The Company makes forward-looking statements in this news release that represent the company’s beliefs or expectations about future events or financial performance. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the company and on management’s beliefs, assumptions, estimates and projections and are not guarantees of future events or results. When used in this document, the words "anticipate,” "estimate,” "believe,” "plan,” "intend,” "may,” "will” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Such statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those referred to from time to time in Insituform Technologies Inc.’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed may not occur. In addition, our actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated, suggested or projected. Except as required by law, we do not assume a duty to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Please use caution and do not place reliance on forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements made by the Company in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements. Insituform®, the Insituform® logo, Insituform Blue™, and Tite Liner® are the registered and unregistered trademarks of Insituform Technologies, Inc. and its affiliates.   INSITUFORM TECHNOLOGIES, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share amounts)     For the Three Months Ended December 31,   For the Years Ended December 31, 2007   2006 2007   2006   Revenues $ 129,979 $ 135,422 $ 495,570 $ 527,419 Cost of revenues   104,943     102,103     396,462     398,416   Gross profit 25,036 33,319 99,108 129,003 Operating expenses 20,233 23,003 90,078 92,692 Gain on settlement of litigation   (4,500 )   -     (4,500 )   -   Operating income 9,303 10,316 13,530 36,311 Other income (expense): Interest expense (1,228 ) (1,692 ) (5,368 ) (6,834 ) Interest income 1,110 1,347 3,458 3,888 Other   407     3,506     1,451     3,799   Total other income (expense)   289     3,161     (459 )   853   Income before taxes (benefit) on income 9,592 13,477 13,071 37,164 Taxes (benefit) on income   456     3,772     (149 )   11,826   Income before minority interests and equity in earnings of affiliated companies 9,136 9,705 13,220 25,338 Minority interests (273 ) (74 ) (525 ) (316 ) Equity in earnings of affiliated companies   179     648     171     1,281   Income from continuing operations 9,042 10,279 12,866 26,303 Income (loss) from discontinued operations   1,099     155     (10,323 )   (1,625 ) Net income $ 10,141   $ 10,434   $ 2,543   $ 24,678     Earnings (loss) per share: Basic: Income from continuing operations $ 0.33 $ 0.37 $ 0.47 $ 0.97 Income (loss) from discontinued operations   0.04     0.01     (0.38 )   (0.06 ) Net income $ 0.37 $ 0.38 0.09 $ 0.91 Diluted: Income from continuing operations $ 0.33 $ 0.37 $ 0.47 $ 0.96 Income (loss) from discontinued operations   0.04     0.01     (0.38 )   (0.06 ) Net income $ 0.37 $ 0.38 0.09 $ 0.90   Weighted average number of shares: Basic 27,469,613 27,101,908 27,330,835 27,043,651 Diluted 27,599,457 27,538,038 27,644,928 27,504,268   INSITUFORM TECHNOLOGIES, INC. SEGMENT DATA (Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share amounts)     For the Three Months Ended December 31,   For the Years Ended December 31, 2007   2006 2007   2006   Revenues: Rehabilitation $ 121,269 $ 126,074 $ 453,964 $ 481,220 Tite Liner   8,710   9,348   41,606   46,199 Total revenues $ 129,979 $ 135,422 $ 495,570 $ 527,419   Gross profit: Rehabilitation $ 22,097 $ 30,189 $ 83,179 $ 113,625 Tite Liner   2,939   3,130   15,929   15,378 Total gross profit $ 25,036 $ 33,319 $ 99,108 $ 129,003   Operating income: Rehabilitation $ 8,019 (1) $ 8,706 $ 4,410 (1) $ 27,458 Tite Liner   1,284   1,610   9,120   8,853 Total operating income $ 9,303 $ 10,316 $ 13,530 $ 36,311     (1) Includes $4.5 million of litigation settlement related to the rehabilitation segment.   INSITUFORM TECHNOLOGIES, INC. CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (In thousands)     December 31, 2007   December 31, 2006   Assets Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 78,961 $ 96,389 Restricted cash 2,487 934 Receivables, net 85,774 83,009 Retainage 23,444 27,509 Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings 40,590 31,425 Inventories 17,789 17,665 Prepaid expenses and other assets 28,975 25,084 Current assets of discontinued operations   31,269   28,349   Total current assets   309,289   310,364   Property, plant and equipment, less accumulated depreciation   73,368   76,432   Other assets Goodwill 122,560 122,620 Other assets   26,532   15,342   Total other assets   149,092   137,962   Non-current assets of discontinued operations   9,391   25,311     Total Assets $ 541,140 $ 550,069     Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity Current liabilities Current maturities of long-term debt and notes payable $ 1,097 $ 16,814 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 87,935 96,321 Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings 8,602 9,511 Current liabilities of discontinued operations   14,830   13,859   Total current liabilities 112,464 136,505 Long-term debt, less current maturities 65,000 65,046 Other liabilities 7,465 3,686 Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations   953   4,040   Total liabilities   185,882   209,277   Minority interests   2,717   2,181     Stockholders’ equity Preferred stock, undesignated, $.10 par – shares authorized 2,000,000; none Outstanding   - - Common stock, $.01 par – shares authorized 60,000,000; shares issued 27,397,973 and 29,597,044; shares outstanding 27,397,973 and 27,239,580 275 296 Additional paid-in capital 104,332 149,802 Retained earnings 238,976 236,763 Treasury stock – at cost, 0 and 2,357,464 shares - (51,596 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income   8,958   3,346   Total stockholders’ equity   352,541   338,611     Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity $ 541,140 $ 550,069     INSITUFORM TECHNOLOGIES, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (In thousands)     For the Year Ended December 31, 2007   2006   Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 2,543 $ 24,678 Loss from discontinued operations   10,323     1,625   Income from continuing operations 12,866 26,303 Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 16,252 16,620 (Gain) loss on sale of assets/investments 389 (3,223 ) Equity-based compensation expense 2,766 4,254 Write-off of debt issuance costs 162 – Tax benefits related to stock option exercises (1 ) (772 ) Deferred income taxes (4,205 ) 908 Other (442 ) 5,070 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Change in restricted cash related to operating activities (1,569 ) 4,653 Receivables net, retainage and costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings (2,039 ) (17,357 ) Inventories 2,008 (1,766 ) Prepaid expenses and other assets (2,857 ) (1,922 ) Accounts payable and accrued expenses   (13,755 )   10,837   Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations 9,575 43,605 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of discontinued operations   (1,532 )   (3,863 ) Net cash provided by operating activities   8,043     39,742     Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures (14,978 ) (19,713 ) Proceeds from sale of fixed assets 2,610 7,296 Liquidation of life insurance cash surrender value   –     1,423   Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations (12,368 ) (10,994 ) Net cash provided by investing activities of discontinued operations   1,530     3,861   Net cash used in investing activities   (10,838 )   (7,133 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from issuance of common stock 4,247 4,122 Additional tax benefit from stock option exercises recorded in additional paid-in capital 148 772 Proceeds from notes payable 1,966 2,662 Principal payments on notes payable (1,959 ) (4,101 ) Principal payments on long-term debt (15,768 ) (15,735 ) Changes in restricted cash related to financing activities   –     (106 ) Net cash used in financing activities   (11,366 )   (12,386 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash   (3,269 )   (899 ) Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents for the period (17,430 ) 19,324 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year   96,393     77,069   Cash and cash equivalents, end of year $ 78,963   $ 96,393