UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): October 15, 2019

 

Steel Connect, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
     
Delaware 001-35319 04-2921333
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
(Commission
File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
     
1601 Trapelo Road, Suite 170
Waltham, Massachusetts
02451
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (781) 663-5000

 

 
(Former Name or Former Address, If Changed Since Last Report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class Trading Symbol(s) Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value STCN

Nasdaq Global Select

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 

Item 2.02Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

On October 15, 2019, Steel Connect, Inc. (the “Registrant”) issued a press release reporting its results of operations for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended July 31, 2019. A copy of the press release issued by the Registrant concerning the foregoing results is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

The information contained herein and in the accompanying exhibit shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Registrant, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing, unless expressly incorporated by specific reference to such filing. The information in this report, including the exhibit hereto, shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section or Sections 11 and 12(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Item 9.01.Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)       Exhibits.

Exhibit No. Description
99.1 Press Release

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

October 16, 2019 Steel Connect, Inc.
   
   
   
   
  By:

/s/ Louis J. Belardi

    Name: Louis J. Belardi
    Title: Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

Steel Connect Reports Financial Results for Fiscal Year 2019 and the Fourth Quarter

 

WALTHAM, Mass. (October 15, 2019) – Steel Connect, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ Global Select Market: STCN) today announced financial results for its fiscal year ended July 31, 2019 and the fourth quarter.

 

Operating Results

 

Fiscal Year ended July 31, 2019 Financial Highlights

 

·Net revenue for fiscal 2019 increased $174.6 million to $819.8 million, compared to net revenue of $645.2 million in fiscal year 2018
·Gross margin increased 260 basis points to 18.3% in fiscal 2019, compared to 15.7% in fiscal year 2018
·Operating loss was ($25.2) million in fiscal 2019, compared to a loss of ($8.3) million in fiscal year 2018
·Adjusted EBITDA increased $29.4 million to $65.4 million, compared to $36.0 million in fiscal year 2018

 

Fourth Quarter Financial Highlights

 

·Net revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 increased $9.4 million to $204.5 million, compared to $195.1 million for the same period of 2018
·Gross margin was 18.2% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, compared to 19.1% for the same period of 2018
·Operating loss was ($33.1) million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, compared to a loss of ($0.2) million for the same period of 2018
·Adjusted EBITDA was $14.8 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, compared to $15.5 million for the same period of 2018

 

The Company is presenting EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to assist investors with their understanding of the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. See “Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measurements” below for the definitions of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA.

 

Fiscal Year 2019 and Fourth Quarter Highlights

 

·Net cash provided by operating activities was $20.8 million, compared to $10.0 million in fiscal 2018
·At July 31, 2019, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $32.5 million, compared to $92.1 million at July 31, 2018, primarily due to the settlement of the Company’s convertible notes which matured on March 1, 2019
·Total debt decreased by $65.7 million from July 31, 2018 to July 31, 2019
·Capital expenditures were $14.5 million during fiscal 2019, primarily for facility modernization and to increase operational efficiencies
·During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company recorded liabilities totaling $32.1 million related to certain tax-related liabilities, which reflected the Company’s revised estimate for such exposure

 

 

 

Warren Lichtenstein, Executive Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer of Steel Connect, stated, “Our fiscal year 2019 results show improvements throughout the businesses. We recorded an increase of $29.4 in Adjusted EBITDA and increased net cash provided by operating activities by $10.8 million, while significantly reducing our total debt. We have delivered growth and are focused on cost reduction and facility rationalization to improve margins. Excluding a $32.1 million charge in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 related to certain tax-related liabilities, operating results in the fourth quarter of 2019 were comparable with the same period in 2018. Looking forward to fiscal year 2020, we remain focused on driving efficiencies in both our Supply Chain and Direct Marketing segments, leveraging the Steel Business System and SteelGrow, and other management tools and services. I believe we will realize additional savings and synergies over time. We continue to drive positive changes to enhance our organization, support our customers, and deliver increased shareholder value.”

 

Fiscal Year Financial Summary

 

During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2019, the Company changed the determination of reportable segments. The Company has determined that it has two reportable segments: Services (“Supply Chain”) and Products (“Direct Marketing” or “IWCO”). The July 31, 2018 financial information has been restated to reflect these changes on a comparable basis.

 

Net Revenue

 

The Company reported net revenue of $819.8 million for the twelve months ended July 31, 2019, compared to $645.2 million for the same period in the prior year, an increase of $174.6 million or 27.1%. The year-over-year improvement was primarily related to the Direct Marketing segment as IWCO Direct was acquired in December 2017. Supply Chain revenues decreased $13.0 million as the Company focused on profitable product lines.

 

Operating Loss

 

The Company reported operating loss of ($25.2) million for the twelve months ended July 31, 2019, compared to an operating loss of ($8.3) million for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of ($16.9) million. This decrease was attributable to a $32.1 million adjustment related to certain tax-related liabilities recorded by IWCO. Operating results were also negatively impacted by an increase of $10.1 million in non-cash amortization of intangible assets related to the IWCO acquisition. Fiscal year 2018 operating results were favorably impacted by a $12.7 million gain on sale of property.

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

The Company reported Adjusted EBITDA of $65.4 million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2019, compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $36.0 million in fiscal year 2018, an increase of $29.4 million.

 

 

 

Fourth Quarter Financial Summary

 

Net Revenue

 

The Company reported net revenue of $204.5 million for the fourth quarter ended July 31, 2019, compared to $195.1 million for the same quarter in the prior year, an increase of $9.4 million. Revenue in the Direct Marketing segment for the fourth quarter ended July 31, 2019 was $124.4 million, compared to $119.2 million for the prior period ended July 31, 2018. The year-over-year increase was primarily related to an increase in the average price per package mailed. The Company’s Supply Chain business reported total revenue of $80.1 million for quarter ended July 31, 2019, compared to $75.9 million for the same period in the prior year. This increase is primarily related to higher net revenue from programs in the computing and consumer electronics markets.

 

Operating Loss

 

The Company reported an operating loss of ($33.1) million for the fourth quarter ended July 31, 2019, compared to an operating loss of ($0.2) million for the same period in the prior year. The decrease of ($32.9) million year-over-year was primarily related to the adjustment for tax-related liabilities previously mentioned, as well as a $2.5 million non-cash asset impairment charge recorded by Supply Chain during the fourth quarter of 2019.

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

The Company reported Adjusted EBITDA of $14.8 million for the three months ended July 31, 2019, compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $15.5 million in the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $0.7 million.

 

About Steel Connect, Inc.

 

Steel Connect, Inc. is a diversified holding company with two wholly-owned subsidiaries, ModusLink Corporation and IWCO Direct, that have market-leading positions in supply chain management and direct marketing.

 

ModusLink Corporation provides supply chain business management services to many of the world’s great brands across a diverse range of industries, including consumer electronics, telecommunications, computing and storage, software and content, consumer packaged goods, medical devices, retail and luxury goods. With experience and expertise in packaging, kitting and assembly, fulfillment, digital commerce, reverse logistics, as well as a global footprint spanning the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region, the Company’s adaptive approach to supply chain services helps to drive growth, lower costs, and improve profitability.

 

IWCO Direct is a leading provider of data-driven marketing solutions that help clients drive response across all marketing channels to create new and more loyal customers. It is one of the largest direct mail production providers in North America, with a full range of services including strategy, creative, and execution for omnichannel marketing campaigns, along with one of the industry’s most sophisticated postal logistics strategies for direct mail.

 

For details on ModusLink Corporation’s solutions visit www.moduslink.com, read the Company’s blog for supply chain professionals, and follow on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

 

For details on IWCO Direct visit www.iwco.com, read the Company’s blog, “SpeakingDIRECT,” or follow on LinkedIn and Twitter.

 

Steel Connect, ModusLink, and IWCO Direct are registered trademarks of Steel Connect, Inc. All other company names and products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

 

 

 

Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measurements

 

In addition to the financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, the Company uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP financial measures, to assess its performance. EBITDA represents earnings before interest income, interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization of intangible assets. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) excluding net charges related to interest income, interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, strategic consulting and other related professional fees, executive severance and employee retention, restructuring, non-cash charge related to a fair value step-up to work-in-process inventory, charge for tax-related liabilities, share-based compensation, gain (loss) on sale of long-lived assets, impairment of long-lived assets, unrealized foreign exchange (gains) losses, net, other non-operating (gains) losses, net, and (gains) losses on investments in affiliates and impairments.

 

We believe that providing EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to investors is useful, as these measures provide important supplemental information of our performance to investors and permit investors and management to evaluate the operating performance of our business. We use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA in internal forecasts and models when establishing internal operating budgets, supplementing the financial results and forecasts reported to our Board of Directors, determining a component of incentive compensation for executive officers and other key employees based on operating performance, and evaluating short-term and long-term operating trends in our core business segments. We believe that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA financial measures assist in providing an enhanced understanding of our underlying operational measures to manage our core businesses, to evaluate performance compared to prior periods and the marketplace, and to establish operational goals. We believe that these non-GAAP financial adjustments are useful to investors because they allow investors to evaluate the effectiveness of the methodology and information used by management in our financial and operational decision-making.

 

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial information provided in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures may not be computed in the same manner as similarly titled measures used by other companies.

 

See the EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation included in the financial tables of this release.

 

 

 

Forward-Looking Statements and Use of Non-GAAP Measures

 

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements in this release that are not historical facts are hereby identified as “forward-looking statements” for the purpose of the safe harbor provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including without limitation, those with respect to the Company’s goals, plans, expectations, and strategies set forth herein are forward-looking statements. The following important factors and uncertainties, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements: the Company’s ability to execute on its business strategy and to achieve anticipated synergies and benefits from business acquisitions, including any cost reduction plans and the continued and increased demand for and market acceptance of its services, which could negatively affect the Company’s ability to meet its revenue, operating income and cost savings targets, maintain and improve its cash position, expand its operations and revenue, lower its costs, improve its gross margins, reach and sustain profitability, reach its long-term objectives and operate optimally; the Company’s ability to repay indebtedness; failure to realize expected benefits of restructuring and cost-cutting actions; the Company’s ability to preserve and monetize its net operating losses; difficulties integrating technologies, operations, and personnel in accordance with the Company’s business strategy; client or program losses; demand variability with clients to which the Company sells on a purchase order basis rather than pursuant to contracts with minimum purchase requirements; failure to settle disputes and litigation on terms favorable to the Company; risks inherent with conducting international operations; and increased competition and technological changes in the markets in which the Company competes. For a detailed discussion of cautionary statements and risks that may affect the Company’s future results of operations and financial results, please refer to the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the risk factors in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These filings are available on the Company’s Investor Relations website under the “SEC Filings” tab.

 

All forward-looking statements are necessarily only estimates of future results, and there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from expectations, and, therefore, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

Investor Relations Contact:

Jennifer Golembeske

212-520-2300

jgolembeske@steelpartners.com

 

– Tables to Follow –

 

 

  

 

       
Steel Connect, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
       
    July 31,    July 31, 
    2019    2018 
           
 Assets:          
         Cash and cash equivalents  $32,548   $92,138 
         Accounts receivable, net   112,141    99,254 
         Inventories, net   23,674    47,786 
         Restricted cash   13,516    11,688 
         Prepaid and other current assets   31,445    13,415 
 Total current assets   213,324    264,281 
           
 Property and equipment, net   91,268    106,632 
 Goodwill   257,128    254,352 
 Other intangible assets, net   162,518    192,964 
 Other assets   7,325    8,821 
 Total assets  $731,563   $827,050 
           
 Liabilities:          
         Accounts payable  $85,898   $78,212 
         Accrued expenses   112,658    88,426 
         Restricted cash   13,516    11,688 
         Current portion of long-term debt   5,732    5,727 
         Other current liabilities   39,046    42,029 
         Convertible Notes payable   —      50,274 
 Total current liabilities   256,850    276,356 
         Convertible Notes payable   7,432    14,256 
         Long-term debt, excluding current portion   368,505    383,111 
         Other long-term liabilities   10,898    10,507 
 Total liabilities   643,685    684,230 
           
 Contingently redeemable preferred stock   35,186    35,192 
           
 Stockholders' equity   52,692    107,628 
           
 Total liabilities, contingently redeemable preferred stock and stockholders' equity  $731,563   $827,050 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steel Connect, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
                   
   Three Months Ended July 31,  Twelve Months Ended July 31,
   2019  2018  Fav (Unfav)  2019  2018  Fav (Unfav)
                   
Net revenue:                              
     Services  $80,116   $75,897    5.6%  $332,928   $345,900    (3.8%)
     Products   124,355    119,180    4.3%   486,902    299,358    62.6%
     Total net revenue   204,471    195,077    4.8%   819,830    645,258    27.1%
                               
Cost of revenue   167,345    157,721    (6.1%)   670,100    543,999    (23.2%)
     Gross profit   37,126    37,356    (0.6%)   149,730    101,259    47.9%
    18.2%   19.1%   (1.0%)   18.3%   15.7%   2.6%
Operating expenses:                              
     Selling, general and administrative   62,376    29,296    (112.9%)   144,078    101,972    (41.3%)
     Amortization of intangible assets   7,277    8,214    11.4%   30,446    20,285    (50.1%)
     (Gain) loss on sale of property   571       N/M    485    (12,692)   (103.8%)
     Total operating expenses   70,224    37,510    (87.2%)   175,009    109,565    (59.7%)
Operating loss   (33,098)   (154)   N/M    (25,279)   (8,306)   N/M 
Other expenses, net   (4,170)   (7,063)   41.0%   (36,820)   (26,982)   (36.5%)
Loss before taxes   (37,268)   (7,216)   (416.4%)   (62,099)   (35,288)   (76.0%)
Income tax expense (benefit)   713    516    (38.1%)   4,670    (71,202)   N/M 
Gains on investments in affiliates, net of tax   —      (200)   N/M    (42)   (801)   (94.8%)
Net income (loss)   (37,981)   (7,533)   (404.2%)   (66,727)   36,715    281.7%
                               
Less: Preferred dividends on redeemable preferred stock   (532)   (536)   0.8%   (2,129)   (1,335)   (59.5%)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders  $(38,513)  $(8,069)   (377.3%)  $(68,856)  $35,380    N/M 
                               
Basic net earnings (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders:  $(0.63)  $(0.13)       $(1.13)  $0.60      
Diluted net earnings (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders:  $(0.63)  $(0.13)       $(1.13)  $0.53      
                               
Weighted average common shares used in:                              
Basic earnings (loss) per share   61,180    62,081         61,180    59,179      
Diluted earnings (loss) per share   61,180    62,081         61,180    81,899      

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steel Connect, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of Selected Non-GAAP Measures to GAAP Measures

(in thousands)
(unaudited) 

Net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA                    
    Three Months Ended July 31,    Twelve Months Ended July 31,  
                     
    2019    2018    2019    2018 
                     
Net income (loss)  $(37,981)  $(7,533)  $(66,727)  $36,715 
                     
Interest income   (11)   (248)   (528)   (679)
Interest expense   9,616    10,521    41,951    29,884 
Income tax expense   713    516    4,670    (71,202)
Depreciation   5,726    5,403    22,058    16,791 
Amortization of intangible assets   7,278    8,214    30,446    20,285 
EBITDA   (14,659)   16,872    31,870    31,794 
                     
Strategic consulting and other related professional fees   100    30    722    2,937 
Executive severance and employee retention   312    —      387    202 
Restructuring   57    152    57    271 
Non-cash charge related to a fair value step-up to work-in-process inventory   —      240    —      7,211 
Adjustments related to certain tax liabilities   32,070    —      32,070    —   
Share-based compensation   93    1,144    1,267    10,801 
(Gain) loss on sale of long-lived asset   571    765    485    (12,070)
Impairment of long-lived assets   2,546    —      3,015    (91)
Unrealized foreign exchange gains, net   (1,835)   (1,966)   (115)   (2,408)
Other non-cash gains, net   (4,494)   (1,568)   (4,265)   (1,839)
Gains on investments in affiliates and impairments   —      (200)   (42)   (801)
Adjusted EBITDA  $14,761   $15,470   $65,451   $36,007