FOURTH QUARTER SUMMARY:

  • Total revenue decreased by 36% to $14.8 million in the current period, from $23.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2013
  • Gross profit margin was 61% in the current period, compared to 63% in the fourth quarter of 2013, as a result of lower production levels and, to a lesser extent, a shift in mix
  • Operating expenses increased by $6.0 million, or 78%, from $7.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2013 to $13.8 million in the current period due to an increase in research & development and legal expenses
  • Net loss of $(4.9) million, or $(0.09) per share, in the current period, compared to net income of $6.7 million, or $0.13 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2013, on lower volume, higher operating expenses and a shift in mix

FULL YEAR SUMMARY:

  • Total revenue decreased by $12.6 million, from $43.0 million in 2013 to $30.4 million in 2014
  • Gross profit margin decreased from 60% in 2013 to 55% in 2014 as a result of lower production levels and, to a lesser extent, a shift in mix
  • Operating expenses increased by $6.6 million, or 23%, from $28.6 million in 2013 to $35.2 million in 2014
  • Net loss of $(18.7) million, or $(0.36) per share in 2014, compared to $(3.1) million, or $(0.06) per share in 2013, on lower volume, higher operating expenses and a shift in mix
  • Net cash flow of $1.1 million in 2014
  • At December 31, 2014, excluding current and non-current restricted cash of $5.5 million, the Company reported unrestricted cash of $15.5 million, short-term investments of $13.1 million, and long-term investments of $0.3 million, all of which represent a combined total of $28.9 million.

SAN LEANDRO, Calif., March 5, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Energy Recovery Inc. (Nasdaq:ERII), the leader in pressure energy technology for industrial fluid flows, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.


Joel Gay
, Chief Financial Officer, remarked, “Examining our performance in 2014 presents a mixed picture. While we were able to discern a new and exciting market opportunity in fracking through significant R&D investment, our financial performance was nonetheless disappointing. While we continue to maintain a commanding market position in desalination, our overall performance is a function of the health of the market. The long-term fundamentals of global desalination remain strong, however continued uncertainty resulted in project delays and the shifting of opportunities into future periods. This ultimately limited our potential in 2014. Regarding our commercialization efforts in oil & gas, despite executing our first capital sale of an IsoBoost™ system to ConocoPhillips in December, our sales and marketing efforts fell short of expectations.”

Mr. Gay continued, “Over the last three years, we have invested heavily to develop solutions that leverage our core competencies of fluid dynamics and advanced material science – solutions that can be deployed to untended markets across multiple industrial fluid flow applications. We are sensitive to and aware of the need to create value for our shareholders, and our performance in 2014 mandates change. Thus far in 2015, we have made substantive changes to our go-to-market strategy and supporting operational framework, as well as implemented austerity measures to right-size our cost structure. We will approach the coming year with an extreme execution bias, and are confident that Energy Recovery is well-positioned and capitalized to deliver long-term value to its shareholders.”

REVENUES

The Company generated net revenue of $14.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, reflecting a decrease of 36% when compared to the same period of the prior year. From a sequential quarter perspective, net revenue increased by$9.4 million primarily due to the shipment of delayed projects.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, net revenue decreased by $12.6 million, or 29%, to $30.4 million from $43.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The decrease in revenue was primarily due to significantly lower mega-project (MPD) shipments in the current year as compared to the previous year, and to a lesser extent lower OEM shipments. Of the $12.6 million decrease in revenue, $13.2 million and $1.9 million is related to MPD and OEM sales respectively; offset by $1.7 million of aftermarket sales, and by $784,000 of oil & gas revenue attributed to an operating lease and subsequent lease buy-out.

GROSS MARGIN

Decreased production was the primary driver to a gross profit margin decline from 63% in the prior-year quarter to 61% in the current period. A favorable shift in mix due to MPD shipments resulted in the Company’s gross profit margin increase in sequential terms from 44% in the third quarter of 2014 to 61% in the current period.

For the year, gross profit margin decreased from 60% in 2013 to 55% in 2014 due to decreased production and to a lesser extent, a shift in mix.

OPERATING EXPENSES

Operating expenses for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 increased from $7.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2013 to $13.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. Contributing factors included significant investment in research & development and higher legal expenses. From a sequential quarter perspective, operating expenses increased by $6.0 million, also due to research & development and higher legal expenses.

For the fiscal year ended in 2014, operating expenses increased by $6.6 million, from $28.6 million in 2013 to $35.2 million. The increase in research & development and sales & marketing expenses is attributed to the Company’s effort to identify and penetrate new markets.

To summarize financial performance on a full-year basis, the Company reported a net loss of $(18.7) million, or $(0.36) per share; largely due to lower volume, a shift in product mix, and continued sales & marketing and research & development investment in growth initiatives. Comparatively, the Company reported a net loss of $(3.1) million, or $(0.06) per share, in 2013.

CASHFLOW HIGHLIGHTS

For the fiscal year ended in 2014, the Company generated net cash flow of $1.1 million. The net loss of $(18.7) million included non-cash expenses of $7.8 million, the largest of which were depreciation and amortization of $4.0 million, and share-based compensation of $2.1 million.

Cash used by operating activities was $(3.7) million; favorably impacting cash from operating activities by $8.9 million was the monetization of receivables on depressed revenue as compared to the prior year, offset by $(3.6) million given an increase in inventory due to lower demand and project delays. Cash generated from investing activities was $6.5 million; favorably impacting cash from investing activities by $6.0 million and $3.3 million were maturities of marketable securities and the release of restricted cash respectively, offset by $2.6 million of capital expenditures. Cash used by financing activities was $(1.8) million; negatively impacting cash from financing activities by $2.8 million and $1.4 million were the repurchase of common stock and the payment of contingent consideration respectively, offset by $2.4 million of proceeds from issuance of common stock related to option and warrant exercises. The payment of contingent consideration relates to a settlement with the former shareholders of Pump Engineering, Inc.

Excluding current and non-current restricted cash of $5.5 million, the Company reported unrestricted cash of $15.5 million, short-term investments of $13.1 million, and long-term investments of $0.3 million, all of which represent a combined total of $28.9 million.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to us and on management’s beliefs, assumptions, estimates, or projections and are not guarantees of future events or results. When used in this document, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “excited,” “expect,” “remain,” “will,” “probable” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not exclusive means of identifying such statements. Because such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, the Company’s actual results may differ materially from the predictions in these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are made as of today, and the Company assumes no obligation to update such statements. In addition to any other factors that may have been discussed herein regarding the risks and uncertainties of our business, please see “Risk Factors” in our Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 5, 2015 as well as other reports filed by the Company with the SEC from time to time.

Conference Call to Discuss Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results for 2014

LIVE CONFERENCE CALL WEBCAST:CONFERENCE CALL REPLAY:
Thursday, March 5, 2015, 2:30pm PSTExpiration: March 19, 2015
Listen-only, Toll-free: 888-455-2263 
Listen-only, Int’l Toll: 719-325-2469Toll-free: 888-203-1112
Conference ID: 8618195Int’l Toll: 719-457-0820
 Access code: 8618195

About Energy Recovery Inc

Energy Recovery (Nasdaq:ERII) develops award-winning solutions to improve productivity, profitability, and energy efficiency within the oil & gas, chemical, and water industries. Our products simplify complex systems and protect vulnerable equipment. By recycling fluid pressure that would otherwise be lost in critical processes, we save clients more than $1.4 billion (USD) annually. Headquartered in the Bay Area, Energy Recovery has offices inShanghai and Dubai.

Unaudited Consolidated Financial Results
ENERGY RECOVERY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
  Three Months Ended
 December 31, 		  Year Ended
 December 31, 
 2014  2013  2014  2013 
Net revenue $ 14,780$ 23,235$ 30,426$ 43,045
Cost of revenue  5,722 8,708 13,713 17,323
Gross profit 9,058 14,527 16,713 25,722
Operating expenses:    
General and administrative 6,027 4,071 14,139 15,192
Sales and marketing 2,977 2,345 10,525 7,952
Research and development 4,601 1,115 9,690 4,361
Amortization of intangible assets  196 230 842 921
Restructuring charges  — — — 184
Total operating expenses  13,801 7,761 35,196 28,610
(Loss) income from operations (4,743) 6,766 (18,483) (2,888)
Other income (expense):    
Other non-operating income  (58) 30 69 109
(Loss) income before income taxes (4,801) 6,796 (18,414) (2,779)
Provision for income taxes  104 69 291 327
Net (loss) income $ (4,905)$ 6,727$ (18,705)$ (3,106)
(Loss) income per share:    
Basic$ (0.09)$ 0.13$ (0.36)$ (0.06)
Diluted$ (0.09)$ 0.13$ (0.36)$ (0.06)
Number of shares used in per share calculations:    
Basic Shares  51,822 51,200 51,675 51,066
Diluted Shares  51,822 53,305 51,675 51,006
 
ENERGY RECOVERY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
 December 31, 
 2014  2013 
 (In thousands,
except share data and par value)
ASSETS
Current assets:  
Cash and cash equivalents $ 15,501 $ 14,371
Restricted cash 2,623 4,311
Short-term investments 13,072 5,856
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $155 and $241 at December 31, 2014 and 2013 10,941 15,222
Unbilled receivables, current 1,343 5,442
Inventories 8,204 4,955
Deferred tax assets, net 240 698
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  1,317  1,018
Total current assets 53,241 51,873
Restricted cash, non-current 2,850 4,468
Unbilled receivables, non-current 414 1,197
Long-term investments 267 13,694
Property and equipment, net 13,211 13,903
Goodwill 12,790 12,790
Other intangible assets, net 3,166 4,008
Other assets, non-current  2  2
Total assets $ 85,941 $ 101,935
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:  
Accounts payable $ 1,817 $ 1,209
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 8,427 7,963
Income taxes payable 4 22
Accrued warranty reserve 755 709
Deferred revenue  519  779
Total current liabilities 11,522 10,682
Deferred tax liabilities, non-current, net 1,989 2,131
Deferred revenue, non-current 59 130
Other non-current liabilities  2,453  2,077
Total liabilities  16,023  15,020
Commitments and Contingencies  
Stockholders’ equity:  
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding — —
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 54,398,421 shares issued and 51,918,965 shares outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 53,136,704 shares issued and 51,354,101 shares outstanding at December 31, 2013 54 53
Additional paid-in capital 124,440 119,932
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (73) (107)
Treasury stock, at cost 2,479,456 shares repurchased at December 31, 2014 and 1,782,603 shares repurchased at December 31, 2013 (6,835) (4,000)
Accumulated deficit  (47,668)  (28,963)
Total stockholders’ equity  69,918  86,915
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 85,941 $ 101,935
 
ENERGY RECOVERY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
 Years Ended December 31, 
 2014  2013  2012 
 (In thousands)
Cash Flows From Operating Activities   
Net loss$ (18,705)$ (3,106)$ (8,254)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by
operating activities:		   
Depreciation and amortization 4,028 3,797 3,802
Stock-based compensation 2,104 2,177 2,615
Amortization of premiums on investments 453 409 507
Valuation adjustments for excess or obsolete inventory 320 297 857
Deferred income taxes 315 227 150
Provision for doubtful accounts 299 69 6
Provision for warranty claims 156 126 601
Loss on disposal of fixed assets 38 71 49
Gain on fair value remeasurement of contingent consideration (149) — —
Gain on foreign currency transactions (111) (27) (5)
Tax benefit on other comprehensive income (42) — —
Non-cash restructuring charges — 184 314
Impairment of intangible assets — — 1,020
Interest accrued on notes receivables from stockholders — — (1)
Reversal of accruals related to expired warranties — (340) —
Other non-cash adjustments 375 (123) 113
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:   
Unbilled receivables 4,882 (751) (4,830)
Accounts receivable 4,002 (2,042) (6,779)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 1,864 (686) 2,068
Accounts payable 628 (866) 583
Inventories (3,569) (117) 1,832
Deferred revenue (331) (420) 209
Prepaid and other assets (254) 3,227 692
Income taxes payable (18) (18) 19
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (3,715) 2,088 (4,432)
    
Cash Flows From Investing Activities   
Maturities of marketable securities 6,027 9,573 13,116
Restricted cash 3,306 822 1,318
Capital expenditures (2,562) (1,132) (2,810)
Purchases of marketable securities (273) (15,278) (4,961)
Proceeds from sale of capitalized assets — 1,163 —
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 6,498 (4,852) 6,663
    
Cash Flows From Financing Activities   
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock 2,405 504 30
Repurchase of common stock (2,835) — (4,000)
Payment of contingent consideration (1,375) — —
Repayment of long-term debt — — (85)
Repayment of capital lease obligation — (18) (82)
Repayment of notes receivable from stockholders — — 24
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (1,805) 486 (4,113)
Effect of exchange rate differences on cash and cash equivalents 152 7 17
Net change in cash and cash equivalents 1,130 (2,271) (1,865)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 14,371 16,642 18,507
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year$ 15,501$ 14,371$ 16,642
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:   
Cash paid for interest$ —$ 1$ 6
Cash received for income tax refunds$ 1$ 3,123$ 442
Cash paid for income taxes$ 35$ 22$ 23
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash transactions:   
Purchases of property and equipment in trade accounts payable and accrued expenses and other liabilities$ 1$ 31$ 279