Energy Recovery Reports Third Quarter and Year-to-Date 2016 Results

SAN LEANDRO, Calif., Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Energy Recovery Inc. (NASDAQ:ERII), the leader in pressure energy technology for industrial fluid flows, today announced its financial results for the third quarter ended on September 30, 2016 as well as the year-to-date results for the first nine months of 2016.

Joel Gay, President and Chief Executive Officer said, "This quarter represents the third consecutive quarter where we achieved a new high watermark in gross-profitability.  Total gross margins of 68% are the direct result of the comprehensive strategic and operational overhaul initiated in January of last year; they also demonstrate both the resiliency of our business model in challenging and at times stochastic economic conditions, and the pricing power we are able to deploy against prohibitive product offerings. Our operating expenses reflect the funding of a vibrant product development pipeline; a pipeline that is expected to produce a new derivative of the pressure exchanger in 2017. Our operating expenses also reflect the support of the VorTeq™ milestone testing and commercialization process.  Here, the milestone mobilization testing process continues, and in the quarter, despite the VorTeq pressure exchangers performing to our expectations, we encountered operational challenges with the missile or manifold that necessitated design enhancements. Our singular objective regarding the VorTeq is commercialization. We have significantly increased our understanding of the technology through data analysis and partnership with Schlumberger. We will stay the course and only pursue those actions that directly correlate to the production of a reliable offering capable of delivering significant value to our licensing partner.  As such, we deem it likely that the achievement of the milestones will move into 2017 and look forward to closing out what we expect to be a record year in terms of revenue and profitability."  

Schlumberger added, "The incorporation of the VorTeq hydraulic fracturing system in our next generation surface delivery systems is expected to help reduce fracturing pump wear, and increase wellsite equipment reliability and efficiency. Schlumberger looks forward to continuing its collaboration with Energy Recovery throughout the technology validation process."

Third Quarter 2016 Summary

• Third quarter total revenue year-over-year increased 1% to $12.3 million
• Record product gross profit margins for the third consecutive quarter of 64%; a year-over-year increase of 490 basis points
• Record total gross profit margins⁽¹⁾ for the third consecutive quarter of 68%; a year-over-year increase of 860 basis points

YTD 2016 Summary

• Total revenue year-over-year increased 29% to $36.8 million
• Product gross margin was 64% for the period, an increase of 740 basis points year-over-year; total gross margin⁽²⁾ climbed to 68%, a year-over-year increase of 1,100 basis points

Revenues

The Company generated total revenue of $12.3 million in the third quarter of 2016, a 1% increase compared to $12.1 million in the third quarter of 2015. Energy Recovery had $11.0 million in product revenue in the third quarter of 2016, down from $12.1 million in the third quarter of 2015.

Year-over-year, water segment mega project ("MPD") revenue as well as oil & gas revenue increased, however these gains were partially offset by decreases in OEM shipments, due to project timing, and Aftermarket revenue in the water segment.

The overall increase in revenues was driven by the recognition of $1.3 million in license and development revenue associated with the amortization of the $75 million exclusivity fee paid by Schlumberger for the use of the Company's VorTeq hydraulic fracturing system. The Company recognized no such revenue during the same period last year.

In addition, during the third quarter, Energy Recovery introduced percentage-of-completion ("POC") as a new revenue recognition method for select Oil & Gas product sales. In the quarter, the Company applied POC to the previously announced purchase order for multiple units of the IsoBoost^TM technology for integration into a major new-build gas processing plant located the Middle East. Under the POC method, revenue is recognized over the life of the project based on the ratio of costs incurred to estimated final costs. In the third quarter of 2016, the Company recognized $0.5 million of POC revenue for this project.

The Schlumberger exclusivity fee will continue to be amortized on a level basis through the duration of the 15-year agreement. Schlumberger will also pay two (2) separate $25 million payments (for a total of $50 million) subject to the Company satisfying certain milestones and key performance indicators. Following commercialization, Schlumberger will pay an annual royalty fee of $1.5 million per VorTeq in service per year for the duration of the license agreement. Total annual royalties are dictated by VorTeq minimum adoption requirements as a percentage of Schlumberger's active fleets.

Gross Margin

Product gross margin increased by 490 basis points to 64% in the third quarter of 2016, compared to 59% in the third quarter of 2015. Including license and development revenue associated with the Schlumberger exclusivity fee, total gross margin⁽[2]⁾ increased by 860 basis points to 68%.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for the third quarter of 2016 increased to $9.0 million from $7.4 million in the third quarter of 2015. The variance was primarily attributed to an increase in engineering headcount to further fund the Company's product development pipeline as well as higher R&D expenses related to the VorTeq commercialization process.

Bottom Line Summary

To summarize financial performance, the Company reported a net loss of $0.6 million, or $(0.01) per share, in the third quarter of 2016. Comparatively, the Company reported a net loss of $0.3 million, or $(0.01) per share, in the third quarter of 2015.

Cash Flow Highlights

The Company ended the quarter with unrestricted cash of $80.7 million, current and non-current restricted cash of $3.8 million, and short-term investments of $15.0 million, all of which represent a combined total of $99.5 million.

During the nine months of 2016, the Company's net cash provided by operating activities was $2.3 million. This includes a net loss of $2.1 million and non-cash expenses of $5.0 million, the largest of which were share-based compensation of $2.6 million and depreciation and amortization of $2.8 million. The monetization of receivables favorably impacted cash from operating activities by $4.3 million, offset by $1.2 million in other assets and liabilities and a reduction of $3.8 million in deferred revenue related to the amortization of the Schlumberger exclusivity fee. Cash used in investing activities was $15.8 million driven by $15.9 million in purchases of marketable securities and $0.9 million in capital expenditures, offset by $1 million received from the maturity of marketable securities. Cash used in financing activities was $5.7 million, attributed to stock repurchases of $9.4 million, offset by $3.7 million collected from the issuance of common stock related to option exercises. 

¹ Total gross margin is a Non-GAAP financial measure. Please refer to the discussion under headings "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and "Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

² Total gross profit, total gross margin, adjusted net income (loss), and adjusted basic and diluted net income (loss) per share are Non-GAAP financial measures. Please refer to the discussion under headings "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and "Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain matters discussed in this press release and on the conference call are "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, including the Company's expectations for its financial performance in 2016 and the Company's ability to achieve the milestones under the Schlumberger licensing agreement and receive the related contractual payments.  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.  Potential risks and uncertainties include our ability to achieve the milestones under the Schlumberger agreement, any other factors that may have been discussed herein regarding the risks and uncertainties of our business, and the risks discussed under "Risk Factors" in our Form 10-K filed with the U.S.  Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 3, 2016 as well as other reports filed by the Company with the SEC from time to time. 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.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, including total gross margin. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's performance, financial position, or cash flows that either exclude or include amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or GAAP.  These non-GAAP financial measures do not reflect a comprehensive system of accounting, differ from GAAP measures with the same captions, and may differ from non-GAAP financial measures with the same or similar captions that are used by other companies. As such, these non-GAAP measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. The Company uses these non-GAAP financial measures to analyze its operating performance and future prospects, develop internal budgets and financial goals, and to facilitate period-to-period comparisons. The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of its operations that, when viewed with its GAAP results, provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting its business.

Conference Call to Discuss Third Quarter 2016 Results

Investors may also access the live call or the replay over the internet at ir.energyrecovery.com. The replay will be available approximately three hours after the live call concludes.

About Energy Recovery Inc.

Energy Recovery (ERII) is an energy solutions provider to industrial fluid flow markets worldwide. Energy Recovery solutions recycle and convert wasted pressure energy into a usable asset and preserve pumps that are subject to hostile processing environments. With award-winning technology, Energy Recovery simplifies complex industrial systems while improving productivity, profitability, and efficiency within the oil & gas, chemical processing, and water industries. Energy Recovery products save clients more than $1.7 billion (USD) annually.  Headquartered in the Bay Area, Energy Recovery has offices in Houston, Ireland, Shanghai, and Dubai. For more information about the Company, please visit www.energyrecovery.com.

Contact

Brian Uhlmer
[email protected]
(713) 858-2284

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SOURCE Energy Recovery Inc.