Imaflex Inc. announces results for the quarter ended September 30, 2012

TICKER SYMBOL:  IFX

MONTREAL, Nov. 20, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Imaflex Inc. (the "Company") (TSXV: IFX) announces results for the quarter ended September 30, 2012.

The results include those of Imaflex Inc. ("Imaflex") located in Montréal (Québec), its divisions Canguard Packaging ("Canguard") and Canslit ("Canslit") located in Victoriaville (Québec), and its wholly owned subsidiary, Imaflex USA Inc. ("Imaflex USA") located in Thomasville (North Carolina).

Summary - Results of Operations

Sales in the third quarter typically suffer in the Canadian operations. However, the three months ended September 30, 2012 showed operational improvements over the same period in 2011, due to a good performance late in the quarter for all divisions as well as improved sales and profitability in the US operations throughout the quarter. However, these operational improvements are not reflected in the bottom line due to very large swings in the foreign exchange as the US dollar weakened against the Canadian dollar in 2012 whereas it strengthened in 2011. As expected, sales decreased over the second quarter of 2012; however the Company's gross margin did not suffer as much as it had during the third quarter of 2011 as overall operational improvements contributed to relatively better results.

Sales

While sales for the three-month periods in the Canadian operations were negatively impacted by a planned two week shutdown in both 2012 and 2011, the improvements in the US operations following the business acquisition coupled with generally stronger customer orders after slower first and second quarters fueled the sales increase in 2012. This was partially offset by the lower average selling price caused by several polyethylene resin price decreases previously in the year.

Despite an increase in sales during the second and third quarters, sales for the nine-month period decreased by approximately $1.2 million. This is mainly explained by a lower volume of sales during the first quarter for some of the Company's important product lines given the expectation of lower prices. This was partially offset by higher average selling prices earlier in the year.

Gross profit margin

Gross profit before amortization of production equipment increased for the three-month period due to the additional volume of sales generated by the business acquisition, which is starting to contribute to overall profitability. These sales yielded an increased profit margin, which went up from 10.3% in 2011 to 12.5% in 2012. Operating costs in the existing facilities were optimized and also enabled the Company to operate more efficiently. The slightly higher amortization of production equipment led to an increase in gross profit of $298 thousand year over year.

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012, gross profit before amortization of production equipment decreased by approximately $603 thousand and the gross margin before amortization of production equipment decreased from 13.5% to 12.2%. This is mainly explained by a lower sales volume, which was only partially offset by the new business from the acquired assets.

Income taxes

The loss before income taxes led to an income tax recovery of $30 thousand for the three-month period ended September 30, 2012, whereas the profit before income taxes realized in 2011 led to an income tax expense of $75 thousand. Due to non-deductible losses on a tax basis, the recovery represents only 6.0% of the loss before taxes whereas the inability of the Company to use losses generated by a foreign entity led to an income tax expense representing 47.8% of profit before tax in 2011.

Over the nine-month period in 2012, the Company incurred a $103 thousand income tax expense despite the net loss before income taxes due to non-deductible losses in the Canadian entity and its inability to use losses generated by its foreign subsidiary. In 2011, the Company incurred a $408 thousand expense, representing 60.3% of profit before tax.

Capital Resources

The Company has an operating line of credit with its bankers to a maximum of $ 8,500,000 bearing interest at a rate of prime plus 2.30%.  The line of credit is secured by trade receivables, inventories and property, plant and equipment.  At September 30, 2012, the Company had drawn $ 5,745,551 on its line of credit ($ 5,627,248 as at December 31 2011). The Company's working capital decreased since December 31, 2011, going from $ 1,748,337 to $ 1,072,825, however this is mainly explained by approximately $ 689,850 of accounts receivable being applied to complete the purchase of equipment. During the first quarter, the Company issued 1,935,485 units, each comprising of one class A share and one class A share purchase warrant entitling the holder to acquire one additional common share for $0.45, for a consideration of $735,484, of which $250,000 was received during the course of the fourth quarter of 2011. The Company also invested $ 989,500 in cash for the acquisition of operations in North Carolina during the first quarter. The Company's current capital structure should enable it to meet its short term obligations. Management continuously monitors its capital structure and considers the increase in indebtedness or the issuance of shares as possible options to optimize its capital structure.

Management Outlook

At the end of the second quarter management felt confident of being able to achieve better results for the remainder of 2012. Despite the increase in the price of raw material which could not be fully recovered and the increase of both administrative and sales expenses in Imaflex USA to implement a business model focused on growth that was set aside temporarily in 2011, management still believed that gross profit margins would improve. Margins have improved, however the foreign exchange movements in the third quarter, a gain in 2011 and a loss in 2012, mask and distort the improved performance.

Although the majority of the $ 812 thousand unfavourable foreign exchange swing relates to intercompany advances and will therefore not have any real tangible impact on performance, it nevertheless creates an image of poorer performance, when in fact it is better. It is for this reason that management continues to report that the worst is over and that it is proceeding to plan.

The asset purchase in March, which forever changed the business model in the US, is taking root. For this reason management is confident that, soon, Imaflex USA will contribute, rather than subtract from, consolidated profit. Having achieved its objective in this entity, and certain of forthcoming positive results, management's attention is focused on the turnaround of the Canslit division in 2013. As reported in the outlook for the second quarter of 2012, the mechanics which will accomplish this goal are the building of the sales team, and the launching of the new patented product. Management is pleased to report that both objectives are going to plan.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements and information included in this release constitute "forward-looking statements".  Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements.  Additional discussion of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from management's projections, estimates and expectations is contained in the Company's other public filings.  Unless otherwise required by the securities authorities, we do not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf.

Non-IFRS Measure

The Company's management uses a non-IFRS measure in this press release, namely EBITDA.  Management wishes to specify that in the performance of the Company's financial results, EBITDA is shown as "Earnings before interest, taxes, non-controlling interest, depreciation and amortization".  While EBITDA is not a standard IFRS measure, management, analysts, investors and others use it as an indicator of the Company's financial and operating management and performance.  EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to net income determined in accordance with IFRS as an indicator of the Company's performance.  The Company's method of calculating EBITDA may be different from those used by other companies.

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. 

SOURCE: IMAFLEX INC.