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Noveko and HerouxDevteck

posted on Aug 07, 2009 06:08AM

 

Noveko Chooses McKesson Logistics Solutions as provider of Logistics Management Services for its masks and AZURO(TM) hand sanitizers

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Symbol: EKO / TSX

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MONTREAL, Aug. 6 /CNW Telbec/ - Noveko International Inc. ("the Company")

is pleased to announce that its subsidiary Noveko Inc. ("Noveko") has

concluded an agreement with McKesson Logistics Solutions ("MLS"), Canada's

leading third party logistics provider for the healthcare industry, for its

Noveko(TM) surgical masks and respirators and its AZURO(TM) hand sanitizers.

Under the terms of this agreement, MLS will provide to Noveko full

order-to-cash logistics management services, including order fulfillment,

customer invoicing, accounts receivables management, customer care, storage,

inventory and transportation management. The agreement has an initial term of

three years.

"The choice of McKesson Logistics Solutions as a partner is a strategic

decision from which we will get many benefits operationally and

administratively. Accessing the technology and infrastructure they are

offering as a leading supply chain integrator, we are gaining the required

flexibility to run our business more efficiently, enabling us to focus on our

priorities, being the development and commercialization of our products, all

of this in a cost effective way for us. This is especially crucial in light of

the growing demand we are witnessing for our Noveko(TM) surgical masks and

respirators and our AZURO(TM) hand sanitizers," indicated Alain Bolduc,

President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company. "McKesson Logistics

Solutions' world class expertise, leadership and proven track record were

amongst the factors which contributed to their selection as our ideal provider

of logistics and warehousing solutions," added Mr. Bolduc.

"We are very enthusiastic to be part of Noveko's efforts to accelerate

the global distribution of their innovative antimicrobial products. We look

forward to working with them in delivering world-class logistics services to

their customers, helping them being successful," stated Cameron Joyce,

President of McKesson Logistics Solutions.

McKesson Logistics Solutions is Canada's leading third party logistics

(3PL) provider offering integrated supply chain services from order management

and transportation to customer invoicing and A/R management focused

exclusively on the healthcare manufacturing industry. Additional services

include specialized 3PL services such as cold chain logistics, co-packing and

literature management. Clients include manufacturers of pharmaceutical

products, medical devices, medical surgical products and equipment, OTC,

natural health and consumer health products.

Profile

Noveko International Inc. offers innovative solutions in the

environmental and medical fields worldwide. Through its subsidiaries, the

Company specializes primarily in the following business segments: the

development, manufacturing and marketing of derivative products from its

patented antimicrobial filtration technology, including air filters, surgical

masks and respirators, along with other products with antimicrobial properties

such as AZURO(TM) hand sanitizers - and the development, manufacturing and

marketing of medical equipment, primarily portable real-time ultrasound

scanners for use in human and veterinary medicine.

Certain statements set forth in this press release constitute

forward-looking statements. In some cases, these statements are identified by

the use of terms such as "may", "could", "might", "intend", "should",

"expect", "project", "plan", "believe", "estimate" or other comparable

variants. These statements are based on the information available at the time

they are written, on assumptions made by management and on the expectations of

management, acting in good faith, regarding future events, including those

relating to economic conditions, fluctuations in exchange rates and operating

expenses, and the absence of unusual events entailing supplementary

expenditures. Although management considers these assumptions and expectations

reasonable based on the information available at the time they are written,

they could prove inaccurate. Forward-looking statements are also subject, by

their very nature, to known and unknown risks and uncertainties such as those

related to the industry, acquisitions, labor relations, credit, key officers,

supply and product liability. The actual results of Noveko International Inc.

could differ materially from those indicated or underlying these

forward-looking statements. The reader is therefore recommended not to unduly

rely on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements do not

reflect the potential impact of special items, any business combination or any

other transaction that may be announced or occur subsequent to the date

hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the

forward-looking statements to account for new events or new circumstances,

except where provided for by applicable legislation.

 

 

 

 

-30-

/For further information: Chantal Vennat, Director, Investor Relations

and Corporate Communications, Noveko International Inc., (514) 875-0606;

http://www.noveko.com/

 

 

Héroux-Devtek reports first quarter results

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Annual meeting of shareholders later this morning

- Sales of $82.2 million compared to $82.6 million last year

- Operating income of $7.5 million, versus $9.8 million last year

- Net income of $4.5 million, or $0.15 per share fully diluted

- Funded backlog of $468 million

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LONGUEUIL, QC, Aug. 6 /CNW Telbec/ - Héroux-Devtek Inc. (TSX: HRX), a

leading Canadian manufacturer of aerospace and industrial products, today

reported results for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 ended June 30, 2009.

Unless otherwise indicated, all amounts are in Canadian dollars.

Consolidated sales for the quarter were $82.2 million, versus $82.6

million for the same period last year. Operating income stood at $7.5 million,

or 9.1% of sales, compared with $9.8 million, or 11.9% of sales, a year ago.

The Company reported net income of $4.5 million, or $0.15 per share, fully

diluted, compared with net income of $5.7 million, or $0.18 per share, fully

diluted, a year ago. Cash flow from operations amounted to $11.8 million this

year, up 0.9% from $11.7 million last year. While the fluctuations in the

value of the Canadian dollar versus the US currency increased sales in the

first quarter by $7.3 million or 8.8%, compared with last year, it had

basically no impact on gross profit in dollars but a negative impact of 1.3%

on the gross profit margin, expressed as a percentage of sales. The impact of

currency movements on the Company's gross profit is mitigated by the use of

forward foreign exchange sales contracts and the natural hedging from the

purchase of materials made in US dollars.

"As anticipated, results reflect lower shipments in the commercial

aerospace and industrial markets offset by the solid performance of our

military aerospace operations," said Héroux-Devtek President and CEO Gilles

Labbé. "Lower profitability mirrors decelerated production schedules as well

as a favourable aftermarket sales mix in the first quarter a year ago. We are

proactively implementing cost reductions measures to reflect a more difficult

environment. However, time schedules have been reduced at some facilities

while our three main business units in Longueuil, Kitchener and Texas have not

been significantly affected."

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-------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Financial Highlights

(in thousands of dollars, except per share data)

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First quarters ended

June 30

2009 2008

----------------------

Sales 82,160 82,571

Operating income 7,471 9,803

Net income 4,542 5,698

Per share - basic and diluted ($) 0.15 0.18

Cash flow from operations 11,830 11,719

Weighted-average shares outstanding ('000s) 30,946 31,645

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As at June 30, 2009, Héroux-Devtek's balance sheet remained healthy with

cash and cash equivalents of $15.2 million and long-term debt, including the

current portion, of $87.0 million. As a result, the net debt-to-equity ratio

stood at 0.35:1 at the end of the first quarter, compared with 0.24:1 three

months earlier. The increase stems from working capital requirements that

reduced cash and cash equivalents during the quarter. The net-debt-to-equity

ratio is defined as the total long-term debt, including the current portion,

less cash and cash equivalents over shareholders' equity.

During the first quarter, the Company repurchased 407,000 common shares

at an average cost of $4.51 per share under its normal course issuer bid

program. This program allows Héroux-Devtek to repurchase a maximum of 1.5

million shares until November 23, 2009. As at June 30, 2009, the Company had

repurchased a total of 941,000 shares.

FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

The Aerostructure Division was awarded a multi-year contract by Lockheed

Martin Aeronautics Company to fabricate, assemble and deliver complex

structural components and assemblies for the outer wing, inner wing, and

forward fuselage for all three F-35 Lightning II aircraft (JSF) variants in

support of Low Rate Initial Production lots 3 through 7 over the next five

years. This contract begins in the second half of calendar year 2009 and

continues through the first half of 2014, at which time the JSF program enters

its first multi-year procurement phase. Based on best estimated quantity

production rates, the value of the contract is estimated to be in excess of

$50 million. This agreement is in addition to a $135-million, multi-year

contract awarded in 2007 for forged aluminum bulkheads and other complex

components and confirms Héroux-Devtek's status as the largest JSF

aerostructure supplier for Lockheed Martin.

Noranco Inc. awarded the Aerostructure Division a multi-year contract

related to electronic chassis components for the JSF aircraft. The Magtron

business unit will perform operations, including brazing, heat treatment, and

testing of complex avionic housings for all three JSF variants over the next

eight years, beginning in calendar 2010. Based on best estimated quantity

production rates, the value of the contract is estimated to be in excess of

$10 million. This contract expands Héroux-Devtek's reach on the JSF program

across all three sites of the Aerostructure Division.

SECTOR RESULTS

Aerospace sales for the first quarter rose 1.6% to $75.2 million compared

with $74.0 million last year. Sales of the Landing Gear Division increased by

4.2% to $48.1 million reflecting higher military sales and favourable currency

fluctuations, partially offset by the deceleration of production schedules for

business jet, helicopter and, to a lesser extent, large commercial aircraft

programs. Aerostructure sales declined 2.7% to $26.7 million, as greater sales

from the ramp-up of the JSF program and favourable currency movements were

more than offset by reduced aftermarket sales as well as by reduced business

jet and regional jet activity.

Operating income was $6.7 million, or 8.9% of sales, compared with $8.4

million, or 11.4% of sales, in the first quarter of last year, essentially

reflecting a less favourable sales mix at the Aerostructure Division and the

negative impact of reduced production schedules in the commercial aerospace

market.

Industrial sales totalled $7.0 million for the first quarter of fiscal

2010, representing a decrease of 18.7% over sales of $8.6 million in the first

quarter of fiscal 2009. As a result of a weaker economy, the power generation

industry, including wind energy, and the heavy equipment industry are

experiencing softer market conditions.

Reflecting a lower sales volume, operating income stood at $0.8 million,

or 11.4% of sales, for the first quarter of this year compared with $1.4

million, or 16.3% of sales, last year. Operating income as a percentage of

sales still remains healthy by historical standards.

OUTLOOK

The commercial aerospace market remains affected by persistent economic

uncertainty. Given reduced levels of new orders, as well as cancellations or

deferrals, production schedules are being reduced in the business jet,

helicopter and, to a lesser extent, large commercial aircraft segment. The

military aerospace market remains solid with major programs progressing as

expected, particularly the JSF program. Still, the new US administration may

reduce funding of subsequent military budgets. The power generation industry

is impacted over the short-term by the financial crisis given the significant

capital requirements of these projects, although wind energy still holds

considerable potential over the mid-term.

"Decelerations of production schedules as well as order cancellations and

push-outs in the commercial aerospace market have reduced Héroux-Devtek's

funded backlog to $468 million as at June 30, 2009, down from $485 million

three months earlier. Despite strong customer relationships and a backlog that

nevertheless remains solid, we are not anticipating any significant sales

growth for fiscal 2010 considering the prevailing economic environment. It is

also important to remember that our second quarter has traditionally been a

somewhat slower period owing to seasonal factors, such as plant shutdowns and

summer vacations. In light of the Canadian dollar's recent volatility, we will

seek further productivity gains and continue to streamline our cost base to

remain globally competitive," concluded Mr. Labbé.

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

The Company is holding its Annual Meeting of Shareholders this morning at

11:00 a.m. in the Salon Pierre de Coubertin of the Omni Mont-Royal Hotel, 1050

Sherbrooke Street West, Montréal, Québec.

CONFERENCE CALL

Héroux-Devtek Inc. will hold a conference call to discuss these results

on Thursday, August 6 at 3:00 P.M. Eastern Time. Interested parties can join

the call by dialling (416) 915-5649 (Toronto or overseas) or 1-800-814-3911

(elsewhere in North America). The conference call can also be accessed via

live webcast at Héroux-Devtek's website,

www.herouxdevtek.com, www.newswire.ca

or

www.q1234.com

.

If you are unable to call in at this time, you may access a tape

recording of the meeting by calling 1-877-289-8525 and entering the passcode

21311652# on your phone. This tape recording will be available on Thursday,

August 6, 2009 as of 5:00 PM Eastern Time until 11:59 PM Eastern Time on

Thursday, August 13, 2009.

PROFILE

Héroux-Devtek (TSX: HRX), a Canadian company, serves two main market

segments: Aerospace and Industrial Products, specializing in the design,

development, manufacture and repair and overhaul of related systems and

components. Héroux-Devtek supplies both the commercial and military sectors of

the Aerospace segment with landing gear (including spare parts, repair and

overhaul services) and airframe structural components. The Company also

supplies the Industrial segment with large components for power generation

equipment and precision components for other industrial applications.

Approximately 65% of the Company's sales are outside Canada, mainly in the

United States. The Company's head office is located in Longueuil, Québec with

facilities in the Greater Montreal area (Longueuil, Dorval, Laval and

Rivière-des-Prairies); Kitchener and Toronto, Ontario; Arlington, Texas and

Cincinnati, Ohio.

Héroux-Devtek was recognized, in the July/August edition of The Globe &

Mail's Report on Business magazine, as the fourth fastest growing company in

Canada measured in terms of net earnings growth between 2003 and 2008.

Forward-looking statements

Except for historical information provided herein, this press release may

contain information and statements of a forward-looking nature concerning the

future performance of the Company. These statements are based on suppositions

and uncertainties as well as on management's best possible evaluation of

future events. Such factors may include, without excluding other

considerations, fluctuations in quarterly results, evolution in customer

demand for the Company's products and services, the impact of price pressures

exerted by competitors, and general market trends or economic changes. As a

result, readers are advised that actual results may differ from expected

results.

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Note to readers: Complete unaudited interim consolidated financial

statements and Management's Discussion & Analysis are

available on Héroux-Devtek's website at

www.herouxdevtek.com

.

>>

 

 

 

HEROUX-DEVTEK INC.

 

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