Proto Labs Reports Record Revenue for the First Quarter 2017

Quarterly Revenue Increases 10.5% to a Record $80.2 million
Quarterly Net Income Increases 14.4% to $12.2 million

MAPLE PLAIN, Minn.--()--Proto Labs, Inc. (NYSE: PRLB), a leading online and technology-enabled, quick-turn, on-demand manufacturer, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017.

First Quarter 2017 Highlights include:

  • Revenue for the first quarter of 2017 was $80.2 million, 10.5 percent above revenue of $72.6 million in the first quarter of 2016.
  • The number of unique product developers and engineers served totaled 14,801 in the first quarter of 2017, an increase of 11.7 percent over the first quarter of 2016.
  • Net income for the first quarter of 2017 was $12.2 million, or $0.46 per diluted share. Non-GAAP net income, excluding the after-tax expense of stock compensation, amortization of intangibles and unrealized foreign currency losses, was $13.6 million, or $0.51 per diluted share. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.

“We are pleased with the strong start to our fiscal year with double digit revenue growth across all services,” said Vicki Holt, President and Chief Executive Officer. “These results along with solid execution delivered a 14.4 percent increase in quarterly net income.”

Additional First Quarter 2017 Highlights include:

  • Gross margin was 56.5 percent of revenue for the first quarter compared with 54.6 percent for the first quarter of 2016 and 55.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2016.
  • Operating margin was 22.1 percent of revenue during the first quarter of 2017 compared to 20.8 percent for the first quarter of 2016.
  • The Company generated $18.8 million in cash from operations during the first quarter of 2017 resulting in an increase in our cash and investment balances of $8.6 million to $201.3 million on March 31, 2017.

“Measured progress was made on our initiatives for 2017. We successfully launched insert molding and added PolyJet technology to our 3D printing service portfolio. From an operational standpoint, we continued to realize the benefits of our Proto Excellence continuous improvement program, allowing us to deliver the increased volume while improving our margins,” concluded Holt.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The company has included non-GAAP revenue growth that excludes the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and non-GAAP revenue growth that excludes the impact of unprofitable Alphaform 3D printing contracts, discontinued manufacturing processes, and discontinued businesses in this press release to provide investors with additional information regarding the company’s financial results. Management believes these metrics are useful in evaluating the underlying business trends and ongoing operating performance of the company.

The company has also included non-GAAP operating margin, adjusted for stock-based compensation expense and amortization expense (collectively, “non-GAAP operating margin”), in this press release to provide investors with additional information regarding the company’s financial results.

The company has also included non-GAAP net income, adjusted for stock-based compensation expense, amortization expense, and unrealized foreign currency activity (collectively, “non-GAAP net income”), in this press release to provide investors with additional information regarding the company’s financial results.

The company has provided below a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP revenue growth, GAAP to non-GAAP operating margin and GAAP to non-GAAP net income, the most directly comparable measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP revenue growth, non-GAAP operating margin and non-GAAP net income are used by the company’s management and board of directors to understand and evaluate operating performance and trends and provide useful measures for period-to-period comparisons of the company’s business. Accordingly, the company believes that non-GAAP revenue growth, non-GAAP operating margin and non-GAAP net income provide useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating operating results in the same manner as our management and board of directors.

Conference Call

The company has scheduled a conference call to discuss its first quarter and full year 2017 financial results today, April 27, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. ET. To access the call in the U.S. please dial 877-709-8150. Outside the U.S. please dial 201-689-8354. No participant code is required. A simultaneous webcast of the call will be available via the investor relations section of the Proto Labs website and the following link: http://edge.media-server.com/m/p/jjrzh6ns. A replay will be available for 14 days following the call on the investor relations section of Proto Labs’ website.

About Proto Labs, Inc.

Proto Labs is the world’s fastest digital manufacturing source for custom prototypes and low-volume production parts. The technology-enabled company uses advanced 3D printing, CNC machining and injection molding technologies to produce parts within days. The result is an unprecedented speed-to-market value for product designers and engineers worldwide. Visit protolabs.com for more information.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical or current facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the results of Proto Labs to be materially different than those expressed or implied in such statements. Certain of these risk factors and others are described in the “Risk Factors” section within reports filed with the SEC. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on Proto Labs’ future results. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. Proto Labs cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Finally, Proto Labs expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

         

Proto Labs, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

 
March 31, December 31,
2017 2016
(Unaudited)
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 71,888 $ 68,795
Short-term marketable securities 45,553 39,477
Accounts receivable, net 39,012 34,060
Inventory 8,943 9,310
Income taxes receivable - 445
Other current assets   6,412   5,697
Total current assets 171,808 157,784
 
Property and equipment, net 143,957 139,474
Long-term marketable securities 83,867 84,479
Goodwill 28,916 28,916
Other intangible assets, net 2,492 2,655
Other long-term assets   992   933
Total assets $ 432,032 $ 414,241
 
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable $ 11,747 $ 11,322
Accrued compensation 6,961 7,670
Accrued liabilities and other 4,742 4,435
Income taxes payable   4,622   -
Total current liabilities 28,072 23,427
 
Long-term deferred tax liabilities 7,399 7,003
Other long-term liabilities 4,098 3,978
 
Shareholders' equity   392,463   379,833
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 432,032 $ 414,241
               
         
Proto Labs, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,

2017

2016

Revenue
Injection Molding $ 47,916 $ 43,169
CNC Machining 21,972 18,875
3D Printing 10,085 9,110
Other   194   1,414
Total revenue 80,167 72,568
 
Cost of revenue   34,894   32,914
Gross profit 45,273 39,654
 
Operating expenses
Marketing and sales 12,987 10,942
Research and development 5,823 5,318
General and administrative   8,781   8,251
Total operating expenses   27,591   24,511
Income from operations 17,682 15,143
Other income, net   315   625
Income before income taxes 17,997 15,768
Provision for income taxes   5,797   5,106
Net income $ 12,200 $ 10,662
 
Net income per share:
Basic $ 0.46 $ 0.41
Diluted $ 0.46 $ 0.40
 
Shares used to compute net income per share:
Basic 26,466,731 26,222,148
Diluted 26,599,200 26,442,357
                   
         
Proto Labs, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2017 2016
Operating activities
Net income $ 12,200 $ 10,662
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 4,250 3,789
Stock-based compensation expense 1,716 1,732
Deferred taxes 394 89
Amortization of held-to-maturity securities 301 289
Other (56 ) -
Changes in operating assets and liabilities   (13 )   1,693  
Net cash provided by operating activities   18,792     18,254  
 
Investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment (7,812 ) (8,275 )
Purchases of marketable securities (16,520 ) (18,794 )
Proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable securities   10,755     10,465  
Net cash used in investing activities   (13,577 )   (16,604 )
 
Financing activities
Acquisition-related contingent consideration - (400 )
Proceeds from exercises of stock options and other 194 1,614
Repurchases of common stock   (2,662 )   -  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   (2,468 )   1,214  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   346     109  
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 3,093 2,973
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   68,795     47,653  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 71,888   $ 50,626  
                       
         
Proto Labs, Inc.
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Net Income per Share
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,

2017

2016

Non-GAAP net income, adjusted for stock-based compensation expense,
amortization expense and unrealized (gain) loss on foreign currency
GAAP net income $ 12,200 $ 10,662
Add back:
Stock-based compensation expense 1,716 1,732
Amortization expense 163 186
Unrealized (gain) loss on foreign currency   63     (324 )
Total adjustments 1   1,942     1,594  
Income tax benefits on adjustments 2   (574 )   (537 )
Non-GAAP net income $ 13,568   $ 11,719  
 
 
Non-GAAP net income per share:
Basic $ 0.51   $ 0.45  
Diluted $ 0.51   $ 0.44  
 
Shares used to compute non-GAAP net income per share:
Basic 26,466,731 26,222,148
Diluted 26,599,200 26,442,357
               
 
1 Stock-based compensation expense, amortization expense and unrealized (gain) loss on foreign currency were included in the following GAAP consolidated statement of operations categories:
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,

2017

2016

Cost of revenue $ 197 $ 130
Marketing and sales 269 278
Research and development 222 294
General and administrative 1,191 1,216
Other income (expense), net   63     (324 )
Total adjustments $ 1,942   $ 1,594  
 
2 For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, income tax effects were calculated reflecting an effective GAAP tax rate of 32.2% and 32.4%, respectively, and an effective non-GAAP tax rate of 31.9% and 32.5%, respectively. The difference between our GAAP and non-GAAP tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was primarily due to the tax effect of stock-based compensation expense, amortization expense and unrealized gain on foreign currency.
 
         
 
Proto Labs, Inc.
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Operating Margin
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,

2017

2016

Revenue $ 80,167 $ 72,568
Income from operations   17,682     15,143  
GAAP operating margin 22.1 % 20.8 %
Add back:
Stock-based compensation expense 1,716 1,732
Amortization expense   163     186  
Total adjustments   1,879     1,918  
Non-GAAP income from operations adjusted for stock-based
compensation expense and amortization expense $ 19,561   $ 17,061  
Non-GAAP operating margin 24.4 % 23.5 %
                       
                 
Proto Labs, Inc.
Comparison of GAAP to Non-GAAP Revenue Growth
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended % Change
March 31, % Constant

2017

2016

Change

Currencies1

Revenues
United States $ 60,176 $ 54,468 10.5 % 10.5 %
Europe 16,999 15,631 8.8 % 15.1 %
Japan   2,992   2,469 21.2 % 19.8 %
Total Revenue $ 80,167 $ 72,568 10.5 % 11.8 %
                           
1 Revenue growth for the three-month period ended March 31, 2017 has been recalculated using 2016 foreign currency exchange rates in effect during comparable periods to provide information useful in evaluating the underlying business trends excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
 
                           
Three Months Ended
March 31,

%

2017

2016

Change2

Revenues
Injection Molding $ 47,366 $ 42,393 11.7 %
CNC Machining 21,972 18,875 16.4 %
3D Printing 10,085 9,017 11.8 %
Other   194   475 -59.2 %
Total Revenue $ 79,617 $ 70,760 12.5 %
                           
2 Revenue growth for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 has been recalculated to exclude revenue earned from two discontinued manufacturing processes, Metal Injection Molding (MIM) and Magnesium Thixomolding (Thixo), unprofitable Alphaform 3D Printing contracts and discontinued non-core resin resale business included in "Other" above.
       
         
Proto Labs, Inc.
Revenue by Geography
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,

2017

2016

Revenue:
United States $ 60,176 $ 54,468
Europe 16,999 15,631
Japan 2,992 2,469
Total Revenue $ 80,167 $ 72,568
               
         
Proto Labs, Inc.
Product Developer Information
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2017 2016
Unique product developers and engineers served 14,801 13,249
               

Note: the information above includes unique product developers and engineers who purchased our 3D Printed products in the United States and Europe through our web-based customer interface. The information does not include 3D Printing and Injection Molding customers resulting from the Alphaform acquisition who do not utilize our web-based customer interface.

Contacts

Proto Labs, Inc.
Investor Relations:
Daniel Schumacher, 612-404-3855
daniel.schumacher@protolabs.com
or
Media Relations:
Bill Dietrick, 763-479-7664
bill.dietrick@protolabs.com

Contacts

Proto Labs, Inc.
Investor Relations:
Daniel Schumacher, 612-404-3855
daniel.schumacher@protolabs.com
or
Media Relations:
Bill Dietrick, 763-479-7664
bill.dietrick@protolabs.com