8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): 10/30/2014

H&E Equipment Services, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Commission File Number: 000-51759

Delaware	81-0553291
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

7500 Pecue Lane

Baton Rouge, LA 70809

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(225) 298-5200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On October 30, 2014, we issued a press release announcing our financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2014. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

The information in this Form 8-K and the attached exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 8.01 Other Events

We define EBITDA as net income (loss) before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. We use EBITDA in our business operations to, among other things, evaluate the performance of our business, develop budgets and measure our performance against those budgets. We also believe that analysts and investors use EBITDA as a supplemental measure to evaluate a company’s overall operating performance. However, EBITDA has material limitations as an analytical tool and you should not consider EBITDA isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). We consider EBITDA a useful tool to assist us in evaluating performance because it eliminates items related to capital structure, taxes and non-cash charges. The items that we have eliminated in determining EBITDA for the periods presented are interest expense, income taxes, depreciation of fixed assets (which includes rental equipment and property and equipment), and amortization of intangible assets. However, some of these eliminated items are significant to our business. For example, (i) interest expense is a necessary element of our costs and ability to generate revenue because we incur a significant amount of interest expense related to our outstanding indebtedness; (ii) payment of income taxes is a necessary element of our costs; and (iii) depreciation is a necessary element of our costs and ability to generate revenue because rental equipment is the single largest component of our total assets and we recognize a significant amount of depreciation expense over the estimated useful life of this equipment. Any measure that eliminates components of our capital structure and costs associated with carrying significant amounts of fixed assets on our consolidated balance sheet has material limitations as a performance measure. In light of the foregoing limitations, we do not rely solely on EBITDA as a performance measure and also consider our GAAP results. EBITDA is not a measurement of our financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered an alternative to net income (loss), operating income (loss) or any other measures derived in accordance with GAAP. Because EBITDA is not calculated in the same manner by all companies, it may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

99.1 Press Release, dated October 30, 2014, announcing financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2014.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date: October 30, 2014	By:	/s/ Leslie S. Magee
		Leslie S. Magee
		Chief Financial Officer

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

News Release

Contacts:

Leslie S. Magee

Chief Financial Officer

225-298-5261

lmagee@he-equipment.com

Kevin S. Inda

Corporate Communications, Inc. (CCI)

941-792-1680

kevin.inda@cci-ir.com

H&E Equipment Services Reports Third Quarter 2014 Results

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana — (October 30, 2014) — H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: HEES) today announced results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2014.

THIRD QUARTER 2014 HIGHLIGHTS:

• Revenues increased 1.7% to $275.0 million versus $270.4 million a year ago.

• Net income increased 9.7%, or $1.3 million, to $15.3 million in the third quarter compared to $14.0 million a year ago, despite a much higher quarterly effective income tax rate. The effective income tax rate in the third quarter of 2014 increased to 43.6% compared to 33.5% a year ago due to a lower benefit from permanent items in the current period. Income before provision for taxes in the third quarter increased 29.3% to $27.1 million compared to $21.0 million a year ago.

• EBITDA increased 18.8% to $83.1 million from $70.0 million, yielding a margin of 30.2% of revenues compared to 25.9% a year ago.

• Rental revenues increased 21.0%, or $18.8 million, to $108.2 million due to a larger fleet, higher physical utilization and improved rates compared to a year ago.

• Combined parts and service revenues increased 10.7% in the third quarter to $44.6 million this quarter compared to $40.3 million a year ago.

• Gross margin this quarter was 33.1% as compared to 29.7% a year ago with improved gross margin results in all business segments. Rental gross margin increased to 50.5% compared to 49.6% a year ago and combined parts and service gross margins increased to 41.6% compared to 40.3% a year ago.

• Average time utilization (based on original equipment cost) was 74.1% compared to 72.3% a year ago and 72.7% in the second quarter of 2014. Average time utilization (based on units available for rent) was 68.3% compared to 66.6% last year and 67.0% last quarter.

• Average rental rates increased 2.9% compared to a year ago and improved 1.3% compared to the second quarter of this year.

• Dollar utilization was 36.9% as compared to 36.7% a year ago.

• Average rental fleet age at September 30, 2014, was 31.8 months, down from 32.3 months at the end of the last quarter and younger than the industry average age of 42.9 months.

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H&E Equipment Services Reports Third Quarter 2014 Results

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October 30, 2014

John Engquist, H&E Equipment Services’ chief executive officer, said, “The solid strength and momentum in our business continued in the third quarter and we believe further substantiates the recovery in the non-residential construction market. In the third quarter, we achieved a healthy 21.0% increase in rental revenues, maintained above industry average utilization, and similar to last quarter, our combined parts and service business experienced double-digit growth. Although our new equipment sales were down year over year, we believe that this is primarily due to a challenging comparable quarter last year and demand for new equipment remains strong. We are pleased with the solid leverage in our business as EBITDA increased 18.8% on single-digit revenue growth, validating our strategy and evidencing our ability to capitalize on improving trends and opportunities in our end user markets.”

Engquist concluded, “Our outlook for the remainder of this year and into 2015 remains positive as we believe our company will continue to benefit from the anticipated growth in the commercial construction markets in the United States. The significant capital projects forecasted for our Gulf Coast region related to major chemical, energy and manufacturing are reported to be on track. We anticipate further fleet investment during the fourth quarter based on the current demand in our markets as well as in anticipation of these projects. Our company remains focused on executing our strategy and profitable growth.”

FINANCIAL DISCUSSION FOR THIRD QUARTER 2014:

Revenue

Total revenues increased 1.7% to $275.0 million from $270.4 million in the third quarter of 2013. Equipment rental revenues increased 21.0% to $108.2 million compared with $89.4 million in the third quarter of 2013. New equipment sales decreased 10.5% to $80.8 million from $90.2 million in the third quarter of 2013. Used equipment sales decreased 31.5% to $25.2 million compared to $36.8 million in the third quarter of 2013. Parts sales increased 9.2% to $29.0 million from $26.6 million in the third quarter of 2013. Service revenues increased 13.8% to $15.6 million compared to $13.7 million a year ago.

Gross Profit

Gross profit increased 13.4% to $91.1 million from $80.3 million in the third quarter of 2013. Gross margin was 33.1% for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, compared to gross margin of 29.7% for the quarter ended September 30, 2013. On a segment basis, gross margin expanded in each business segment compared to a year ago.

Third quarter 2014 gross margin on equipment rentals was 50.5% compared to 49.6% in the third quarter of 2013 due to higher fleet utilization, improved average rental rates on new contracts in the period and lower rental expenses as a percentage of equipment rental revenues. On average, rental rates increased 2.9% as compared to the third quarter of 2013. Time utilization (based on original equipment cost) was 74.1% in the third quarter of 2014 and 72.3% a year ago.

Gross margin on new equipment sales was 11.3% compared to 10.6% in the third quarter a year ago. Gross margin on used equipment sales was 31.1% compared to 26.3% a year ago. Gross margin on parts sales was 28.6% in this quarter and 28.0% a year ago. Gross margin on service revenues was 65.7% compared to 64.0% in the prior year.

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H&E Equipment Services Reports Third Quarter 2014 Results

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Rental Fleet

At the end of the third quarter of 2014, the original acquisition cost of the Company’s rental fleet was $1.2 billion, an increase of $218.1 million from $978.9 million at the end of the third quarter of 2013 and an increase of $196.2 million from $1.0 billion at the end of 2013. Dollar utilization was 36.9% and 36.7% in the third quarters of 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

SG&A expenses for the third quarter of 2014 were $51.6 million compared with $47.0 million last year, a $4.6 million, or 9.8%, increase. For the third quarter of 2014, SG&A expenses as a percentage of total revenues were 18.8% compared to 17.4% a year ago, largely as a result of the impact from the decline in new and used equipment sales in the third quarter of 2014.

Income from Operations

Income from operations for the third quarter of 2014 increased 17.9% to $40.0 million, or 14.5% of revenues, compared with $33.9 million, or 12.6% of revenues, a year ago.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $13.2 million in each of the third quarters of 2014 and 2013.

Net Income

Net income for the third quarter of 2014 was $15.3 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, compared to net income of $14.0 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, a year ago on a higher effective income tax rate in the current period. In the third quarter of 2014, the effective income tax rate was 43.6% compared to 33.5% a year ago due to a lower benefit from permanent items combined with discrete items in the current quarter.

EBITDA

EBITDA for the third quarter of 2014 increased 18.8% to $83.1 million compared to $70.0 million a year ago. EBITDA, as a percentage of revenues, was 30.2% compared to 25.9% a year ago.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains a certain Non-GAAP measure (EBITDA). Please refer to our Current Report on Form 8-K for a description of this measure and a discussion of our use of this measure. EBITDA as calculated by the Company is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Additionally, this Non-GAAP measure is not a measurement of financial performance or liquidity under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to the Company’s other financial information determined under GAAP.

Conference Call

The Company’s management will hold a conference call to discuss third quarter results today, October 30, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). To listen to the call, participants should dial 913-312-1437 approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. A telephonic replay will be available after 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on October 30, 2014, and will continue through November 8, 2014, by dialing 719-457-0820 and entering confirmation code 2268117.

The live broadcast of the Company’s quarterly conference call will be available online at www.he-equipment.com on October 30, 2014, beginning at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) and will continue to be available for 30 days. Related presentation materials will be posted to the “Investor Relations” section of the Company’s web site at www.he-equipment.com prior to the call. The presentation materials will be in Adobe Acrobat format.

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H&E Equipment Services Reports Third Quarter 2014 Results

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About H&E Equipment Services, Inc.

The Company is one of the largest integrated equipment services companies in the United States with 69 full-service facilities throughout the West Coast, Intermountain, Southwest, Gulf Coast, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions. The Company is focused on heavy construction and industrial equipment and rents, sells and provides parts and service support for four core categories of specialized equipment: (1) hi-lift or aerial platform equipment; (2) cranes; (3) earthmoving equipment; and (4) industrial lift trucks. By providing equipment rental, sales, and on-site parts, repair and maintenance functions under one roof, the Company is a one-stop provider for its customers’ varied equipment needs. This full service approach provides the Company with multiple points of customer contact, enabling it to maintain a high quality rental fleet, as well as an effective distribution channel for fleet disposal and provides cross-selling opportunities among its new and used equipment sales, rental, parts sales and service operations.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs and expectations are forward-looking statements. Statements containing the words “may”, “could”, “would”, “should”, “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “estimate”, “target”, “project”, “intend” and similar expressions constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) general economic conditions and construction and industrial activity in the markets where we operate in North America; (2) the pace of economic recovery in areas affecting our business (although we have experienced an upturn in our business activities from the most recent economic downturn and related decreases in construction and industrial activities, there is no certainty that this trend will continue; if the pace of the recovery slows or construction and industrial activities decline, our revenues and operating results may be severely affected); (3) the impact of conditions of the global credit markets and their effect on construction spending activity and the economy in general; (4) relationships with equipment suppliers; (5) increased maintenance and repair costs as we age our fleet and decreases in our equipment’s residual value; (6) our indebtedness; (7) the risks associated with the expansion of our business; (8) our possible inability to effectively integrate any businesses we acquire; (9) competitive pressures; (10) compliance with laws and regulations, including those relating to environmental matters and corporate governance matters; and (11) other factors discussed in our public filings, including the risk factors included in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Investors, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States and the rules and regulations of the SEC, we are under no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date of this release.

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H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Revenues:
Equipment rentals	$	108,238		$	89,420		$	293,276		$	248,518
New equipment sales		80,758			90,220			240,886			216,979
Used equipment sales		25,198			36,779			85,940			103,589
Parts sales		29,009			26,571			83,182			77,971
Service revenues		15,622			13,729			45,372			42,050
Other		16,219			13,730			43,995			39,070
Total revenues		275,044			270,449			792,651			728,177
Cost of revenues:
Rental depreciation		37,654			31,527			106,101			89,679
Rental expense		15,881			13,550			45,686			41,401
New equipment sales		71,630			80,659			212,777			193,453
Used equipment sales		17,350			27,086			58,824			74,006
Parts sales		20,705			19,123			59,028			56,660
Service revenues		5,356			4,943			15,864			15,743
Other		15,402			13,261			41,453			37,043
Total cost of revenues		183,978			190,149			539,733			507,985
Gross profit		91,066			80,300			252,918			220,192
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		51,585			46,977			152,324			140,347
Gain on sales of property and equipment, net		512			609			1,932			1,715
Income from operations		39,993			33,932			102,526			81,560
Interest expense		(13,171	)		(13,193	)		(38,743	)		(38,550	)
Other income, net		293			237			943			945
Income before provision for income taxes		27,115			20,976			64,726			43,955
Provision for income taxes		11,815			7,023			26,264			14,416
Net income	$	15,300		$	13,953		$	38,462		$	29,539
NET INCOME PER SHARE
Basic – Net income per share	$	0.43		$	0.40		$	1.09		$	0.84
Basic – Weighted average number of common shares outstanding		35,206			35,099			35,142			35,022
Diluted – Net income per share	$	0.43		$	0.40		$	1.09		$	0.84
Diluted – Weighted average number of common shares outstanding		35,266			35,169			35,240			35,130

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H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC.

SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA (unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands)

	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
Cash	$	5,287	$	17,607
Rental equipment, net		852,818		688,710
Total assets		1,318,788		1,090,340
Total debt (1)		852,630		734,738
Total liabilities		1,193,116		995,528
Stockholders’ equity		125,672		94,812
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,318,788	$	1,090,340

⁽¹⁾  Total debt consists of the amounts outstanding on the senior secured credit facility, capital lease obligations and the aggregate amounts outstanding on the senior unsecured notes.

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC.

UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

(Amounts in thousands)

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Net income	$	15,300	$	13,953	$	38,462	$	29,539
Interest expense		13,171		13,193		38,743		38,550
Provision for income taxes		11,815		7,023		26,264		14,416
Depreciation		42,849		35,805		121,014		102,034
EBITDA	$	83,135	$	69,974	$	224,483	$	184,539

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