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): April 27, 2017

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))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company    ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.    ☐

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On April 27, 2017, we issued a press release announcing our financial results for the three month period ended March 31, 2017. 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 April 27, 2017, announcing financial results for the three month period ended March 31, 2017.

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: April 27, 2017	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

Vice President of Investor Relations

225-298-5318

kinda@he-equipment.com

H&E Equipment Services Reports First Quarter 2017 Results

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana — (April 27, 2017) — H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: HEES) today announced results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017.

FIRST QUARTER 2017 SUMMARY

• Revenues decreased 8.2% to $226.8 million versus $247.0 million a year ago.

• Net income was $5.4 million in the first quarter compared to net income of $5.6 million a year ago.

• EBITDA was $68.8 million in the first quarter compared to EBITDA of $69.1 million a year ago, yielding a higher margin of 30.3% of revenues compared to 28.0% a year ago.

• Rental revenues increased 4.4% to $107.3 million in the first quarter compared to $102.8 million a year ago.

• New equipment sales decreased 40.1% to $34.3 million in the first quarter compared to $57.2 million a year ago.

• Used equipment sales increased 4.7% to $28.9 million in the first quarter compared to $27.6 million a year ago.

• Gross margin was 34.2% compared to 32.9% a year ago.

• Rental gross margins were 44.8% in the first quarter of 2017 compared to 45.3% a year ago.

• Average time utilization (based on original equipment cost) was 68.5% compared to 66.3% a year ago. Average time utilization (based on units available for rent) was 66.0% compared to 64.6% last year.

• Average rental rates decreased 0.5% compared to a year ago.

• Dollar utilization was 32.4% in the first quarter compared to 32.2% a year ago.

• Average rental fleet age at March 31, 2017, was 34.1 months compared to an industry average age of 41.9 months.

- MORE -

H&E Equipment Services Reports First Quarter 2017 Results

Page 2

April 27, 2017

John Engquist, H&E Equipment Services’ chief executive officer, said, “The first quarter results along with the current trends in our business have reinforced our expectations for 2017. Our rental business performed well in the first quarter, with revenues increasing 4.4% from a year ago, margins holding solid at 44.8% and rates down only 0.5% year-over-year. As we anticipated, the ongoing challenges in the new equipment component of our distribution business persisted, due primarily to weak crane demand. We also expect our used equipment sales to trend down during the balance of this year as we intentionally sell less of our rental fleet as a result of higher anticipated rental demand in our non-residential construction markets.”

Engquist concluded, “We believe the opportunities that exist for our business in 2017 are encouraging as demand for rental equipment is increasing throughout the regions we serve. The environment in our Gulf Coast region remains positive as a result of several factors. Texas, our largest market, continues to experience a very healthy economy that is driving an array of non-residential projects. The energy markets are also improving as a result of increased shale drilling activity. In both Texas and Louisiana, a solid lineup of large industrial projects are either underway, at breaking ground stage, or scheduled for construction over the next few years.”

FINANCIAL DISCUSSION FOR FIRST QUARTER 2017:

Revenue

Total revenues decreased 8.2% to $226.8 million in the first quarter of 2017 from $247.0 million in the first quarter of 2016. Equipment rental revenues increased 4.4% to $107.3 million compared with $102.8 million in the first quarter of 2016. New equipment sales decreased 40.1% to $34.3 million from $57.2 million a year ago. Used equipment sales increased 4.7% to $28.9 million compared to $27.6 million a year ago. Parts sales decreased 9.4% to $25.3 million from $28.0 million in the first quarter of 2016. Service revenues decreased 7.5% to $15.1 million compared with $16.3 million a year ago.

Gross Profit

Gross profit decreased 4.3% to $77.7 million from $81.1 million in the first quarter of 2016. Gross margin was 34.2% for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, as compared to 32.9% for the quarter ended March 31, 2016. On a segment basis, gross margin on rentals was 44.8% in the first quarter of 2017 compared to 45.3% in the first quarter of 2016. On average, rental rates were 0.5% lower than rates in the first quarter of 2016. Time utilization (based on original equipment cost) was 68.5% in the first quarter of 2017 compared to 66.3% a year ago. Time utilization (based on units available for rent) was 66.0% in the first quarter of 2017 compared to 64.6% a year ago.

Gross margins on new equipment sales decreased to 11.4% in the first quarter compared to 11.7% a year ago. Gross margins on used equipment sales decreased to 31.2% compared to 32.9% a year ago. Gross margins on parts sales increased to 28.1% in the first quarter of 2017 compared to 27.6% in the first quarter of 2016. Gross margins on service revenues decreased to 66.9% for the first quarter of 2017 compared to 67.5% in the first quarter of 2016.

Rental Fleet

At the end of the first quarter of 2017, the original acquisition cost of the Company’s rental fleet was $1.3 billion, an increase of $58.0 million from the end of the first quarter of 2016. Dollar utilization was 32.4% compared to 32.2% for the first quarter of 2016.

- MORE -

H&E Equipment Services Reports First Quarter 2017 Results

Page 3

April 27, 2017

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

SG&A expenses for the first quarter of 2017 were $57.3 million compared with $59.4 million the prior year, a $2.1 million, or 3.5%, decrease. SG&A expenses in the first quarter of 2017 increased as a percentage of total revenues to 25.3% compared to 24.0% the prior year. Expenses related to new branch expansions increased $0.5 million compared to a year ago.

Income from Operations

Income from operations for the first quarter of 2017 was $21.3 million, or 9.4% of revenues, compared to $22.4 million, or 9.1% of revenues, a year ago.

Interest Expense

Interest expense for the first quarter of 2017 was $13.2 million compared to $13.4 million a year ago.

Net Income

Net income was $5.4 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2017 compared to net income of $5.6 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2016. The effective income tax rate decreased to 36.8% in the first quarter compared to 41.0% a year ago due to an increase in favorable permanent items and lower state income taxes.

EBITDA

EBITDA for the first quarter of 2017 was $68.8 million compared to $69.1 million in the first quarter of 2016. EBITDA as a percentage of revenues was 30.3% compared with 28.0% in the first quarter of 2016.

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 of our use of this measure. This measure 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 first quarter results today, April 27, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). To listen to the call, participants should dial 719-325-2291 approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. A telephonic replay will become available after 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on April 27, 2017, and will continue through May 6, 2017, by dialing 719-457-0820 and entering the confirmation code 4897432.

The live broadcast of the Company’s quarterly conference call will be available online at www.he-equipment.com on April 27, 2017, 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.

- MORE -

H&E Equipment Services Reports First Quarter 2017 Results

Page 4

April 27, 2017

About H&E Equipment Services, Inc.

The Company is one of the largest integrated equipment services companies in the United States with 78 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 services 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, 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 services 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”, “foresee” 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) our ability to forecast trends in our business accurately, and the impact of economic downturns and economic uncertainty in the markets we serve; (3) the impact of conditions in the global credit and commodity markets and their effect on construction spending 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) risks associated with the expansion of our business; (8) our possible inability to integrate any businesses we acquire; (9) competitive pressures; (10) security breaches and other disruptions in our information technology systems; (11) adverse weather events or natural disasters; (12) compliance with laws and regulations, including those relating to environmental matters and corporate governance matters; and (13) other factors discussed in our public filings, including the risk factors included in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. 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.

- MORE -

H&E Equipment Services Reports First Quarter 2017 Results

Page 5

April 27, 2017

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017			2016
Revenues:
Equipment rentals	$	107,317		$	102,838
New equipment sales		34,274			57,179
Used equipment sales		28,863			27,574
Parts sales		25,331			27,969
Service revenues		15,080			16,301
Other		15,963			15,149
Total revenues		226,828			247,010
Cost of revenues:
Rental depreciation		40,903			39,497
Rental expense		18,374			16,763
New equipment sales		30,381			50,474
Used equipment sales		19,861			18,512
Parts sales		18,213			20,263
Service revenues		4,999			5,301
Other		16,425			15,056
Total cost of revenues		149,156			165,866
Gross profit		77,672			81,144
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		57,318			59,374
Gain on sales of property and equipment, net		971			662
Income from operations		21,325			22,432
Interest expense		(13,232	)		(13,407	)
Other income, net		437			430
Income before provision for income taxes		8,530			9,455
Provision for income taxes		3,140			3,881
Net income	$	5,390		$	5,574
NET INCOME PER SHARE
Basic – Net income per share	$	0.15		$	0.16
Basic – Weighted average number of common shares outstanding		35,465			35,341
Diluted – Net income per share	$	0.15		$	0.16
Diluted – Weighted average number of common shares outstanding		35,621			35,398
Dividends declared per common share	$	0.275		$	0.275

- MORE -

H&E Equipment Services Reports First Quarter 2017 Results

Page 6

April 27, 2017

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC.

SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA (unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands)

	March 31,		December 31,
	2017		2016
Cash	$	5,040	$	7,683
Rental equipment, net		877,477		893,816
Total assets		1,262,686		1,241,611
Total debt (1)		784,011		794,346
Total liabilities		1,122,263		1,098,846
Stockholders’ equity		140,423		142,765
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,262,686	$	1,241,611

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

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC.

UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

(Amounts in thousands)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017		2016
Net income	$	5,390	$	5,574
Interest expense		13,232		13,407
Provision for income taxes		3,140		3,881
Depreciation		46,998		46,199
EBITDA	$	68,760	$	69,061

- END -