wms-ex991

HILLIARD, Ohio – (November 8, 2018) – Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE: WMS) (“ADS” or the “Company”), a leading global manufacturer of water management products and solutions for non-residential, residential, infrastructure and agricultural applications, today announced financial results for the second fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2018.

Scott Barbour, President and Chief Executive Officer of ADS commented, “We delivered solid top-line performance this quarter, reflecting growth in our domestic non-residential and residential construction end markets, double-digit growth in International sales and strong performance from Allied products. Net sales growth of 1.4% was negatively impacted by record rainfall in September throughout many of our key markets as well as the unfavorable comparison to September of last year when sales demand was accelerated due to Hurricane Irma and our corresponding pricing action. Absent these two items, our net sales growth for the quarter would have been mid- to high-single digits. Importantly, this quarter also marks our fourth consecutive quarter of year-over-year margin improvement driven by our disciplined execution, favorable pricing, and cost containment initiatives. As we look ahead, we will continue to focus on our key growth and execution strategies to drive above-market growth, while continuing to mitigate inflationary pressures, increase profitability and drive shareholder value. We remain confident in our outlook for the balance of the year, including the health of our core construction end markets, and look forward to building on our strong first half performance.”

Net sales increased 1.4% to $406.6 million, as compared to $401.0 million in the prior year. Domestic net sales decreased slightly to $351.3 million as compared to $351.9 million in the prior year. International net sales increased 12.4% to $55.3 million as compared to $49.2 million in the prior year, driven by sales growth in Canada, Mexico and our Exports business.

Gross profit increased 6.2% to $95.4 million, as compared to $89.8 million the prior year quarter. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit increased 110 basis points to 23.5%, compared to 22.4% in the prior year. The increase is primarily due to favorable pricing and cost containment, partially offset by higher inflationary costs, including resin and transportation expenses, among others.

Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) increased 6.9% to $71.5 million, as compared to $66.9 million in the prior year quarter. As a percentage of net sales, Adjusted EBITDA increased 90 basis points to 17.6% as compared to 16.7% in the prior year. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA margin was largely attributed to the factors mentioned above.

Reconciliations of GAAP to Non-GAAP financial measures for Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow have been provided in the financial statement tables included in this press release. An explanation of these measures is also included below under the heading “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Net sales increased 4.6% to $794.4 million, as compared to $759.4 million in the prior year. Domestic net sales increased 3.3% to $693.8 million as compared to $671.4 million in the prior year, primarily driven by solid construction market demand, favorable

pricing and strong Allied product sales. International net sales increased 14.3% to $100.6 million as compared to $88.0 million in the prior year, driven by growth in Canada, Mexico and our Exports business.

Gross profit increased 10.5% to $195.1 million, as compared to $176.5 million the prior year. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit increased 130 basis points to 24.6% compared to 23.2% in the prior year. The increase is primarily due to favorable pricing and cost containment, partially offset by higher inflationary costs, including resin and transportation expenses, among others.

Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) increased 15.3% to $146.7 million, as compared to $127. 2 million in the prior year. As a percentage of net sales, Adjusted EBITDA increased 170 basis points to 18.5% as compared to 16.8% in the prior year. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA margin was largely attributed to the factors mentioned above.

Net cash provided by operating activities increased 104.9% to $58.2 million, as compared to $28.4 million in the prior year. Free cash flow (Non-GAAP) increased $37.5 million to $38.9 million, as compared to $1.4 million in the prior year. Net debt (total debt and capital lease obligations net of cash) was $346.6 million as of September 30, 2018, a decrease of $15.6 million from March 31, 2018.

Based on current visibility, backlog of existing orders and business trends, the Company reaffirmed its net sales and Adjusted EBITDA targets for fiscal 2019. Net sales are expected to be in the range of $1.375 billion to $1.425 billion and Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of $225 to $240 million. Capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $50 to $60 million.

The Company will host an investor conference call and webcast on Thursday, November 8, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The live call can be accessed by dialing 1-844-484-0244 (US toll-free) or 1-647-689-5142 (international) and asking to be connected to the Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. call. The live webcast will also be accessible via the "Events Calendar” section of the Company’s Investor Relations website, www.investors.ads-pipe.com. An archived version of the webcast will be available for one year following the call.

Advanced Drainage Systems is the leading manufacturer of high performance thermoplastic corrugated pipe, providing a comprehensive suite of water management products and superior drainage solutions for use in the construction and infrastructure marketplace. Its innovative products are used across a broad range of end markets and applications, including non-residential, residential, agriculture and infrastructure applications. The Company has established a leading position in many of these end markets by leveraging its national sales and distribution platform, overall product breadth and scale and manufacturing excellence. Founded in 1966, the Company operates a global network of approximately 55 manufacturing plants and over 30 distribution centers. To learn more about ADS, please visit the Company’s website at www.ads-pipe.com.

Certain statements in this press release may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts but rather are based on the Company’s current expectations, estimates and projections regarding the Company’s business, operations and other factors relating thereto. Words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those reflected in forward-looking statements relating to our operations and business include: fluctuations in the price and availability of resins and other raw materials and our ability to pass any increased costs of raw materials on to our customers in a timely manner; volatility in general business and economic conditions in the markets in which we operate, including, without limitation, factors relating to availability of credit, interest rates, fluctuations in capital and business and consumer confidence; cyclicality and seasonality of the non-residential and residential construction markets and infrastructure spending; the risks of increasing competition in our existing and future markets, including competition from both manufacturers of high performance thermoplastic corrugated pipe and manufacturers of products using alternative materials; our ability to continue to convert current demand for concrete, steel and PVC pipe products into demand for our high performance thermoplastic corrugated pipe and Allied Products; the effect of weather or seasonality; the loss of any of our significant customers; the risks of doing business internationally; the risks of conducting a portion of our operations through joint ventures; our ability to expand into new geographic or product markets; our ability to achieve the acquisition component of our growth strategy; the risk associated with manufacturing processes; our ability to manage our assets; the risks associated with our product warranties; our ability to manage our supply purchasing and customer credit policies; the risks associated with our self-insured programs; our ability to control labor costs and to attract, train and retain highly-qualified employees and key personnel; our ability to protect our intellectual property rights; changes in laws and regulations, including environmental laws and regulations; our ability to

project product mix; the risks associated with our current levels of indebtedness; fluctuations in our effective tax rate, including from the recently enacted Tax Cuts and Jobs Act; changes to our operating results, cash flows and financial condition attributable to the recently enacted Tax Cuts and Jobs Act; our ability to meet future capital requirements and fund our liquidity needs; the risk that additional information may arise that would require the Company to make additional adjustments or revisions or to restate the financial statements and other financial data for certain prior periods and any future periods, any delay in the filing of any filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”); the review of potential weaknesses or deficiencies in the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, and discovering weaknesses of which we are not currently aware or which have not been detected and the other risks and uncertainties described in the Company’s filings with the SEC. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time and it is not possible for the Company to predict all risks and uncertainties that could have an impact on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking information included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that the Company’s expectations, objectives or plans will be achieved in the timeframe anticipated or at all. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the Company’s forward-looking statements and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)	2018			2017			2018			2017
Net sales	$	406,555		$	401,049		$	794,402		$	759,408
Cost of goods sold		311,182			311,248			599,338			582,868
Gross profit		95,373			89,801			195,064			176,540
Operating expenses:
Selling		24,731			24,346			48,896			47,445
General and administrative		21,584			23,887			42,966			50,563
Loss on disposal of assets and costs from exit and disposal activities		324			5,121			1,428			8,544
Intangible amortization		1,985			2,015			3,969			4,059
Income from operations		46,749			34,432			97,805			65,929
Other expense:
Interest expense		4,531			5,055			8,333			9,534
Derivative gains and other income, net		94			(2,539	)		(720	)		(3,493	)
Income before income taxes		42,124			31,916			90,192			59,888
Income tax expense		12,194			13,437			26,478			23,183
Equity in net loss (income) of unconsolidated affiliates		558			520			691			272
Net income		29,372			17,959			63,023			36,433
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		702			96			2,073			828
Net income attributable to ADS		28,670			17,863			60,950			35,605
Dividends to redeemable convertible preferred stockholders		(478	)		(470	)		(975	)		(959	)
Dividends paid to unvested restricted stockholders		(15	)		(16	)		(30	)		(35	)
Net income available to common stockholders and participating securities		28,177			17,377			59,945			34,611
Undistributed income allocated to participating securities		(2,310	)		(1,397	)		(5,022	)		(2,830	)
Net income available to common stockholders	$	25,867		$	15,980		$	54,923		$	31,781

Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic		56,929			55,269			56,776			55,286
Diluted		57,558			55,893			57,374			55,953
Net income per share:
Basic	$	0.45		$	0.29		$	0.97		$	0.57
Diluted	$	0.45		$	0.29		$	0.96		$	0.57
Cash dividends declared per share	$	0.08		$	0.07		$	0.16		$	0.14

	As of
(Amounts in thousands)	September 30, 2018			March 31, 2018
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash	$	17,612		$	17,587
Receivables, net		236,968			171,961
Inventories		247,161			263,792
Other current assets		7,219			5,113
Total current assets		508,960			458,453
Property, plant and equipment, net		402,238			399,381
Other assets:
Goodwill		103,002			103,017
Intangible assets, net		40,693			44,437
Other assets		39,342			37,954
Total assets	$	1,094,235		$	1,043,242
LIABILITIES, MEZZANINE EQUITY AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of debt obligations	$	26,395		$	26,848
Current maturities of capital lease obligations		22,970			22,007
Accounts payable		95,861			105,521
Other accrued liabilities		65,116			60,560
Accrued income taxes		10,455			6,307
Total current liabilities		220,797			221,243
Long-term debt obligations, net		252,524			270,900
Long-term capital lease obligations		62,283			59,963
Deferred tax liabilities		35,750			32,304
Other liabilities		24,721			25,023
Total liabilities		596,075			609,433
Mezzanine equity:
Redeemable convertible preferred stock		285,117			291,247
Deferred compensation — unearned ESOP shares		(185,376	)		(190,168	)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries		8,968			8,471
Total mezzanine equity		108,709			109,550
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock		11,433			11,426
Paid-in capital		381,475			364,908
Common stock in treasury, at cost		(9,035	)		(8,277	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(22,843	)		(21,247	)
Retained deficit		11,631			(39,214	)
Total ADS stockholders’ equity		372,661			307,596
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries		16,790			16,663
Total stockholders’ equity		389,451			324,259
Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and stockholders’ equity	$	1,094,235		$	1,043,242

	Six Months Ended September 30,
(Amounts in thousands)	2018			2017
Cash Flow from Operating Activities
Net income	$	63,023		$	36,433
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		35,363			37,941
Deferred income taxes		3,221			(801	)
Loss on disposal of assets and costs from exit and disposal activities		1,428			8,544
ESOP and stock-based compensation		11,760			8,709
Amortization of deferred financing charges		387			550
Fair market value adjustments to derivatives		(901	)		(590	)
Equity in net loss (income) of unconsolidated affiliates		691			272
Other operating activities		(1,342	)		12,078
Changes in working capital:
Receivables		(64,649	)		(111,463	)
Inventories		16,378			46,205
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(2,116	)		256
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities		(5,082	)		(9,745	)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		58,161			28,389
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Capital expenditures		(19,299	)		(27,035	)
Other investing activities		429			(2,401	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(18,870	)		(29,436	)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Proceeds from Revolving Credit Facility		250,100			335,950
Payments on Revolving Credit Facility		(243,400	)		(273,650	)
Payments on Term Loan		-			(72,500	)
Proceeds from Senior Loan		-			75,000
Payments on Senior Notes		(25,000	)		(25,000	)
Debt issuance costs		-			(2,268	)
Payments of notes, mortgages, and other debt		(465	)		(1,450	)
Payments on capital lease obligations		(11,619	)		(12,217	)
Cash dividends paid		(11,618	)		(8,673	)
Proceeds from option exercises		3,473			100
Repurchase of common stock		-			(7,947	)
Other financing activities		(561	)		(1,171	)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(39,090	)		6,174
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		(176	)		(394	)
Net change in cash		25			4,733
Cash at beginning of period		17,587			6,450
Cash at end of period	$	17,612		$	11,183

The following tables set forth net sales by reportable segment for each of the periods indicated.

	Three Months Ended							Six Months Ended
(Amounts in thousands	September 30,				%			September 30,				%
except percentages)	2018		2017		Variance			2018		2017		Variance
Domestic
Pipe	$	249,324	$	256,175		(2.7	%)	$	491,350	$	484,798		1.4	%
Allied Products		101,945		95,709		6.5	%		202,417		186,583		8.5	%
Domestic net sales	$	351,269	$	351,884		(0.2	%)	$	693,767	$	671,381		3.3	%
International
Pipe	$	44,008	$	38,375		14.7	%	$	78,456	$	68,329		14.8	%
Allied Products		11,278		10,790		4.5	%		22,179		19,698		12.6	%
International net sales	$	55,286	$	49,165		12.4	%	$	100,635	$	88,027		14.3	%
Consolidated
Pipe	$	293,332	$	294,550		(0.4	%)	$	569,806	$	553,127		3.0	%
Allied Products		113,223		106,499		6.3	%		224,596		206,281		8.9	%
Net sales	$	406,555	$	401,049		1.4	%	$	794,402	$	759,408		4.6	%

The Company established an ESOP to enable employees to acquire stock ownership in ADS in the form of redeemable convertible preferred shares (“preferred shares”). All preferred shares will be converted to common shares by plan maturity, which will be no later than March 2023. The ESOP’s conversion of preferred shares into common shares will have a meaningful impact on net income, net income per share and common shares outstanding. The common shares outstanding will be greater after conversion.

The impact of the ESOP on net income includes the ESOP deferred compensation attributable to the preferred shares allocated to employee accounts during the period, which is a non-cash charge to our earnings and not deductible for income tax purposes.

The conversion of the preferred shares will increase the number of common shares outstanding. Preferred shares will convert to common shares at plan maturity, or upon retirement, disability, death or vested terminations over the life of the plan.

This press release contains financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). ADS management uses non-GAAP measures in its analysis of the Company’s performance. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the comparable GAAP results available in the accompanying tables.

This press release includes references to Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow, non-GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures are used in addition to and in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. These measures are not intended to be substitutes for those reported in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies, even when similar terms are used to identify such measures.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures that comprise net income before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, non-cash charges and certain other expenses. The Company’s definition of Adjusted EBITDA may differ from similar measures used by other companies, even when similar terms are used to identify such measures. Adjusted EBITDA is a key metric used by management and the Company’s board of directors to assess financial performance and evaluate the effectiveness of the Company’s business strategies. Accordingly, management believes that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results in the same manner as the Company’s management and board of directors. In order to provide investors with a meaningful reconciliation, the Company has provided below reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA to net income.

Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure that comprises cash flow from operating activities less capital expenditures. Free Cash Flow is a measure used by management and the Company’s board of directors to assess the Company’s ability to generate cash. Accordingly, management believes that Free Cash Flow provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our ability to generate cash flow from operations after capital expenditures. In order to provide investors with a meaningful reconciliation, the Company has provided below a reconciliation of cash flow from operating activities to Free Cash Flow.

The following tables present a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income and Free Cash Flow to Cash Flow from Operating Activities, the most comparable GAAP measures, for each of the periods indicated.

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
(Amounts in thousands)	2018			2017			2018			2017
Net income	$	29,372		$	17,959		$	63,023		$	36,433
Depreciation and amortization		17,536			19,720			35,363			37,941
Interest expense		4,531			5,055			8,333			9,534
Income tax expense		12,194			13,437			26,478			23,183
EBITDA		63,633			56,171			133,197			107,091
Derivative fair value adjustments		154			(781	)		142			(590	)
Foreign currency transaction gains		818			(1,579	)		647			(2,448	)
Loss on disposal of assets and costs from exit and disposal activities		324			5,121			1,428			8,544
Unconsolidated affiliates interest, tax, depreciation and amortization		271			715			650			1,423
Contingent consideration remeasurement		(9	)		6			(7	)		32
Stock-based compensation expense		1,812			1,810			3,371			3,500
ESOP deferred compensation		4,368			2,595			8,389			5,209
Executive retirement (benefit) expense		50			894			(278	)		909
Restatement-related (benefit) costs		35			1,042			(1,196	)		2,502
Transaction costs		65			890			321			1,507
Adjusted EBITDA	$	71,521		$	66,884		$	146,664		$	127,679

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2018					2017
(Amounts in thousands)	Domestic			International		Domestic			International
Net income	$	26,617		$	2,755	$	16,932		$	1,027
Depreciation and amortization		15,638			1,898		17,658			2,062
Interest expense		4,434			97		4,971			84
Income tax expense		11,518			676		12,185			1,252
EBITDA		58,207			5,426		51,746			4,425
Derivative fair value adjustments		154			-		(781	)		-
Foreign currency transaction gains		-			818		-			(1,579	)
Loss on disposal of assets and costs from exit and disposal activities		(137	)		461		4,994			127
Unconsolidated affiliates interest, tax, depreciation and amortization		-			271		277			438
Contingent consideration remeasurement		(9	)		-		6			-
Stock-based compensation expense		1,812			-		1,810			-
ESOP deferred compensation		4,368			-		2,595			-
Executive retirement (benefit) expense		50			-		894			-
Restatement-related (benefit) costs		35			-		1,042			-
Transaction costs		59			6		890			-
Adjusted EBITDA^(a)	$	64,539		$	6,982	$	63,473		$	3,411

	Six Months Ended September 30,
	2018					2017
(Amounts in thousands)	Domestic			International		Domestic			International
Net income	$	57,206		$	5,817	$	32,082		$	4,351
Depreciation and amortization		31,591			3,772		33,921			4,020
Interest expense		8,191			142		9,356			178
Income tax expense		24,775			1,703		21,700			1,483
EBITDA		121,763			11,434		97,059			10,032
Derivative fair value adjustments		142			-		(590	)		-
Foreign currency transaction gains		-			647		-			(2,448	)
Loss on disposal of assets and costs from exit and disposal activities		872			556		8,313			231
Unconsolidated affiliates interest, tax, depreciation and amortization		-			650		571			852
Contingent consideration remeasurement		(7	)		-		32			-
Stock-based compensation expense (benefit)		3,371			-		3,500			-
ESOP deferred compensation		8,389			-		5,209			-
Executive retirement expense (benefit)		(278	)		-		909			-
Restatement-related costs		(1,196	)		-		2,502			-
Transaction costs		315			6		1,057			-
Adjusted EBITDA^(a)	$	133,371		$	13,293	$	118,562		$	9,117