The registration statement includes combined company pro forma U.S. GAAP revenues of $1.9 billion and adjusted EBITDA of $148 million in 2024 Upon the closing of the proposed merger, the combined company will be named "Aebi Schmidt Group" and listed and traded on Nasdaq under the symbol "AEBI" NOVI, Mich., April 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Shyft Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SHYF) ("Shyft"), the North American leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing, assembly and upfit for the commercial, retail and service spec ...

Company Overview - The Shyft Group, Inc. is the North American leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing, assembly, and upfit for commercial, retail, and service specialty vehicle markets [2] - The company serves a diverse customer base including delivery companies, government entities, trades, and utility sectors [2] - The Shyft Group operates two core business units: Shyft Fleet Vehicles and Services™ and Shyft Specialty Vehicles™ [2] - The company employs approximately 2,900 employees and contractors across multiple facilities in the U.S. and Mexico [2] Financial Performance - The Shyft Group reported sales of $786 million in 2024 [2] Recent Events - Management will attend the 37th Annual ROTH Conference in Dana Point, California on March 17, 2025, and will host one-on-one meetings with institutional investors [1]

Core Insights - Utilimaster, a brand of The Shyft Group, is reintroducing the Trademaster Service Body and debuting the Marketplace Dry Freight Truck to meet evolving service and delivery needs in the commercial vehicle market [1][3] Product Overview - The Utilimaster Trademaster Service Body features enhanced durability, smart storage, and integrated safety features, designed specifically for tradespeople to improve efficiency on the job [2][3] - The Marketplace Dry Freight Truck is engineered to maximize payload capacity while being 900 pounds lighter than comparable models, optimizing efficiency for service and delivery fleets [4][5] Strategic Focus - The introduction of these vehicles reflects the company's commitment to innovation driven by customer needs, particularly in response to challenges such as electrification and increasing delivery demands [5] - The recent merger agreement with Aebi Schmidt aims to expand product offerings and improve efficiencies, enhancing competitive growth in the specialty vehicle market [5] Company Background - The Shyft Group is recognized as the North American leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing, with a diverse portfolio that includes brands like Utilimaster and Blue Arc EV Solutions [8][9] - The company reported sales of $786 million in 2024 and employs approximately 2,900 individuals across multiple facilities in North America [9]

Core Insights - The Shyft Group, Inc. celebrates its 50th anniversary and showcases innovations at NTEA Work Truck Week 2025, emphasizing its legacy in specialty vehicle manufacturing and commitment to performance, durability, and sustainability [1][3][4] Company Overview - The Shyft Group is a leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing, assembly, and upfit for commercial, retail, and service markets, with a diverse portfolio of trusted brands [5][10] - The company reported sales of $786 million in 2024 and employs approximately 2,900 individuals across various facilities in North America and Mexico [10] Recent Developments - A merger agreement with Aebi Schmidt has been announced, aimed at enhancing product offerings and operational efficiencies, ultimately providing tailored solutions for customers [3] - The company is focused on expanding capabilities to better serve customers and drive growth [3] Innovations and Product Offerings - The Shyft Group's booth at NTEA Work Truck Week will feature advancements in electrification, fleet technology, and upfit solutions, including the Blue Arc Class 4 EV with a range of over 200 miles [2][9] - Featured vehicles include the Utilimaster Trademaster, Marketplace Dry Freight, Aeromaster Walk-In-Van, and various lightweight and durable solutions designed for different industries [6][7] Event Highlights - A press conference is scheduled for March 5, where leadership will discuss the company's advancements and vision for fleet mobility [8] - Attendees can participate in Ride & Drive sessions to experience the Blue Arc Class 4 EV firsthand [9]

Core Viewpoint - The Shyft Group is expanding its collaboration with Isuzu North America to enhance its business operations and establish new facilities in South Carolina, which is expected to create new revenue opportunities and strengthen their market position [1][2][5]. Group 1: Collaboration and Expansion - The Shyft Group has had a partnership with Isuzu since 2011, and the recent expansion aims to enhance capabilities and deliver greater value to both companies [2][3]. - A dedicated upfit and modification center will be developed near Isuzu's new production facility in Greenville, South Carolina, to support vehicle modifications and services [3][4]. - Shyft will continue to assemble key Isuzu vehicle lines at its Michigan campus during the transition to the new facility, ensuring production continuity [2][5]. Group 2: New Production Facility - Isuzu's new 1,000,000-square-foot facility in Greenville is expected to consolidate production and logistics operations, enhancing efficiency and supporting growth in North America [5]. - Initial production at the Greenville facility is anticipated to begin in 2027, with a capacity to produce up to 50,000 vehicles annually and create over 700 jobs [5]. - The transition to the new facility will be gradual to minimize disruptions and ensure a reliable supply of vehicles [5]. Group 3: Market Alignment - Shyft is preparing to introduce a new body program tailored for the North American market, aligning its manufacturing capabilities with the growing demand for specialized commercial vehicles [4]. - The collaboration aims to position Shyft as a long-term provider of upfit and vehicle solutions for Isuzu's North American operations [3].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported fourth quarter sales of $201.4 million, slightly down from $202.3 million in the prior year [17] - GAAP net loss was $3.4 million or $0.10 per share, compared to a net loss of $4.4 million or $0.13 per share in the previous year [17] - Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $15.9 million or 7.9% of sales, up from $2.3 million or 1.1% of sales in the fourth quarter of 2023 [18] - Adjusted net income for the quarter was $5 million, with adjusted EPS increasing to $0.15 per share compared to a loss of $900,000 or a negative $0.03 per share in the fourth quarter of 2023 [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fleet Vehicles & Services segment achieved sales of $110.7 million, down 7% compared to $119 million a year ago, with adjusted EBITDA improving to $12.1 million from a loss of $2.6 million a year ago [19][20] - Specialty Vehicles segment reported fourth quarter sales of $87.5 million, a 5% increase from $83.4 million in the prior year, with adjusted EBITDA at $16.6 million or 19% of sales [21][22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fleet Vehicles & Services backlog was $244.8 million at year-end, down 24.7% versus 2023, reflecting continued softness in the parcel market [20] - Specialty Vehicles backlog was $68.5 million at the end of the year, down 18.8% versus 2023, primarily due to a decrease in motorhome orders [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company announced a proposed merger with Aebi Schmidt, aiming to create a competitive leader in the specialty vehicles market with enhanced scale and capabilities [8][28] - The focus remains on driving growth and profitability improvement, with expectations of a modest recovery in parcel and motorhome markets in the second half of 2025 [24][25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed caution regarding near-term demand for parcel and motorhome vehicles, expecting softness to persist through midyear [24] - The company anticipates year-over-year growth as Blue Arc production is underway, aiming for near breakeven profitability for the full year [25] Other Important Information - The company achieved a solid balance sheet with net leverage less than 2x, allowing flexibility to invest in strategic initiatives [11] - The company successfully shifted EV trucks to FedEx, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to sustainable fleet operations [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on Blue Arc orders and delivery cadence - Management confirmed they are in production for FedEx orders and have vehicles performing well in the field, but additional orders are needed to fulfill the $50 million sales target [40][46] Question: Outlook for Fleet Vehicle segment and parcel demand recovery - Management is in close contact with key parcel customers and expects a replacement cycle to kick in, guiding for recovery in the second half of the year [51] Question: Specialty Vehicle order flow and motorhome market weakness - Weakness in the motorhome market is noted, but strong orders are expected in the work truck segment, with anticipation of order increases in the second half of the year [55] Question: Infrastructure growth expectations post-merger - The merger with Aebi Schmidt is expected to accelerate growth, particularly in the infrastructure segment, although specific details on Aebi Schmidt's current performance were not disclosed [66] Question: Sustainability of Fleet Vehicles segment margins - Management indicated that operational efficiencies have driven margin improvements, and they expect to maintain low double-digit margins moving forward [69] Question: Impact of tariffs on pricing and supply chain - The company is actively evaluating tariff scenarios and has implemented strategies to mitigate risks, including potential price increases where necessary [76]

分组1 - The Shyft Group reported quarterly earnings of $0.15 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.16 per share, compared to a loss of $0.03 per share a year ago [1] - The company posted revenues of $201.43 million for the quarter, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.58%, and down from $202.33 million year-over-year [3] - The stock has gained approximately 6.6% since the beginning of the year, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 4.5% [4] 分组2 - The current consensus EPS estimate for the coming quarter is $0.07 on revenues of $214.1 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $0.86 on revenues of $863.5 million [8] - The Zacks Industry Rank for Automotive - Original Equipment is currently in the bottom 37% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating potential challenges for the sector [9] - The estimate revisions trend for The Shyft Group is favorable, resulting in a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) for the stock, suggesting expected outperformance in the near future [7]

Financial Performance - Total sales decreased by $86.0 million, or 9.9%, to $786.2 million in 2024 from $872.2 million in 2023[211] - Gross margin increased to 20.0% in 2024 from 17.2% in 2023, with gross profit rising by $6.8 million, or 4.5%, to $157.2 million[218] - Net loss for 2024 was ($2.8) million, a decrease of $9.3 million, or 143.0%, compared to net income of $6.5 million in 2023[223] - Net income for the year ended December 31, 2024, was a loss of $2.8 million, compared to a net income of $6.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023[227] - Sales in the Fleet Vehicles and Services (FVS) segment decreased by $107.4 million, or 19.8%, to $434.2 million in 2024 from $541.6 million in 2023[232] - Adjusted EBITDA for the FVS segment increased by $0.9 million to $31.2 million in 2024, representing a margin of 7.2% compared to 5.6% in 2023[233] - Sales in the Specialty Vehicles (SV) segment increased by $13.2 million, or 3.9%, to $347.9 million in 2024 compared to $334.7 million in 2023[236] - Adjusted EBITDA for the SV segment was $67.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $1.1 million compared to $66.2 million in 2023[237] Operating Expenses and Cash Flow - Operating expenses increased by $9.5 million, or 6.6%, to $153.1 million in 2024, with research and development expenses decreasing by $8.9 million[219] - Cash provided by operating activities decreased by $26.1 million to $30.1 million in 2024 from $56.2 million in 2023[242] - The company used $61.2 million in investing activities during 2024, a $40.1 million increase compared to $21.1 million in 2023, primarily due to increased acquisitions[243] - The company generated $37.0 million of cash through financing activities in 2024, compared to $36.7 million used in 2023[244] Debt and Financial Obligations - Total debt amounts to $106.289 million, with $5.890 million due within one year and $100.399 million due in 1-3 years[258] - Operating lease obligations total $48.226 million, with $10.924 million due within one year[258] - As of December 31, 2024, the company had $95 million in debt under its revolving credit facility, with a potential $1 million increase in interest expense for a 100 basis point rise in rates[288] - Interest expense increased by $2.0 million to $8.5 million in 2024 due to additional borrowings and higher borrowing costs[220] Strategic Initiatives - The company acquired Independent Truck Upfitters for cash consideration of $49.9 million, with an additional earn-out of up to $8.0 million, enhancing service body product offerings[213] - The company announced the deployment of the Rapid Driver Cooling System in 5,860 walk-in vans, improving cabin temperature efficiency[213] - The merger with Aebi Schmidt is expected to close in mid-2025, with the company holding approximately 48% of the new entity's shares[205][208] - The company aims to leverage a combination of borrowings and equity capital for future expansion[202] Market and Risk Factors - Order backlog at the end of 2024 was $313.2 million, down from $409.3 million at the end of 2023[211] - Order backlog for the FVS segment decreased by $80.2 million, or 24.7%, to $244.8 million at December 31, 2024, primarily due to softer parcel delivery vehicle demand[235] - The company is exposed to commodity price fluctuations, particularly in steel and aluminum, and engages in pre-buys to mitigate risks[289] - No material changes in market risk exposures are expected in the near term, defined as one year following the most recent balance sheet[290] Other Financial Information - The company has authorized a stock repurchase of up to $250 million, with no expiration date on the authorization[259] - Dividends of $0.05 per share were paid in 2024 and 2023, with consistent payments across multiple quarters[261] - Goodwill impairment testing showed no risk of impairment for both reporting units as of October 1, 2024[273] - Revenue recognition is primarily based on contracts with customers, with most revenue recognized at the point of sale or over time as obligations are fulfilled[264] - The company evaluates deferred income tax assets based on future taxable income forecasts and adjusts valuation allowances as necessary[281]

Sales Performance - Fourth quarter 2024 sales were $201.4 million, a decrease of $0.9 million, or 0.4%, from $202.3 million in Q4 2023[5] - Full-year 2024 sales totaled $786.2 million, down $86.0 million, or 9.9%, from $872.2 million in 2023[5] - Sales for the year ended December 31, 2024, were $786,176 thousand, a decrease of 9.9% compared to $872,198 thousand in 2023[20] Financial Metrics - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2024 was $15.9 million, or 7.9% of sales, an increase from $2.3 million, or 1.1% of sales in Q4 2023[5] - Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2024, is $48,848 thousand, compared to $39,968 thousand in 2023, an increase of 22.9%[28] - Adjusted EBITDA for 2025 is projected to be between $62 million and $72 million[6] - Adjusted earnings per share for 2025 are expected to range from $0.69 to $0.92[6] Income and Profitability - Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2024, was $4,107 thousand, down 39.0% from $6,753 thousand in 2023[20] - Net income attributable to The Shyft Group Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2024, was a loss of $2,795 thousand, compared to a profit of $6,496 thousand in 2023[20] - Net income for the three months ended December 31, 2024, is a loss of $3,413,000, or (1.7%) of sales, compared to a loss of $4,417,000, or (2.2%) of sales in the same period of 2023[43] - Adjusted net income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, is $14,975,000, which is 1.9% of sales, down from $18,691,000 (2.1% of sales) in 2023[43] Cash Flow and Assets - Free cash flow for the year ended December 31, 2024, is $16,490,000, a decrease from $35,630,000 in 2023, indicating a decline of 53.7%[46] - The company reported a net cash provided by operating activities of $30,056,000 for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $56,244,000 in 2023, reflecting a decrease of 46.6%[46] - Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period increased to $15,780 thousand in 2024 from $9,957 thousand in 2023[22] - Total assets increased to $568,748 thousand in 2024 from $530,049 thousand in 2023, representing a growth of 7.5%[18] Backlog and Future Expectations - The consolidated backlog as of December 31, 2024, was $313.2 million, down $96.0 million, or 23.5%, compared to $409.3 million as of December 31, 2023[5] - The company expects full-year 2025 sales to be between $870 million and $970 million, representing a 17% year-over-year increase at the midpoint[6] - Total backlog as of December 31, 2024, is $313,244,000, down from $439,423,000 as of March 31, 2024, representing a decrease of 28.7%[33] - The total backlog for Fleet Vehicles and Services decreased to $244,784,000 as of December 31, 2024, from $356,089,000 as of March 31, 2024, a decline of 31.2%[33] Research and Development - Research and development expenses decreased to $16,319 thousand in 2024 from $25,185 thousand in 2023, a reduction of 35.3%[20] Mergers and Acquisitions - The pending merger with Aebi Schmidt is expected to enhance growth and operational capabilities, with a target closure by mid-2025[5][7] - The company acquired a business for $47,631 thousand in 2024, significantly impacting cash flows from investing activities[22] Other Expenses - The company incurred transaction-related expenses of $8,530,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2024[43] - Non-cash stock-based compensation expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, is $10,250,000, compared to $7,834,000 in 2023, an increase of 30.5%[43] Current Liabilities - Total current liabilities remained relatively stable at $182,274 thousand in 2024 compared to $182,831 thousand in 2023[18] Forward-Looking Statements - The company does not provide reconciliations of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures due to the inherent difficulty of forecasting certain items[39]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of value investing and highlights specific stocks, The Shyft Group (SHYF) and Strattec Security (STRT), as potential undervalued opportunities based on various financial metrics [2][9]. Group 1: The Shyft Group (SHYF) - SHYF has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and an A grade for Value, indicating strong potential as a value stock [4][9]. - The stock's Forward P/E ratio is 13.68, significantly lower than the industry's average of 21.61, with a historical range between 11.89 and 26.31 [4]. - SHYF's P/B ratio is 1.66, compared to the industry's average of 3.65, with a historical range of 1.37 to 2.32 [5]. - The P/S ratio for SHYF is 0.53, which is lower than the industry's average of 0.6, suggesting it may be undervalued [6]. Group 2: Strattec Security (STRT) - STRT has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and an A grade for Value, making it another attractive option for value investors [6][9]. - The stock is trading at a forward earnings multiple of 16.92, lower than the industry's P/E of 21.61, with a historical range of 12.04 to 26.50 [7]. - STRT's P/B ratio is 0.85, significantly below the industry's average of 3.65, with a historical range of 0.40 to 0.85 [8]. - The PEG ratio for STRT is 1.69, compared to the industry's PEG of 1.17, indicating potential for growth relative to its valuation [7].