Broadwind Energy, Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2011 Results

Broadwind Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: BWEN) reported sales of $39.3 million for the second quarter of 2011, a 17% increase compared to $33.6 million in the second quarter of 2010. The increase was attributable to a 48% increase in Tower segment revenues in response to higher demand compared to the prior year second quarter.

The Company reported a net loss from continuing operations of $4.4 million or $0.04 per share in the second quarter of 2011 compared to a loss of $13.2 million or $0.12 per share during the second quarter of 2010. The improvement against second quarter 2010 was the result of the beneficial impact of increased sales, a higher margin mix and the absence of a $4.6 million impairment recognized in the prior year.

The Company reported non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation) of $0.1 million during the second quarter of 2011 compared to a loss of $3.2 million during the second quarter of 2010, due to improved Tower and Gearing segment results, and lower corporate expenses.

Peter C. Duprey, president and chief executive officer, stated, "We are continuing to make progress with the business transformation. With three sequential EBITDA positive quarters behind us, we feel good about the operational momentum we have gained. Our Tower business had a 48% increase in revenue in a difficult market, and in our Gears business, sales to industrial customers exceeded wind customers. Our Gearing and Services businesses had new orders well in excess of sales; our enhanced focus on sales and diversification efforts are starting to have an impact. While we continue to face a challenging wind energy market, we remain focused on the diversification of our customer base and the expansion of our services business where we have strong core competencies.”

For the six months ended June 30, 2011, the Company reported revenue of $82.9 million compared to $55.3 million in the prior year. The increase in revenues was primarily attributable to an 84% increase in Tower segment revenues due to higher production compared to the prior year.

The company reported a loss from continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2011 of $8.5 million, or $0.08 per share, compared to $25.2 million or $0.24 per share for the six months ended June 30, 2010. The improvement was primarily the result of a 50% increase in revenues compared to the prior year as well as the absence of impairment expense taken during the first half of 2010. The net loss for the first half of 2011 was $9.6 million, or $0.09 per share, inclusive of a loss of $1.2 million, or $0.01 per share, from discontinued operations.

Orders and Backlog

The Company booked $22 million in new orders during the second quarter, bringing six-month orders to $67 million, or 80% of sales which is more than double the order intake from the same period for 2010. Second quarter orders of $22 million were concentrated in the gearing segment, where the industrial sales force has been expanded. At June 30, 2011 backlog totaled $210 million, down modestly from $216 million on June 30, 2010.

Segment Results

Towers

Broadwind Energy fabricates specialty weldments for wind, oil and gas, mining and other industrial applications, specializing in the production of wind turbine towers.

Towers segment sales totaled $24.5 million in the second quarter of 2011, compared to $16.5 million in the second quarter of 2010. Sales of wind towers totaled 210 megawatts (MW) in the quarter, up from 87 MW in the second quarter of 2010, due to improved order intake from key customers. The revenue increase was less significant than the volume rise, however, due to a higher proportion of fabrication only towers produced in the 2011 quarter. Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter jumped to $4.1 million in 2011, compared to $0.5 million in 2010, reflecting the improved plant loadings and better fixed cost absorption. Towers segment operating income for the second quarter of 2011 was $2.8 million, compared to an operating loss of $0.6 million in 2010.

Towers segment sales for the six months ended June 30, 2011 totaled $52.7 million compared to $28.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010. The increase in revenues was primarily attributable to an increase of approximately 170% in the MW sold in the first half of 2011 compared to the first half of 2010. Reflecting the stronger volumes and cost management, non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA for the first half of 2011 was $7.7 million compared to $0.4 million in the first half of 2010. Towers segment operating income was $5.2 million in the first half of 2011 compared to a loss of $1.9 million in the first half of 2010.

Gearing

Broadwind Energy engineers, builds and remanufactures precision gears and gearing systems for wind, oil and gas and mining applications.

Gearing segment sales totaled $12.5 million in the second quarter of 2011, compared to $14.3 million in the second quarter of 2010. The decrease was due primarily to a 45% decrease in wind gearing sales, partially offset by an increase in industrial gearing sales of 39% compared to the second quarter of 2010. Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of 2011 was a loss of $0.4 million compared to a loss of $0.8 million in the prior year second quarter. Despite the lower revenue, non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA improved due to a more favorable customer mix, partially offset by additional fees of $0.7 million incurred in the second quarter of 2011. The Gearing segment operating loss for the second quarter of 2011 was $2.8 million, unchanged from a $2.8 million loss in the second quarter of 2010.

Gearing segment sales for the six months ended June 30, 2011 totaled $26.1 million compared to $22.0 million in the prior year. The increase in revenues was primarily attributable to an increase in industrial gearing sales of approximately 62% compared to the prior year, partially offset by a decrease in wind gearing sales of approximately 15%. Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA for the first half of 2011 was a loss of $0.2 million compared to a loss of $3.4 million in the first half of 2010 due in part to the increase in sales as well as a more favorable customer mix, partially offset by additional fees of $0.7 million in the current year. Gearing segment operating loss was $5.2 million in the first half of 2011 compared to a loss of $7.9 million in the first half of 2010.

Technical and Engineering Services

Broadwind Energy remanufactures complex wind turbine components, including gearboxes and blades. The Company also offers comprehensive installation support and operations and maintenance services to the wind industry.

Revenue from the Technical and Engineering Services segment was $2.4 million in the second quarter of 2011, compared with $2.9 million in the second quarter of 2010. The decrease in revenues was primarily the result of the absence of a large blade project performed in the second quarter of 2010 and less oil change and bearing replacement revenue in the current year quarter. Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter was a loss of $1.7 million compared to a loss of $0.9 million in the prior year second quarter. The increased loss reflected the reduction in revenue, the addition of fixed costs to support the new Abilene, Texas based drivetrain repair center, and a one-time settlement arising from a state tax audit. Technical and Engineering Services segment operating loss in the second quarter 2011 was $2.1 million compared to a loss of $6.5 million in the second quarter of 2010, which included a $4.6 million intangible impairment charge.

Technical and Engineering Services segment revenue totaled $4.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011, compared to $4.9 million for the prior year. The decrease in revenues was primarily attributable to a decline in the number of maintenance and service technicians deployed as certain key customers have chosen to reduce outsourcing of their maintenance activities. Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA for the first half of 2011 was a loss of $2.9 million compared to a loss of $2.5 million in the first half of 2010 due primarily to reduced revenues noted above. Technical and Engineering Services segment operating loss was $3.4 million for the first half of 2011 compared to an $8.9 million loss for the first half of 2010.

Corporate and Other

Corporate and other expenses totaled $2.1 million for the quarter and $4.8 million for the first six months, down from the prior year due to lower employee compensation and travel expense partially offset by an increase in legal fees.

Cash and Liquidity

During the quarter, operational working capital rose to $10.3 million, or 7% of annualized sales. At June 30, 2011, cash, marketable securities and short-term investments on hand totaled $10.5 million and the Company’s $10 million credit line was undrawn. Outstanding debt totaled $10.6 million at June 30, 2011. Following quarter-end, the Company received $2.0 million in net proceeds associated with a New Market Tax Credit investment in its Abilene-based drivetrain service center.

About Broadwind Energy, Inc.

Broadwind Energy (NASDAQ: BWEN) applies decades of deep industrial expertise to innovate integrated solutions for customers in the energy and infrastructure markets. From gears and gearing systems for wind, oil and gas and mining applications to wind towers, to comprehensive remanufacturing of gearboxes and blades, to operations and maintenance services, and specialty weldments, we have solutions for the energy needs of the future. With facilities throughout the U.S., Broadwind Energy's talented team of 800 employees is committed to helping customers maximize performance of their investments—quicker, easier and smarter. Find out more at www.bwen.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 — that is, statements related to future, not past, events. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and include any statement that does not directly relate to a current or historical fact. In this context, forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "expect," "plan," "will" or other similar words. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that ultimately may not prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company's forward looking statements may include or relate to the Company's plans to grow its business and its expectations regarding its operations and the business of its customers; the sufficiency of the Company's working capital; and the Company's expectations regarding the state of the wind energy market generally, as well as the Company's expectations relating to the economic downturn and the potential impact on its business and the business of its customers. For further discussion of risks and uncertainties, individuals should refer to the Company's SEC filings. The Company undertakes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after this news release. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

The Company reports its financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). However, the Company’s management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures may provide users of this financial information meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior operating periods. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures can provide additional meaningful reflection of underlying trends of the business because they provide a comparison of historical information that excludes certain infrequently occurring or non-operational items that impact the overall comparability. See the table below for supplemental financial data and corresponding reconciliations to GAAP financial measures for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, the Company’s reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP.