![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/8-K/0001193125-23-202028/g539417dsp1.jpg)
“A key priority is reducing our net leverage ratio towards our short-term target of at-or-below 3.0x, so we were pleased to see our net debt to trailing twelve-month Adjusted EBITDA decline to 3.3x at the end of the second quarter, down from 3.9x at the end of 2022,” stated Joseph Doolan, Chief Financial Officer of Manitex. “Our total liquidity of $31 million, which includes total cash and availability under our credit facilities, provides us with ample financial flexibility to support our organic growth initiatives.”
“Momentum in our key end markets remains robust, and as we continue to execute on our Elevating Excellence strategy, we will further position the Company to benefit from these favorable trends,” continued Coffey. “Based on our solid first half results, sustained margin improvements, and continued new order momentum, including several large orders received subsequent to quarter end, we remain on track to achieve our 2023 financial guidance, which calls for low double-digit adjusted EBITDA growth in 2023.”
SECOND QUARTER 2023 PERFORMANCE
The Company reported net revenue of $73.5 million in the second quarter 2023, an increase of 5.7% versus the prior-year period, driven by growth in the lifting segment, as well as contribution from the Rabern Rentals acquisition completed in April 2022. Revenue growth was negatively impacted by $2.6 million, or approximately 3.7%, due to lower truck chassis sales, which are largely pass-through revenue items. The Company continues to expect lower chassis sales to be a headwind to reported sales growth and a benefit to reported gross margin in 2023.
Lifting Equipment Segment revenue was $66.3 million in the second quarter 2023, an increase of 4.6%, versus the prior-year period, or an increase of 8.7% when excluding the impact of truck chassis sales in the quarter. The increased output is a direct reflection of process centered improvements attained from our Elevating Excellence strategy and favorable demand trends in both domestic and international markets. In North America, strong project activity from energy and infrastructure markets is driving robust activity levels, while international markets are benefitting from infrastructure projects in Europe and continued strength from South American mining activity.
Rental Equipment Segment revenue was $7.3 million in the second quarter 2023, supported by strong end-market demand in key North Texas markets, including contribution from the Lubbock, Texas location that opened in March 2023. The Rabern business benefitted from the deployment of new rental fleet acquired in 2022, pricing gains, and a modest improvement in utilization.
Total gross profit was $14.9 million in the second quarter, an increase from $12.4 million in the prior-year period due to revenue growth, benefits from the Company’s operational improvement initiatives, and improved profitability in rental. As a result of these factors, gross profit margin increased 250 basis points to 20.3% during the second quarter 2023. These factors were partially offset by higher US-based steel prices, which were a headwind during the quarter as prices spiked during the first half of 2023. The Company has successfully implemented product surcharges and price increases in an effort to offset the rising price of steel, and these measures are expected to benefit margins beginning in the third quarter of 2023.
SG&A expense was $10.8 million for the second quarter, compared to $11.4 million for the comparable period last year. The decrease was primarily related to restructuring and other expenses included in last year’s results. R&D costs of $0.8 million were up modestly from $0.7 million last year.